Paul Gibbs (footballer)

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Paul Gibbs

| image =

| fullname = Paul Derek Gibbs{{hugman|7192|accessdate=15 February 2018}}

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1972|10|26}}

| birth_place = Gorleston, England

| height = {{height|ft=5|in=11}}

| position = Full-back

| youthyears1 =

| youthclubs1 = Norwich City

| years1 = 1994

| clubs1 = Diss Town

| caps1 =

| goals1 =

| years2 = 1994

| clubs2 = Fram Larvik

| caps2 =

| goals2 =

| years3 = 1995–1997

| clubs3 = Colchester United

| caps3 = 52

| goals3 = 3

| years4 = 1997–1998

| clubs4 = Torquay United

| caps4 = 47

| goals4 = 9

| years5 = 1998–2000

| clubs5 = Plymouth Argyle

| caps5 = 34

| goals5 = 3

| years6 = 2000–2002

| clubs6 = Brentford

| caps6 = 54

| goals6 = 3

| years7 = 2002–2003

| clubs7 = Barnsley

| caps7 = 33

| goals7 = 1

| years8 = 2003–2004

| clubs8 = Gravesend & Northfleet

| caps8 = 2

| goals8 = 0

| years9 = 2004

| clubs9 = Canvey Island

| caps9 = 3

| goals9 = 0

| years10 = 2004–2005

| clubs10 = Weymouth

| caps10 = 13

| goals10 = 0

| years11 = 2005

| clubs11 = Gorleston

| caps11 = 5

| goals11 = 0

| totalcaps = 243 | totalgoals = 19

}}

Paul Derek Gibbs (born 26 October 1972) is an English former professional footballer.

Career

Gibbs, a left back, began his career at Norwich City as a youngster, followed by an apprenticeship at Scunthorpe United. On not making the grade as a pro, he drifted into local football, playing for Gorleston and later scoring the winner from the penalty spot in the 1994 FA Vase Final at Wembley for Diss Town against Taunton Town. He later played in Norway.

A few days after the 1994 FA Vase Final, Gibbs flew to Norway and joined IF Fram Larvik. The transfer was bankrolled by a supporter group.{{cite news|title=Fra Wembley-finale til Fram|last=Jensen|first=Atle|date=11 May 1994|work=Østlands-Posten|page=7|language=no}} Gibbs had featured in a friendly match in April 1994, while Fram attended a training camp in Norwich.{{cite news|title=Blir Paul Gibbs Frams nye spiss?|date=2 April 1994|work=Østlands-Posten|page=6|language=no}} He made his league debut against Holter in May.{{cite news|title=Ned på jorda igjen|author=Tanum, Rolf|date=16 May 1994|work=Østlands-Posten|page=9|language=no}} He was allowed to return to England in September 1994 in order to trial with several clubs. According to reports, Gibbs would play for Ipswich Town in John Wark's testimonial match before a string of other clubs.{{cite news|title=Forlater Fram for prøvespill i hjemlandet|author=Svendsen, Svein André|date=2 September 1994|work=Østlands-Posten|page=11|language=no}} Gibbs had brief trial spell at Luton Town, before joining Colchester United on 6 March 1995.

After 53 league games, in which he scored three goals, and only shortly after appearing at Wembley for a second time in the Auto-Windscreens Trophy final defeat at the hands of Carlisle United, he was given a free transfer, joining Torquay United on 26 July 1997. His Torquay debut came on the first day of the 1997–98 season, a 2–1 defeat away to newly promoted Conference champions Macclesfield Town. That season saw Gibbs score seven goals in 41 league games en route to the Division Three play-offs and ultimately defeat in the final at Wembley against Colchester. In just that one season his wing-back partnership with Andy Gurney resulted in 16 goals between the two of them. Gibbs followed departing Torquay manager Kevin Hodges to Plymouth Argyle on 26 July 1998 thanks to the Bosman ruling, though his then girlfriend Helen Chamberlain of Sky Sports' Soccer AM fame refused to follow suit and stayed loyal to the Gulls. His Plymouth career started successfully enough, being named in the Division Three team for the 1998–99 season. However, on the final day of the season, Gibbs suffered a broken leg, putting paid to a planned move to Brentford. Incidentally, the same game in which he broke his leg was the famous Jimmy Glass game against Carlisle, in which the goalkeeper scored in the 94th minute to keep Carlisle United in the Football League.{{cite news

|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-carlisle-raise-a-glass-to-survival--carlisle-united-----2--plymouth-argyle-----1-1092696.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-carlisle-raise-a-glass-to-survival--carlisle-united-----2--plymouth-argyle-----1-1092696.html |archive-date=25 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live

|title=Carlisle raise a Glass to survival – Carlisle United 2 Plymouth Argyle 1

|work=The Independent

|date=10 May 1999 |access-date=14 August 2009

| location=London

| first=Rupert

| last=Metcalf}}

Gibbs began playing again for Plymouth's reserves in March 2000. On 9 May 2000, Gibbs was given a free transfer by Plymouth, and on 18 May he signed for Brentford on a three-year contract.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/brentford/817735.stm|title=BBC SPORT – BRENTFORD – Brentford complete deals|work=bbc.co.uk|access-date=21 October 2015}} However, Brentford's financial situation in March 2002 saw Gibbs transfer listed.{{Cite web|url=http://world.brentfordfc.co.uk/page/LatestNews/0,,10421~182335,00.html|title=Brentford {{!}} News {{!}} Latest News {{!}} Latest News {{!}} CONTRACT NEWS|website=world.brentfordfc.co.uk|access-date=16 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180216204552/http://world.brentfordfc.co.uk/page/LatestNews/0,,10421~182335,00.html|archive-date=16 February 2018|url-status=dead}}

