Ben Gibson Explained

Ben Gibson
Full Name:Benjamin James Gibson[1]
Birth Date:15 January 1993[2]
Birth Place:Nunthorpe, England
Height:1.85m (06.07feet)[3]
Position:Centre-back
Currentclub:Stoke City
Clubnumber:23
Youthyears1:2005–2010
Youthclubs1:Middlesbrough
Years1:2010–2018
Clubs1:Middlesbrough
Caps1:185
Goals1:4
Years2:2011
Clubs2:Plymouth Argyle (loan)
Caps2:13
Goals2:0
Years3:2012
Clubs3:York City (loan)
Caps3:8
Goals3:0
Years4:2012–2013
Clubs4:Tranmere Rovers (loan)
Caps4:20
Goals4:0
Years5:2013
Clubs5:Tranmere Rovers (loan)
Caps5:8
Goals5:1
Years6:2018–2021
Clubs6:Burnley
Caps6:1
Goals6:1
Years7:2020–2021
Clubs7:Norwich City (loan)
Caps7:27
Goals7:0
Years8:2021–2024
Clubs8:Norwich City
Caps8:86
Goals8:0
Years9:2024–
Clubs9:Stoke City
Caps9:2
Goals9:0
Club-Update:16:50, 17 August 2024 (UTC)
Nationalyears1:2009–2010
Nationalteam1:England U17
Nationalcaps1:5
Nationalgoals1:1
Nationalyears2:2011
Nationalteam2:England U18
Nationalcaps2:1
Nationalgoals2:0
Nationalyears3:2014
Nationalteam3:England U20
Nationalcaps3:4
Nationalgoals3:0
Nationalyears4:2014–2015
Nationalteam4:England U21
Nationalcaps4:10
Nationalgoals4:1

Benjamin James Gibson (born 15 January 1993) is an English professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for and captains club Stoke City.

Having graduated from Middlesbrough's Academy, Gibson had loan spells with Plymouth Argyle, York City and Tranmere Rovers before breaking into the club's first team in 2013. he was part of the Middlesbrough team that secured promotion to the Premier League in 2015–16 and the following year earned his first call-up to the England national team. He moved to Burnley in August 2018 for a fee of £15 million. His time at Turf Moor was unsuccessful and after making a handful of appearances he left for Norwich City in September 2020. Gibson spent four seasons with the Canaries and joined Stoke City in June 2024.

Early and personal life

Gibson was born in Nunthorpe, Cleveland,[4] and attended Nunthorpe School[5] and Yarm School.[6] He is a nephew of Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson.

Club career

Middlesbrough

Gibson joined Middlesbrough's Academy from Marton at the age of 12. He was a member of the Middlesbrough team that won the Nike Cup in 2008 and signed his first professional contract with the club on 1 July 2010.[7] He made his first-team debut as a substitute on 25 April 2011 against Coventry City, coming on in the 41st minute for the injured Andrew Davies, with Middlesbrough going on to win the game 2–1.[8] He finished the 2010–11 season with one appearance for Middlesbrough, and having captained the reserve team to The Football Combination East Division title.[9]

Gibson signed a three-month loan deal with League Two club Plymouth Argyle on 2 August 2011.[9] After making 13 appearances in this time, Gibson and both clubs involved agreed on 1 November 2011 to extend the loan deal until 29 January 2012.[10] However, the loan was cut short after Middlesbrough recalled him on 30 November 2011.[11] He signed for Conference Premier club York City on loan until the end of 2011–12 on 9 February 2012.[12] After a promising start Gibson was sent off in the 1–0 away victory to Cambridge United.[13] However, after missing the next four games through suspension he won the 2012 FA Trophy Final with York at Wembley Stadium on 12 May, in which the team beat Newport County 2–0. Eight days later he played in the 2–1 victory over Luton Town in the 2012 Conference Premier play-off final at Wembley on 20 May 2012, seeing the club return to the Football League after an eight-year absence with promotion to League Two.[14] Gibson completed his loan at York with 11 appearances.

