Crossley Aims For Permanent Move

On-loan goalkeeper Mark Crossley has revealed he's keen to stay at Hillsborough on a permanent basis, with his days at Fulham seemingly numbered.

The 37-year-old has seen his career rejuvinated following his loan move until January from Craven Cottage - with the Barnsley-born stopper enjoying some fine form between the sticks.

He told Sky Sports: 'If the opportunity comes to stay any longer, of course I want to stay. It looks like my time is up at Fulham. If Fulham give me the opportunity to come here, then yes, I want to talk about it.

'I got the phone call and I did not hesitate. I want to play football. Fulham agreed to let me go and agreed to pay part of my wages, so I am thankful to them as well. I just didn't want to turn down the opportunity of a big club. It is on my doorstep, I am a local lad.'

And Crossley is aiming to emulate David Seaman and Nigel Martyn and carry on playing the beautiful game until he reaches 40.

He continued: 'Listen, everybody keeps mentioning age but when someone wants you, you keep playing. Nigel Martyn did it, so did David Seaman. I want to play until I am 40.'

Crossley started his illustrious career as a trainee at Nottingham Forest, where he played alongside boss Brian Laws and ended up notching over 300 appearances for Forest between 1987 and 2000.

He enjoyed loan spells at Middlesbrough, Millwall, Stoke and even Manchester United before making the £500,000 move to Craven Cottage in 2003 where he went on to make 19 appearances.

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