George Gibson (footballer, born 1912) explained

George Gibson
Fullname:George Eardley Gibson
Birth Date:29 August 1912
Birth Place:Biddulph, England
Position:Inside left
Clubs1:Kidderminster Harriers
Years2:1931–1932
Clubs2:Frickley Colliery
Years3:1932–1934
Clubs3:Sunderland
Caps3:2
Goals3:1
Years4:1934–1935
Clubs4:Leicester City
Caps4:2
Goals4:0
Years5:1935–1936
Clubs5:Valenciennes
Years6:1935–1936
Clubs6:Distillery
Years7:1936–1937
Clubs7:Shelbourne
Years8:1936–1937
Clubs8:RC Roubaix
Years9:1937–1938
Clubs9:Workington
Years10:1938–1939
Clubs10:Bradford City
Caps10:3
Goals10:0

George Eardley Gibson (29 August 1912 – 30 December 1990) was an English professional footballer who played as an inside left. Gibson was an early pioneer of British overseas footballers, playing in the French Ligue 1 in the inter-war years. Gibson eventually went on to play football in four countries, including his native England. Whilst Gibson played professionally in England and France and played in the Football League and Ligue 1 he was never capped internationally.

Early career

Born in Biddulph, Staffordshire, Gibson began his career with Kidderminster Harriers[1] before being released and joining Frickley Colliery who gave him the opportunity to play regularly in the Midland League. In 1932 he signed professionally for Sunderland where he made two appearances in the Football League First Division[2] before moving to Leicester City, for whom he also played in the Football League.[3]

Foreign career

In 1935 Gibson became one of the early English professional footballers to play abroad when he signed for Valenciennes, who had just been promoted to the top division in French football. After a year in France Gibson moved on to clubs in Northern Ireland and Ireland before returning to France to join RC Roubaix, who had just secured top-flight football.[4]

Return to England

Towards the end of his career Gibson joined Workington, where he also represented the cricket club as a fast bowler and batsman and briefly returned to the Football League with Bradford City where he made three league appearances.[5]

Sources

Notes and References

  1. Book: Joyce, Michael . Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939 . SoccerData . Nottingham . 2004 . 99 . 978-1-899468-67-6.
  2. http://www.thestatcat.co.uk/Player.aspx?PlayerID=352 The Stat Cat George Gibson
  3. https://books.google.com/books?id=o__BBQAAQBAJ&pg=PT64 Leicester FC Miscellany - David Clayton
  4. https://www.frickleyathleticmuseum.co.uk/george-gibson Frickley Athletic Museum - George Gibson
  5. Frost, p. 382