Peter Gilbert (Welsh footballer)

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Peter Gilbert

| image = PeterGilbertOn26thJuly2008.jpg

| image_size = 200

| caption = Gilbert playing for Sheffield Wednesday in 2008

| full_name = Eric Peter Gilbert{{cite book

| editor-last = Hugman

| editor-first = Barry J.

| title = The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2008–09

| publisher = Mainstream

| year = 2008

| isbn = 978-1-84596-324-8}}

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1983|7|31|df=y}}

| birth_place = Newcastle upon Tyne,{{Hugman|7237|accessdate=17 November 2019}} England

| height = {{height|ft=5|in=9}}

| position = Left back

| currentclub = Aston Villa Under-21s (coach)

| clubnumber =

| youthyears1 = 1999–2002 | youthclubs1 = Birmingham City

| years1 = 2002–2003 | clubs1 = Birmingham City | caps1 = 0 | goals1 = 0

| years2 = 2003–2005 | clubs2 = Plymouth Argyle | caps2 = 78 | goals2 = 1

| years3 = 2005–2006 | clubs3 = Leicester City | caps3 = 5 | goals3 = 0

| years4 = 2005–2006 | clubs4 = → Sheffield Wednesday (loan) | caps4 = 7 | goals4 = 0

| years5 = 2006–2009 | clubs5 = Sheffield Wednesday | caps5 = 34 | goals5 = 0

| years6 = 2007 | clubs6 = → Doncaster Rovers (loan) | caps6 = 4 | goals6 = 0

| years7 = 2009 | clubs7 = Oldham Athletic | caps7 = 5 | goals7 = 0

| years8 = 2009–2010 | clubs8 = Northampton Town | caps8 = 30 | goals8 = 0

| years9 = 2010–2012 | clubs9 = Southend United | caps9 = 57 | goals9 = 3

| years10 = 2012–2013 | clubs10 = Lincoln City | caps10 = 14 | goals10 = 0

| years11 = 2013 | clubs11 = → Dagenham & Redbridge (loan) | caps11 = 0 | goals11 = 0

| years12 = 2014 | clubs12 = Goole | caps12 = | goals12 =

| totalcaps = 234 | totalgoals = 4

| nationalyears1 = 2004–2005 | nationalteam1 = Wales U21

| nationalcaps1 = 10 | nationalgoals1 = 1

| club-update =

}}

Eric Peter Gilbert (born 31 July 1983), known as Peter Gilbert, is a Welsh former footballer and current coach.

A defender, Gilbert played in the Football League for Plymouth Argyle, Leicester City, Sheffield Wednesday, Doncaster Rovers, Oldham Athletic, Northampton Town and Southend United, also appearing in the Conference for Lincoln City and briefly in the Northern Premier League for Goole. He represented Wales at under-21 level.

Gilbert is currently coaching Aston Villa Under-21s.

Career

Gilbert began his career at Birmingham City as a trainee but failed to make a first team appearance. He did captain the academy side during his time with the Blues and made many appearances for the reserves. His progress was hampered by a serious knee injury. Once he recovered the decision was made to make a fresh start at another club. He joined Plymouth Argyle at the beginning of the 2003–04 season on loan, where his performances earned him a permanent move. Once he signed, Gilbert soon proved himself to be a reliable and steady player and was a mainstay of Argyle's Second Division championship-winning side, playing 40 league games and scoring one goal against Tranmere Rovers.{{cite web

|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/3155988.stm

|title=Plymouth 6-0 Tranmere

|publisher=BBC

|date=11 October 2003 |access-date=8 June 2016}} His only other goal for Plymouth came three days after his goal against Tranmere in a Football League Trophy tie against Bristol City.{{cite web

