Ronnie Gibbons Explained

Ronnie Gibbons
Fullname:Ronnie Suzanne Gibbons
Birth Date:1980 1, df=yes
Birth Place:Wandsworth, England
Position:Defender
Years1:1994–2003
Years2:2003–2004
Nationalyears1:2000–2004
Nationalteam1:Republic of Ireland
Ntupdate:09:50, 23 May 2010 (UTC)

Ronnie Suzanne Gibbons (born 16 January 1980) is a former professional footballer. She played as a right-back for Fulham Ladies and the Republic of Ireland national team.

Club career

Gibbons joined Fulham as a 13-year-old and became captain at the age of 17.[1] Three years later in 2000, when Fulham became the first full-time professional women's football club in Europe, Gibbons was one of six existing players to be kept on.[2] The more experienced Katrine Pedersen took over the captaincy during the 2000–01 season, as Fulham won the South East Combination but lost the FA Women's Cup final to Arsenal.

Over the next two seasons Gibbons remained with Fulham as they won successive trebles of Southern Premier, League Cup and FA Women's Cup in 2001–02 and National Premier, League Cup and FA Women's Cup in 2002–03. She was named as a substitute in both FA Women's Cup final wins.[3] [4]

Gibbons joined Charlton Athletic shortly after Fulham reverted to semi-pro status in 2003. She made her debut against Tranmere Rovers on 9 November 2003.[5]

International career

Although born in Wandsworth, Gibbons was eligible for the Republic of Ireland as her grandparents were from Galway and County Mayo. She was invited for a trial in April 1999 while still playing in the Greater London League with Fulham[6] and made her debut in January 2000.[7]

Notes and References

  1. News: Glory daze on Fulham's second front. The Independent. 6 May 2001. Ronald Atkin. 23 May 2010 . London.
  2. News: PREMIERSHIP 2000–01: End of one era and a new one for women: Making the league is a job for the girls. The Observer. 13 August 2000. Jon Henderson.
  3. News: Fulham Ladies bag cup . BBC. 23 May 2010. 5 May 2003.
  4. News: Fulham too strong for Belles . BBC. 23 May 2010. 6 May 2002.
  5. Web site: Tranmere Rovers 1 Charlton 4 . Charlton Athletic FC. 23 May 2010. 9 November 2003.
  6. Web site: Keegan plays ball with the girlies . Irish Independent. 23 May 2010. Cliona Foley. 17 April 1999.
  7. News: Ronnie Gibbons . BBC. 23 May 2010 . 25 April 2003.