Paul Gibbs

Paul Derek Gibbs (born 26 October 1972 in Gorleston) 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 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 and 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.

Gibbs began playing again for Plymouth's reserves in March 2000. The tabloid press in April 2000 again linked him with a move to London, this time, Leyton Orient. 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. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/brentford/817735.stm Brentford complete deals] ] However, Brentford's financial situation in early 2001 saw Gibbs transfer listed. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/brentford/1849492.stm Hunt agrees Bees' deal] ] He was linked with a move to Division Two rivals Oxford United. Grimsby Town then made an attempt in March 2001 to take Gibbs to Blundell Park on loan but this was rejected by a Brentford board desperately seeking funds.

On 15 March 2002, Gibbs joined Barnsley on a free transfer. He struggled with injury and in May 2003 underwent a groin operation. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/barnsley/3008019.stm Gibbs has operation] ] On 16 October 2003, Gibbs' contract with Barnsley was terminated. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/barnsley/3198450.stm Gibbs leaves Barnsley] ] He was linked with Watford, Bradford City and Brentford. The latter of these he trained with during November 2003 [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/brentford/3244391.stm Olugbodi extends Bees stay] ] and played for their reserves against Aldershot Town. He joined Gravesend & Northfleet later that month, [ [http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?newsmode=FULL&nid=13785 Gravesend snap up former Vase winner] ] leaving in January 2004.

At the end of March 2004, Gibbs joined Canvey Island until the end of the season. [ [http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?newsmode=FULL&nid=16616 Major signings for Canvey] ] On 17 July 2004, Gibbs joined Steve Claridge's Weymouth on a one-year deal, [ [http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?newsmode=FULL&nid=19254 Gibbs in familiar company] ] but in January 2005 returned to Gorleston, [ [http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?newsmode=FULL&nid=23921 Double signing boost for Gorleston] ] later assisting with the coaching at the club.

References