Career
A cult hero amongst the club"s supporters, he is third on the all-time Brentford appearances list with 516. In 2013, Gelson placed second in a Football League 125th Anniversary poll of Brentford"s all-time fan favourites and was inducted into the in November 2014. Brentford Joining Brentford at a young age, Gelson progressed through the club"s youth, "A" and reserve teams before making his professional debut at age 19 in a 2-0 Division Three defeat to Halifax Town on 22 August 1961.
Despite still being a part-time player, Gelson quickly established himself in the first team as a wing half, making 28 appearances during the 1961/62 season, a campaign which saw Brentford relegated to Division Four.
Gelson was a key player in Brentford"s 1962/63 Division Four title-winning campaign, making 32 appearances. He was known for his long-range goals, scoring three times from behind the halfway line.
A "hard man" as a player, in 1970 Gelson ended the career of Colchester United"s Bobby Howlett in a challenge which resulted in a broken leg for the Us defender. Gelson would go on to be a fixture at centre back until his final appearance for the club in September 1974.
He left Brentford shortly after, having made 516 appearances in all competitions for the club
In recognition of his service to the club, Gelson was awarded two testimonials, earning him £3630. Non-league football After his departure from Brentford, Gelson played on in non-league football, appearing for Hillingdon Borough (two spells), Hounslow and Walton & Hersham. In his early days as a part-time player at Brentford, Gelson worked as a Post Office engineer
After retiring from football, Gelson found work at Heathrow Airport, working in security with British Airways and Qatar Airways.
As a player Brentford Football League Division Four (1): 1962-1963 As an individual.