|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/3187230.stm

|title=Plymouth 4-0 Bristol City

|publisher=BBC

|date=14 October 2003 |access-date=8 June 2016}}

This run of form led him to be called up to the Welsh under-21 squad and receiving his first cap. He went on to make 10 appearances in the 2006 UEFA Under-21 Championship qualifying campaign.{{cite web |url=http://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/peter-gilbert/u-21-h-em-qualifikation/4/ |title=Peter Gilbert: Internationals: EURO Qualifiers |website=worldfootball.net |access-date=13 January 2015}} During this campaign he impressed head coach John Toshack enough to consider him for the senior squad,{{cite news |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/gilbert-staking-his-wales-claim-2411767 |title=Gilbert staking his Wales claim |author=Phillips, Terry |website=Wales Online |date=8 December 2004 |access-date=13 January 2015}} and was a member of Toshack's senior squad for a six-day training camp in Spain at the end of the 2004–05 season.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/4530311.stm |title=Toshack calls Margetson for Wales |publisher=BBC Sport |date=18 May 2005 |access-date=13 January 2015}}

He made 38 appearances for Argyle in the Championship during 2004–05. This led to interest from Leicester City manager Craig Levein who signed Gilbert for the start of the 2005–06 season, for a fee in the region of £200,000.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/plymouth_argyle/4704369.stm |title=Foxes sign Gilbert from Plymouth |publisher=BBC Sport |date=26 July 2005 |access-date=14 August 2009}}

However, Gilbert made just six appearances for Leicester before being loaned to fellow Championship side Sheffield Wednesday in November 2005.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/sheff_wed/4468102.stm |title=Sturrock adds duo to Owls' ranks |publisher=BBC Sport |date=24 November 2005 |access-date=14 August 2009}} He joined Wednesday on a permanent basis in 2006 and, following three years at the club, his contract was terminated by mutual consent on 6 April 2009.{{cite web |url=http://www.swfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10304~1614654,00.html |title=Gilbert released from contract |publisher=Sheffield Wednesday F.C |date=6 April 2009 |access-date=14 August 2009}}

After trials with Huddersfield Town,{{cite news |url=http://www.examiner.co.uk/huddersfield-town-fc/huddersfield-town-news/2009/07/14/huddersfield-town-to-continue-focus-on-former-everton-sheffield-wednesday-and-barnsley-trialists-86081-24144068/ |title=Huddersfield Town to continue focus on former Everton, Sheffield Wednesday and Barnsley trialists |work=Huddersfield Daily Examiner |first=Dougie |last=Thomson |date=14 July 2009 |access-date=14 August 2009}} Southend United{{cite news |url=http://www.southendunited.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10444~1739187,00.html |title=Gilbert in Blues Trial |publisher=Southend United F.C |date=31 July 2009 |access-date=23 March 2010}} and Coventry City,{{cite news |url=http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/coventry-city-fc/coventry-city-fc-news/2009/08/05/peter-gilbert-hoping-for-contract-with-coventry-city-fc-92746-24326759/ |title=Peter Gilbert hoping for contract with Coventry City FC |work=Coventry Telegraph |first=Andy |last=Turner |date=5 August 2009 |access-date=14 August 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120731075303/http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/coventry-city-fc/coventry-city-fc-news/2009/08/05/peter-gilbert-hoping-for-contract-with-coventry-city-fc-92746-24326759/ |archive-date=31 July 2012 }} Gilbert joined Oldham Athletic on a short-term contract.{{cite web |url=http://www.oldhamathletic.co.uk/page/NewsUpdate/0,,10337~1745218,00.html |title=Athletic Capture Gilbert |publisher=Oldham Athletic A.F.C. |date=7 August 2009 |access-date=14 August 2009}} However, because the player wanted more stability than was afforded by the week-to-week deal with Oldham, he left before the 1 September transfer deadline to allow him the chance to find a permanent club.{{cite news |url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11730_5529825,00.html |title=Penney allows Gilbert exit |publisher=Sky Sports |first=Richard |last=Bailey |date=1 September 2009 |access-date=1 September 2009}}