On 14 August 2012, Gibson joined League One club Tranmere Rovers on a one-month loan.[15] The month was extended until January 2013 the following month, but in December 2012 was ruled out of action with an abductor problem, thus ending the duration of his first loan spell at Rovers.[16] [17] He signed a new four-year contract with Middlesbrough on 18 December 2012.[18] On 13 March 2013, Gibson returned on loan to Rovers, until the end of the season.[19]

The 2013–14 season saw Gibson become more involved in the first team squad for Middlesbrough; the team did not perform well, and manager Tony Mowbray was sacked in October 2013.[20] Aitor Karanka replaced him, and they finished twelfth.[21] The 2014–15 season saw the club finish fourth, qualifying for the play-offs. They reached the final at Wembley Stadium, having won 5–1 on aggregate against Brentford, but were defeated 2–0 by Norwich City.[22] In the 2015–16 season, Gibson helped Middlesbrough secure promotion to the Premier League, having finished as runners-up in the Championship.[23]

Gibson still remained as a crucial part of Middlesbrough's squad in their 2016–17 Premier League campaign, though they did not record positive results; they dropped into relegation zone in March 2017, with Karanka being sacked later that month.[24] [25] [26] Their relegation back to the Championship was confirmed in May 2017, after a 3–0 defeat to champions Chelsea, with the club having only been in the English top flight for one season.[27]

Burnley

Gibson signed for Premier League club Burnley on 5 August 2018 on a four-year contract for a joint club-record fee of £15 million.[28] He made his debut on 16 August in a 1–0 win over İstanbul Başakşehir in a UEFA Europa League third qualifying round second leg match.[29] Gibson then appeared in their next Europa League fixture the following week, a 3–1 defeat to Olympiacos, in which he was sent off for a second bookable offence.[30] Gibson underwent surgery on a hernia in September 2018.[31] He made his Premier League debut for the club on 26 December 2018, in which he scored Burnley's only goal of the match, which was a 5–1 defeat to Everton.[32]

Gibson made just one appearance during the 2019–20 season, starting in a 3–1 loss to Sunderland in the third round of the EFL Cup.[33] In February 2020, Gibson was permitted by the club to train with former club Middlesbrough after informing the club his desire to leave in January.[34] Speaking in November 2020, Gibson described his time at Turf Moor as a "disaster".[35]

Norwich City

Gibson returned to the Championship on 4 September 2020, signing for newly relegated team Norwich City on a season-long loan, with the transfer becoming permanent if Norwich were to achieve promotion back to the Premier League that season.[36] He made his debut on 3 October in a 1–0 defeat to Derby County.[37] Gibson was a member of the Norwich team that won the Championship title, achieving promotion back up to the Premier League at the first time of asking.[38] He missed the end of the season after suffering a ankle ligament injury.[39] Gibson signed for Norwich permanently on 1 July 2021 on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee, reported by the Lancashire Telegraph to be £8 million.[40] Gibson made 24 appearances in 2021–22 as Norwich finished bottom and were relegated back to the Championship.[41]

Gibson played 24 times in 2022–23 as they failed to make the play-offs, finishing in 13th.[42] [43] He scored his only goal for Norwich in a 5–2 FA Cup defeat at Liverpool on 29 January 2024.[44] He made 40 appearances in 2023–24, helping Norwich make the play-offs where they lost 4–0 to Leeds United.[45] He was released by Norwich at the end of the season.[46]

Stoke City

Gibson joined Stoke City on 7 June 2024 signing a three-year contract.[47] Upon his arrival, he was named club captain.[48]

International career

Gibson has competed for the England under-17s, the under-18s, the under-20s and the under-21s.[49] He was part of the under-17 teams that won the 2009 Nordic Cup, where he scored in the final against Scotland,[50] and the 2010 UEFA European Under-17 Championship.[7]

Gibson made his debut for England under-21s in the first leg of the 2015 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification play-offs against Croatia[51] on the back of an impressive campaign for Middlesbrough. His performances made him a key member of the under-21 set up and he formed an effective partnership with John Stones. Gibson scored his first goal for the under-21s in England's final friendly before the European Championships against Belarus.[52] He went on to play 90 minutes in all of England's three group stage matches in the tournament although could not stop their disappointing early departure.[53] [54] [55]

Gibson received his first call-up to the England national team on 24 March 2017, replacing the injured Chris Smalling for the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Lithuania.[56]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Middlesbrough2010–11Championship10000010
2011–12Championship00000000
2012–13Championship10000010
2013–14Championship3111010331
2014–15Championship360200030410
2015–16Championship3310030361
2016–17Premier League3812010411
2017–18Championship451201020501
Total18547060502034
Plymouth Argyle (loan)2011–12League Two130101010160
York City (loan)2011–12[57] Conference Premier800030110
Tranmere Rovers (loan)2012–13League One281202010331
Burnley2018–19Premier League1120002051
2019–20Premier League00001010
Total1120102061
Norwich City (loan)2020–21Championship2702000290
Norwich City2021–22Premier League2802010310
2022–23Championship2300010240
2023–24Championship350211020401
Total850413020941
Stoke City2024–25Championship20000020
Career total35061811301403957

Honours

York City

2011–12[58]

Norwich City

2020–21[60]

