Mark Crossley is without doubt a cult hero on the banks of the River Trent, especially when it comes to the Nottingham Forest side of the picturesque setting for football.
The former goalkeeper worked as a coach – and even a caretaker manager – with Notts County, but it’s the part he played between the sticks for Forest that really endeared him to football lovers in Nottingham.
Crossley served the City Ground with distinction. He spent 11 years playing in goal for the Reds, making 393 appearances, working under Brian Clough and Frank Clark most notably.
Crossley still has a say on Forest matters via his popular social media platforms. He’s a likeable ambassador of the Reds to this day and can even be spotted following the club on a matchday.
The Nottingham Forest save Mark Crossley enjoyed the most
Given how many times he played for Forest, a save compilation would make quite the highlight reel when it comes to Crossley.
Most notably, he is the only goalkeeper in professional history to ever save a Matt Le Tissier penalty, with the Southampton man possessing an almost unblemished record from 12 yards.
It’s not that one that he still watches the most this day, however, with Crossley picking out another one when interviewed in 2018 by Nottinghamshire Live.
Instead, he’s gone for another penalty save in the 1991 FA Cup Final from Gary Lineker as the one that he often watches back on old footage.
Seven years ago, he said: “I was asked recently how many times I’ve watched that penalty save from Gary Lineker.
“I’ve lost count to be honest. I love watching it and sitting down with dad and the kids.
“Okay, I may have been on the losing team, but I still watch it every week.
“I think I also saved three penalties in a shootout against Tottenham in 1996 in the fifth round and it’s the buzz it gives you.
“Alan Sugar sent me a bill for £50 for putting a hole in the penalty spot at the other when I was celebrating, I tried to slide on my belly but took a bit of the pitch.
“But they are memories nobody can ever take away and that’s why it’s so special to me.”
Crossley robbed of truly memorable Forest moment in 1991
Forest should have won the FA Cup in 1991 and probably would have done were it not for referee Roger Milford.
Paul Gascoigne gets afforded sympathy from some parts for the serious injury he sustained during that final, but to this day, he gets absolutely zero sympathy from the Forest fan base.
Gascoigne should have been sent off twice before the stretcher came onto the field to cart him off and that would have likely seen Forest close out a famous victory and give Brian Clough the one trophy that escaped him his entire career.
Crossley should have been remembered for a penalty save that led to him being crowned with an FA Cup winner’s medal.
Instead the final will be remembered for all the wrong reasons but it’s nice nonetheless that Crossley has fond memories of this save in a Forest shirt.
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