George Gibson (footballer, born 1912)

George Eardley Gibson (29 August 1912 – 30 December 1990) was an English professional footballer who played as an inside left. Gibson was an early pioneer of British overseas footballers, 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.

George Gibson
Personal information
Full name George Eardley Gibson[1]
Date of birth (1912-08-29)29 August 1912[1][2]
Place of birth Biddulph, England
Date of death 30 December 1990(1990-12-30) (aged 78)
Position(s) Inside left
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
Kidderminster Harriers
1931–1932 Frickley Colliery
1932–1934 Sunderland 2 (1)
1934–1935 Leicester City 2 (0)
1935–1936 Valenciennes
1935–1936 Distillery
1936–1937 Shelbourne
1936–1937 RC Roubaix
1937–1938 Workington
1938–1939 Bradford City 3 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Early career

Born in Biddulph, Staffordshire, Gibson began his career with Kidderminster Harriers[1] 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 appearances in the Football League First Division[2] before moving to Leicester City, for whom he also played in the Football League.[3]

Foreign career

In 1935 Gibson became one of the early English professional footballers to play abroad when he signed for Valenciennes, 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 RC Roubaix, who had just secured top-flight football.[4]

Return to England

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 three league appearances.[5]

Sources
  • Frost, Terry (1988). Bradford City A Complete Record 1903-1988. Breedon Books Sport. ISBN 0-907969-38-0.

References
  1. Joyce, Michael (2004). Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939. Nottingham: SoccerData. p. 99. ISBN 978-1-899468-67-6.
  2. The Stat Cat George Gibson
  3. Leicester FC Miscellany - David Clayton
  4. Frickley Athletic Museum - George Gibson
  5. Frost, p. 382
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