In September 2009, Gilbert had a trial with Conference National side Mansfield Town.{{cite web |url=http://www.mansfieldtown.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10325~1797929,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120225082029/http://www.mansfieldtown.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10325~1797929,00.html |title=Langford shines in Notts friendly |publisher=Mansfield Town F.C |date=15 September 2009 |archive-date=25 February 2012}} After a two-week trial spell in which he played the whole of a reserve game,{{cite web |url=http://www.ntfc.co.uk/page/ReservesDetail/0,,10425~1837321,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100402054509/http://www.ntfc.co.uk/page/ReservesDetail/0,,10425~1837321,00.html |title=Reserves Beaten at Sixfields |publisher=Northampton Town F.C |date=27 October 2009 |archive-date=2 April 2010}}{{cite web |url=http://www.ntfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10425~1870540,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091111155133/http://www.ntfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10425~1870540,00.html |title=Cobblers Could Make Changes For MK Trip |publisher=Northampton Town F.C |date=10 November 2009 |archive-date=11 November 2009 }} he signed for League Two club Northampton Town in November until the end of the 2009–10 season.{{cite web |url=http://www.ntfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10425~1872982,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120229132304/http://www.ntfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10425~1872982,00.html |title=Cobblers Bring in Gilbert |publisher=Northampton Town F.C |date=13 November 2009 |archive-date=29 February 2012}}

On 8 July 2010 Gilbert signed a pre contract agreement with Southend United due to the club being under a transfer embargo, on 6 August 2010 Southend's embargo was lifted allowing Gilbert to be registered with the Roots Hall club. Gilbert had previously played under Southend boss Paul Sturrock at Sheffield Wednesday and Plymouth Argyle.

Gilbert picked up an ankle injury in a pre season game against Derby County which forced him to miss the start of the league season. He finally made his debut for the club on 24 August 2010 against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the League Cup. Gilbert made his league debut in Southend's 2–0 win against Bradford City on 27 August 2010. After a 2011–12 season which ended in playoff defeat, the club did not offer Gilbert a new contract.{{cite news |url=http://www.echo-news.co.uk/sport/11634129.print/ |title=Catching up with: Former Southend United and Northampton Town defender Peter Gilbert |author=Phillips, Chris |newspaper=Echo |date=28 November 2014 |access-date=13 January 2015}}

Gilbert joined Conference National club Lincoln City on non-contract terms in October 2012.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19837438 |title=Lincoln City sign defender Peter Gilbert |publisher=BBC Sport |date=4 October 2012 |access-date=7 January 2013}} He went on to sign a short-term contract which was later extended to the end of the season.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20858636 |title=Peter Gilbert and David Preece extend Lincoln contracts |publisher=BBC Sport |date=28 December 2012 |access-date=7 January 2013}} At the end of March, he joined Dagenham & Redbridge on loan until the end of the season.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21966643 |title=Dagenham & Redbridge sign Fortune, Miles, Gilbert and Sharif |publisher=BBC Sport |date=28 March 2013 |access-date=28 March 2013}} In January 2014, he signed for Northern Premier League First Division South club Goole, managed by his former teammate Curtis Woodhouse.{{cite news |url=http://nonleague.pitchero.com/news/woodhouse-makes-three-more-signings-28665/ |title=Woodhouse Makes Three More Signings |publisher=Non League Pitchero |date=31 January 2014 |access-date=13 June 2014}} Later that year, he travelled to California where he played in two friendly matches for USL Pro club Sacramento Republic.{{cite web |url=http://www.sacrepublicfc.com/football-club/stats/ |title=2014 All Competition Stats |publisher=Sacramento Republic FC |date=28 September 2014 |access-date=13 January 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150124162659/http://www.sacrepublicfc.com/football-club/stats |archive-date=24 January 2015}}

Coaching career

After the end of his playing career, Gilbert joined West Bromwich Albion Academy as a coach. Working with various age groups over an eight-year spell – ultimately acting as U18s manager from 2019 to 2022.{{Cite web |title=Gilbert: 'We're improving by competing with the best' {{!}} West Bromwich Albion |url=https://www.wba.co.uk/news/gilbert-were-improving-competing-best |access-date=2022-09-07 |website=wba.co.uk |language=en}}

