MARCO Gabbiadini has been forced to retire nearly 19 years after his debut for York City.

The former England under-21 and B international, who turned 36 today, has been advised to quit the game on the advice of medical staff because of a knee injury.

Gabbiadini made his debut for City at the age of 17 as a second-half substitute in a 3-0 Division Three home defeat against Bolton Wanderers.

He went on to enjoy a prolific career with the Minstermen and during later spells at Sunderland, Crystal Palace, Derby County, Birmingham City, Oxford United, Stoke City, Darlington, Northampton Town and his final club Hartlepool, who he joined in the summer.

Gabbiadini returned for a loan spell at Bootham Crescent in 1998, scoring once in seven matches before leaving to play his football briefly in Greece.

He had earlier scored 18 times in 50 starts for City between 1985 and 1987 before following manager Denis Smith to Sunderland.

City sold Gabbiadini for £80,000 to the Wearsiders but the club then collected £750,000 as part of the sell-on clause when the skilful striker moved on to Crystal Palace in a £1.8million deal.

Smith made former Poppleton juniors forward Gabbiadini his first apprentice professional signing as City boss and quickly called on Bobby Robson to select him for England under-18s to avoid Italy, the birthplace of his father, staking a claim.

He scored his first hat-trick at the age of 18 during a 4-1 Freight Rover Trophy victory against Darlington and he now retires with 273 goals to his name in 781 League and cup appearances for his ten clubs, including seven in 12 starts for Second Division Hartlepool this season.

His last two goals came in Hartlepool's 4-0 FA Cup victory over Whitby Town in November when former City striker Gary Browne was playing for the opposition.

Gabbiadini's final match - a 2-0 defeat against Plymouth - was two weeks later.

Having always kept a base in York, Gabbiadini took over the running of the City's Bishops Hotel in the summer and, about his retirement, he said: "The surgeon actually said if it was him then he wouldn't carry on but I wanted to continue.

"All I want to do is get out on the training ground and be with the lads - that's the hardest part of it for me."

City's away match at Hull City on Saturday, February 7 has been made all-ticket for visiting fans.

There are 1,500 tickets available for the clash and they will go on sale at the club office after Sunday's home match with Huddersfield.

City took 1,603 supporters for the club's first trip to the KC Stadium last season.

Tickets will also be on sale at Bootham Crescent after the Lincoln home game on Saturday, January 31 and during normal office hours.

City Reserves will play host to Whitby Town in the North Riding Senior Cup tomorrow night (7.30pm).

Scarborough have been drawn away to Albany Northern League Guisborough Town and that match is scheduled for Wednesday, January 28.

Updated: 10:47 Tuesday, January 20, 2004