The Sardinian striker began his career scoring goals for fun with Tempio, leading the club from the Interregionale all the way to Serie C2. After four seasons and 43 goals, he moved on to Alessandria in Serie C1. Eleven goals over two campaigns were enough to earn him a call-up to Serie B.
He scored eight goals in his debut season with Ternana, then joined Perugia, helping them climb from C1 to B. After just two appearances—and one goal—he dropped back to C2 with Giulianova. Serie B followed again with Pistoiese, then a spell at Torres, before his arrival at Spezia under Mandorlini.
Quick and sharp in the box, he was a clever striker with excellent instincts and a powerful shot from distance. Francolino won the fans over immediately. Tireless and generous in his play, he never held back.
He made his debut on September 19, 1999, in Spezia–Novara (3–0), coming off in the 71st minute. In an explosive attacking unit, he carved out an important role, even if his first goal didn’t come until January: Spezia–Montichiari, another 3–0 win, with the third goal his. From there, the goals followed—against Novara, Prato, Meda, Viareggio, and Pro Sesto—as he played a brilliant second half of the season and celebrated Spezia’s record-breaking championship run.
In Serie C1, he was even more effective in front of goal. Playing as the quick striker alongside a traditional center-forward—first Zirafa and Agostini, then especially Zaniolo—he formed a lethal partnership. He scored ten goals that season, many of them unforgettable: a brace against Pisa on September 25, 2000; a goal against Livorno in another memorable 3–0 win; strikes against Carrarese, Lumezzane, Alzano, and a derby winner at the Stadio dei Marmi after just forty seconds. His final goals came against Arezzo and Como, before the disappointment of a playoff loss to the Lariani.
The dream returned in 2001. With Pisano and Torino arriving, Francolino was always there. “Don’t worry, Francolino Fiori will score,” sang the Ferrovia stand. After a slow start, he caught fire: goals against Reggiana, Alzano, Pisa (decisive in a 1–0 derby), Carrarese, SPAL, a brace at Arezzo, and another in Reggio Emilia. He even scored away at league leaders Livorno, fueling hopes of a dramatic late surge.
The comeback fell just short. In the first leg of the playoffs at Trieste, he was sent off after only a few minutes, and Spezia lost 2–0. The miracle didn’t come in the return leg. The following season was harder, Mandorlini was gone, four coaches took turns on the bench, and Spezia finished sixth. Francolino scored just three times.
He left at the end of the season, later resurfacing at Savona, but he never left the hearts of Spezia supporters.