In August 2022, Gilbert joined Aston Villa Academy as an Under-21s coach.{{Cite web |date=30 August 2022 |title=Boateng leaves Villa Academy for Ghana role |url=https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2022/august/30/boateng-departs-villa-academy/ |access-date=7 September 2022 |website=Aston Villa Football Club}}

Honours

Plymouth Argyle

Football League Second Division: 2003–04

Career statistics

rowspan="2"\|Club !rowspan="2"\|Season !colspan="3"\|League !colspan="2"\|FA Cup !colspan="2"\|League Cup !colspan="2"\|Other !colspan="2"\|Total
class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
rowspan="1" valign="center"\|Birmingham City \|2002–03{{Soccerbase season\|35625\|2002\|name=Peter Gilbert\|access-date=28 February 2013}} \|Premier League \|0	0	0	0	0	0	colspan="2"\|—	0	0
rowspan="3" valign="center"\|Plymouth Argyle \|2003–04{{Soccerbase season\|35625\|2003\|name=Peter Gilbert\|access-date=28 February 2013}} \|Second Division \|40	1	1	0	1	0	2Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy	1	44	2
2004–05{{Soccerbase season\|35625\|2004\|name=Peter Gilbert\|access-date=28 February 2013}} \|Championship \|38	0	1	0	1	0	colspan="2"\|—	40	0
colspan="2"\|Total !78	1	2	0	2	0	2	1	84	2
rowspan="1" valign="center"\|Leicester City \|2005–06{{Soccerbase season\|35625\|2005\|name=Peter Gilbert\|access-date=28 February 2013}} \|Championship \|5	0	0	0	0	0	colspan="2"\|—	5	0
rowspan="5" valign="center"\|Sheffield Wednesday \|2005–06 \|Championship \|17	0	0	0	0	0	colspan="2"\|—	17	0
2006–07{{Soccerbase season\|35625\|2006\|name=Peter Gilbert\|access-date=28 February 2013}} \|Championship \|6	0	0	0	0	0	colspan="2"\|—	6	0
2007–08{{Soccerbase season\|35625\|2007\|name=Peter Gilbert\|access-date=28 February 2013}} \|Championship \|10	0	0	0	1	0	colspan="2"\|—	11	0
2008–09{{Soccerbase season\|35625\|2008\|name=Peter Gilbert\|access-date=28 February 2013}} \|Championship \|8	0	0	0	1	0	colspan="2"\|—	9	0
colspan="2"\|Total !41	0	0	0	2	0	colspan="2"\|—	43	0
rowspan="1" valign="center"\|Doncaster Rovers (loan) \|2006–07 \|League One \|4	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	5	0
rowspan="1" valign="center"\|Oldham Athletic \|2009–10{{Soccerbase season\|35625\|2009\|name=Peter Gilbert\|access-date=28 February 2013}} \|League One \|5	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	6	0
rowspan="1" valign="center"\|Northampton Town \|2009–10 \|League Two \|30	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	31	0
rowspan="3" valign="center"\|Southend United \|2010–11{{Soccerbase season\|35625\|2010\|name=Peter Gilbert\|access-date=28 February 2013}} \|League Two \|26	0	1	0	1	0	3	0	31	0
2011–12{{Soccerbase season\|35625\|2011\|name=Peter Gilbert\|access-date=28 February 2013}} \|League Two \|31	3	4	0	0	0	53 appearances in Football League Trophy, 2 appearances in Football League Two play-offs	0	40	3
colspan="2"\|Total !57	3	5	0	1	0	8	0	71	3
rowspan="1" valign="center"\|Lincoln City \|2012–13{{Soccerbase season\|35625\|2012\|name=Peter Gilbert\|access-date=28 February 2013}} \|Conference Premier \|14	0	5	0	0	0	1Appearance(s) in FA Trophy	0	20	0
rowspan="1" valign="center"\|Dagenham & Redbridge (loan) \|2012–13 \|League Two \|0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
colspan="3"\|Career total !234	4	13	0	6	0	12	1	265	5