England U17

2010[61]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: EFL: Club retained and released lists published . English Football League . 23 June 2016 . 4 January 2018.
  2. Web site: Ben Gibson: Overview . ESPN . 11 August 2021.
  3. Web site: Ben Gibson: Overview . Premier League . 11 August 2021.
  4. Web site: Ben Gibson . 11v11.com . AFS Enterprises . 11 August 2021.
  5. News: Anthony . Vickers . Ben Gibson: 'Beating Man City gave me one of the best days of my childhood' . Teesside Gazette . Middlesbrough . 24 January 2015 . 2 April 2016.
  6. Web site: Former Pupils' Page . Yarm School . 8 May 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160320225558/http://www.yarmschool.org/alumni . 20 March 2016 . dead.
  7. Web site: Ben Gibson . Middlesbrough F.C. . https://web.archive.org/web/20130927100755/http://www.mfc.co.uk/page/squad/senior/biography/0%2C%2C1~51287%2C00.html . 27 September 2013 . dead.
  8. News: Boro 2–1 Coventry City . Middlesbrough F.C. . 25 April 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120926154305/http://www.mfc.co.uk/page/matches/reports/0%2C%2C1~52463%2C00.html . 26 September 2012 . dead.
  9. News: Ben Becomes A Pilgrim . Middlesbrough F.C. . 2 August 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130323192235/http://www.mfc.co.uk/page/news/latest/0%2C%2C1~2408191%2C00.html . 23 March 2013 . dead.
  10. News: Gibbo stays on . Plymouth Argyle F.C. . 1 November 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120103191805/http://www.pafc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10364~2502160%2C00.html . 3 January 2012 . dead.
  11. News: Argyle loanee Ben Gibson goes back to Middlesbrough . BBC Sport . 30 November 2011 . 2 April 2016.
  12. News: Ben Gibson joins York City on loan from Middlesbrough . BBC Sport . 9 February 2012 . 2 April 2016.
  13. Web site: Cambridge U v York City 12 Apr 2012 . Sky Sports . 31 March 2017.
  14. News: Phil . Maiden . Luton 1–2 York . BBC Sport . 20 May 2012 . 2 April 2016.
  15. News: Tranmere Rovers sign Ben Gibson from Middlesbrough . BBC Sport . 14 August 2012 . 2 April 2016.
  16. News: Tranmere Rovers extend Ben Gibson loan deal until January . BBC Sport . 13 September 2012 . 2 April 2016.
  17. News: Ben Gibson: Tranmere Rovers loan could be ended by injury . BBC Sport . 13 December 2012 . 2 April 2016.
  18. News: Ben Gibson signs new four-year Middlesbrough deal . BBC Sport . 18 December 2012 . 2 April 2016.
  19. News: Gibson Returns To Rovers . Tranmere Rovers F.C. . 14 March 2013 . 29 August 2017 . 17 March 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130317015922/http://www.tranmererovers.co.uk/news/article/gibson-140313-713991.aspx . dead .
  20. Web site: Middlesbrough | News | Latest News | Latest News | Tony Mowbray Leaves Boro . 29 August 2017 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131024081843/http://www.mfc.co.uk/page/news/latest/0,,1~3505015,00.html . 24 October 2013.
  21. Web site: Aitor Named Head Coach . Middlesbrough F.C. . 13 November 2013 . 29 August 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131113125628/http://www.mfc.co.uk/page/news/latest/0,,1~3535212,00.html. 13 November 2013. dead . dmy-all.
  22. News: Middlesbrough 0–2 Norwich City – BBC Sport . BBC Sport . 29 August 2017.
  23. News: Middlesbrough 1–1 Brighton: Boro promoted to Premier League – as it happened . 29 August 2017 . The Guardian . London . 7 May 2016.
  24. News: Stoke City 2–0 Middlesbrough RECAP: Desperately disappointing afternoon as Boro drop into relegation zone . Gazette Live . 4 March 2017 . 29 August 2017 . Shaw . Dominic.
  25. News: Aitor Karanka: Middlesbrough sack manager after three and a half years . BBC Sport . 16 March 2017 . 29 August 2017.
  26. News: Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson says tired Aitor Karanka 'sacrificed himself' . Sky Sports . 17 March 2017 . 29 August 2017.
  27. News: Bye Boro! Middlesbrough relegated from Premier League . 9 May 2017 . 29 August 2017 . CBBC Newsround.
  28. News: Ben Gibson: Burnley sign Middlesbrough centre-back for joint club record fee . BBC Sport . 5 August 2018 . 5 August 2018.
