Career
Gibson was an early pioneer of British overseas football players, 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.
Born in Stoke, Gibson began his career as a youth player with Kidderminster Harriers 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 top flight (equivalent to the Premier League today) appearances before moving to Leicester City, where he played in the Football League. In 1935 Gibson became one of the early English professional football players to play abroad when he signed for United States Valenciennes Anzin, 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 Remote Control Rubaix, who had just secured top flight football. 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 3 league appearances.
Gibson has the distinction of playing in the top division of professional football in four countries, including England, France, Ireland and Northern Ireland.
This is a remarkable feat for a British football player in the 1930s.
