Dave Gibson (footballer)

Dave Gibson
Personal information
Full name David Wedderburn Gibson
Date of birth (1938-09-23) 23 September 1938
Place of birth Kirkliston, West Lothian, Scotland
Playing position Inside left
Youth career
Livingston United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1956–1962 Hibernian 41 (8)
1962–1970 Leicester City 280 (41)
1970–1972 Aston Villa 19 (1)
1972–1974 Exeter City 71 (3)
Total 411 (53)
National team
1963–1964 Scotland 7 (3)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only.


David "Dave" (or "Davie") Wedderburn Gibson (born 23 September 1938 in Kirkliston, West Lothian) was a Scottish footballer who played for Livingston United, Hibernian, Leicester City, Aston Villa, Exeter City and the Scotland national team.

Considered to be one of the finest and most skilful players in Leicester's history,[1][2] he was the playmaker and creative force of the great Leicester side of the 1960s under Matt Gillies, including the "Ice Kings" side that fell just short of winning the double in 1962–63.

He scored in both legs of Leicester's 1964 League Cup final victory and also played in a further 3 cup finals for the club.[3]

Gibson earnt 7 caps and scored 3 goals for Scotland, including a goal against Spain at the Santiago Bernabéu just 12 months before Spain became European Champions.[4]

Career

Early career

Gibson, an inside forward, was signed by Hibernian from local side Livingston United in 1956. Gibson had grown up as a fan of their Edinburgh derby rivals Hearts, but was offered a better deal by Hibernian.[5] He made his debut for Hibs alongside four of the Famous Five forward line, replacing Bobby Johnstone.[5] After six years with the Edinburgh club he joined English club Leicester City in January 1962 for a fee reported to have been £40,000.

Leicester City

Gibson's joined Leicester while still on national service, so his appearances in 1961–62 season were restricted. He eventually made his debut on 2 March 1962.[6] However, the following season, Gibson began to form a deadly partnership down the left-flank of Leicester's attack with Mike Stringfellow[1] and became a key fixture in the Leicester side as they chased the double with the club sitting top of the league with 5 games to go and reaching the FA Cup Final, though they eventually fell short in both competitions. Gibson then helped Leicester to victory in the 1964 League Cup final scoring a goal in both legs of the final. He also helped Leicester to the 1965 League Cup final and the 1969 FA Cup Final, though they lost on both occasions.

Late career and retirement

He moved to Aston Villa in September 1970 where he remained for two years before ending his career with Exeter City. He retired in 1974.

He later became a postman before running a residential care centre in Whetstone in Leicestershire.[3]

International career

Gibson made his debut for Scotland in a 4–1 victory over Austria in front of 94,500 fans at Hampden Park on 4 May 1963 in a game that was abandoned after 79 minutes after the Austrian team's foul tactics caused referee Jim Finney to abandon the game in fear of player safety.[3][4][5] Gibson played well enough to retain his place, in the absence of Spurs player John White, for end of season friendly matches against Norway, Republic of Ireland and Spain.[5] His first international goal came in a famous 6–2 victory against Spain in the Bernabéu Stadium, Madrid.[5]

He earnt 7 caps overall, scoring 3 times.

International goals

Scores and results list Scotland's goal tally first.
# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 13 June 1963 Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid  Spain 2–1 2–6 Friendly
2 3 October 1964 Ninian Park, Cardiff  Wales 2–1 2–3 1965 British Home Championship
3 21 October 1964 Hampden Park, Glasgow  Finland 3–0 3–1 1966 World Cup qualification

Honours

As a player

Leicester City F.C.

References

  1. 1 2 Dave Smith & Paul Taylor (2010). Of Fossils and Foxes. ISBN 1-905411-94-4.
  2. ↑ Lymn, Chris (1998). We Love You Leicester! : a popular history of Leicester City. Leicester: CRL. ISBN 0-9534409-0-7.
  3. 1 2 3 Leicester City legend David Gibson would love to be playing today thisisleicestershire.com, retrieved, 24 October 2013
  4. 1 2 Scotland – International Matches 1961–1965 rsssf.com, retrieved 20 March 2011
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 Vallance, Matt (13 June 2013). "The night Scotland hit Spain for six in Madrid". The Scotsman. Johnston Publishing. Retrieved 16 June 2013.
  6. ↑ "Gibson, Dave: The Legends Questionnaire". Leicester Mercury. Archived from the original on 14 August 2007. Retrieved 24 October 2013.
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