On 15 March 2002, Gibbs joined Barnsley on a free transfer.{{Cite web|url=http://world.barnsleyfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10309~190130,00.html|title=Barnsley {{!}} News {{!}} Latest News {{!}} Latest News {{!}} GIBBS BECOMES SECOND SIGNING|website=world.barnsleyfc.co.uk|access-date=16 February 2018}} He struggled with injury and in May 2003 underwent a groin operation.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/barnsley/3008019.stm|title=BBC SPORT – Football – My Club – Barnsley – Gibbs has operation|work=bbc.co.uk|access-date=21 October 2015}} On 16 October 2003, Gibbs' contract with Barnsley was terminated.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/barnsley/3198450.stm|title=BBC SPORT – Football – My Club – Barnsley – Gibbs leaves Barnsley|work=bbc.co.uk|access-date=21 October 2015}} He was linked with Watford, Bradford City and Brentford. The latter of these he trained with during November 2003{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/brentford/3244391.stm|title=BBC SPORT – Football – My Club – Brentford – Olugbodi extends Bees stay|work=bbc.co.uk|access-date=21 October 2015}} and played for their reserves against Aldershot Town. He joined Gravesend & Northfleet later that month,{{cite web|url=http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?newsmode=FULL&nid=13785|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120214193241/http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?newsmode=FULL&nid=13785|title=NonLeagueDaily.com|archive-date=14 February 2012|url-status=usurped|access-date=21 October 2015}} leaving in January 2004.{{Cite web |url=http://soccerfactsuk.co.uk/s2003/player_details.php?playerid=1267 |title=SoccerFacts UK Player Details |website=soccerfactsuk.co.uk |access-date=15 February 2018}}

At the end of March 2004, Gibbs joined Canvey Island until the end of the season.{{cite web|url=http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?newsmode=FULL&nid=16616|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120214193301/http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?newsmode=FULL&nid=16616|title=NonLeagueDaily.com|archive-date=14 February 2012|url-status=usurped|access-date=21 October 2015}} On 17 July 2004, Gibbs joined Steve Claridge's Weymouth on a one-year deal,{{cite web|url=http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?newsmode=FULL&nid=19254|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120214193306/http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?newsmode=FULL&nid=19254|title=NonLeagueDaily.com|archive-date=14 February 2012|url-status=usurped|access-date=21 October 2015}}{{Cite web |url=http://soccerfactsuk.co.uk/s2004/player_details.php?playerid=1267 |title=SoccerFacts UK Player Details |website=soccerfactsuk.co.uk |access-date=15 February 2018}} but in January 2005 returned to Gorleston,{{cite web|url=http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?newsmode=FULL&nid=23921|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120214193311/http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?newsmode=FULL&nid=23921|title=NonLeagueDaily.com|archive-date=14 February 2012|url-status=usurped|access-date=21 October 2015}} later assisting with the coaching at the club.{{Cite web |url=http://football.mitoo.co.uk/PlayersHistory2.cfm?PI=185340&LeagueCode=ECFL2004 |title=football.mitoo |website=football.mitoo.co.uk |access-date=15 February 2018}}

Personal life

After retiring from football, Gibbs set up P&S Personnel Services, a recruitment agency based in Great Yarmouth, and went on to have a family of

2 amazing boys, will and dylan hayden-gibbs

Paul now represents England over 50's

.{{Cite web |url=http://world.brentfordfc.co.uk/page/WhereAreTheyDetail/0,,10421~2055203,00.html |title=Brentford {{!}} News {{!}} Where Are They Now? {{!}} Where Are They Now? {{!}} WHERE ARE THEY NOW? PAUL GIBBS – PART 2 |website=world.brentfordfc.co.uk |access-date=15 February 2018}}

Honours

Diss Town

FA Vase: 1993–94{{cite web|url=http://www.Coludaybyday.co.uk/Statistics/Player%20Stats/PlayerHonours/PlayerOtherNonleaguehonours.html |title=Other Award – Non League Honours |work=Coludaybyday.co.uk}}

Colchester United

Football League Trophy runner-up: 1996–97{{cite web|url=http://www.Coludaybyday.co.uk/Statistics/Player%20Stats/PlayerHonours/PlayerAssociateMembersCup.html |title=Associate Members Cup Finalists |work=Coludaybyday.co.uk}}

Brentford

Football League Trophy runner-up: 2000–01{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/1289338.stm |title=Vale vault Brentford to lift Vans trophy |website=BBC Sport |date=22 April 2001 |access-date=18 March 2024}}

Individual

PFA Team of the Year: 1998–99 Third Division{{cite web|url=http://www.Coludaybyday.co.uk/Statistics/Player%20Stats/PlayerHonours/PlayerIndividualHonours.html |title=Individual Awards |work=Coludaybyday.co.uk}}