  29. Web site: Burnley 1–0 İstanbul Başakşehir. BBC Sport . 16 August 2018. 3 May 2019.
  30. Web site: Olympiakos 3–1 Burnley. BBC Sport . 23 August 2018. 3 May 2019.
  31. Web site: Burnley's Ben Gibson out for 'weeks' after hernia operation . Sky Sports . 4 July 2024.
  32. Web site: Burnley 1–5 Everton. BBC Sport . 26 December 2018. 3 May 2019.
  33. News: Burnley 1-3 Sunderland: Will Grigg scores as Black Cats cause upset - BBC Sport. BBC Sport.
  34. Web site: Ben Gibson training with Middlesbrough after Burnley exit fails. 12 February 2020.
  35. Web site: Ben Gibson interview: Burnley 'disaster', his Middlesbrough gratitude & finding happiness at Norwich . Tesside Live . 4 July 2024.
  36. Web site: Ben Gibson: Norwich City agree loan deal for £15m Burnley defender. BBC Sport. 4 September 2020. 23 May 2021.
  37. Web site: Norwich City 0–1 Derby County. BBC Sport. 23 May 2021. 3 October 2020.
  38. News: Norwich City 4–1 Reading: Kieran Dowell double ensures Canaries win Championship title . BBC Sport . 1 May 2021 . 23 May 2021.
  39. Web site: Ben Gibson: Norwich City defender out for rest of season . BBC Sport . 4 July 2024.
  40. Web site: Gibson and Giannoulis complete permanent moves . Norwich City F.C. . 1 July 2021 . 11 August 2021 . 1 July 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210701132730/https://www.canaries.co.uk/News/2021/july/ben-gibson-and-dimitris-giannoulis-permanent-deals/ . dead .
    News: Norwich complete Ben Gibson deal to end Burnley nightmare . Adam . Lord . Lancashire Telegraph . Blackburn . 1 July 2021 . 11 August 2021 .
  41. Web site: Aston Villa 2-0 Norwich City: Canaries relegated from Premier League . BBC Sport . 4 July 2024.
  42. Web site: Ben Gibson: Norwich City defender says team must improve 'across the board' . BBC Sport . 5 July 2024.
  43. Web site: Ben Gibson: 'Time running out' for Norwich in play-off race . BBC Sport . 5 July 2024.
  44. Web site: Ben Gibson: Norwich City must learn from 'unbelievable Anfield experience' . BBC Sport . 5 July 2024.
  45. Web site: Leeds United Leeds United 4-0 Norwich City . BBC Sport . 5 July 2024.
  46. Web site: Club confirm released and retained list . Norwich City . 5 July 2024.
  47. Web site: Gibson makes Potters move . Stoke City . 7 June 2024.
  48. Gibson: Learn the lessons, and don't be too down in the dumps. Stoke City Football Club. Stoke-on-Trent. 17 August 2024 . 17 August 2024. Stoke City captain Ben Gibson reflects on this afternoon's clash at Watford..
  49. Web site: Ben Gibson . The Football Association . 17 June 2015.
  50. News: Scotland U17s defeated in Nordic Cup final . Daily Record . Glasgow . 9 August 2009 . 2 April 2016.
  51. Web site: Under-21 2015 - History - England-Croatia – UEFA.com . uefa.com . 10 October 2014 .
  52. Web site: Ben Gibson helps England secure Euro send-off victory . The Football . Association . www.thefa.com.
  53. Web site: Under-21 2015 - History - England-Portugal – UEFA.com . uefa.com . 18 June 2015 .
  54. Web site: Under-21 2015 - History - Sweden-England – UEFA.com . uefa.com . 21 June 2015 .
  55. Web site: Under-21 2015 - History - England-Italy – UEFA.com . uefa.com . 24 June 2015 .
  56. News: Ben Gibson: Middlesbrough defender gets England call-up . BBC Sport . 24 March 2017 . 24 March 2017.
  57. Book: Mike . Williams . Tony . Williams . Non-League Club Directory 2013 . 2012 . Tony Williams Publications . 978-1-869833-77-0 . 162–163.
  58. News: FA Trophy: Newport County 0–2 York City . Ian . Woodcock . BBC Sport . 12 May 2012 . 11 August 2021.
  59. News: Luton 1–2 York . Phil . Maiden . BBC Sport . 20 May 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140309133628/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18049175 . 9 March 2014.
  60. Web site: Championship: 2020/21: Latest table . Soccerbase . Centurycomm . 11 August 2021.
    Web site: Norwich: Squad details: 2020/21 . Soccerbase . Centurycomm . 11 August 2021.
  61. News: England U-17s beat Spain to win European Championship . Alistair . Magowan . BBC Sport . 31 May 2010 . 23 May 2021.