Steve Gibson (businessman)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Steve Gibson
Born	1958 Middlesbrough, Teesside, England
Occupation	Entrepreneur, football club chairman

Steve Gibson (born 1958 in Middlesbrough, Teesside ) is an entrepreneur and the chairman and owner of Middlesbrough Football Club. He is acclaimed in Middlesbrough for being a local working class man who made good. In 2008, he was 644th on the Sunday Times Rich List with an estimated worth of £112 million.^[1]

Contents 1 Biography 2 Bulkhaul Limited 3 Relationship with Middlesbrough F.C. 3.1 Taking control 3.2 Chairman 3.3 Popularity on Teesside 4 References and notes

[edit] Biography

A self-made millionaire, Gibson was born in Middlesbrough and was raised in the tough Park End area of the town.

Gibson became Middlesbrough's youngest ever Labour councillor, being elected to represent Park End at the age of 21.^[2]

Gibson is married to Vicky, with whom he has one daughter, Katie.^[3]

[edit] Bulkhaul Limited

In 1981 he founded Bulkhaul Limited, a company dedicated to the global transportation of bulk liquids, powders and gasses. He set up the company by borrowing £1,000 from his father. Gibson is joint owner with Michael O'Neill of Gibson O'Neill, the holding company for Bulkhaul Limited.^[4]

[edit] Relationship with Middlesbrough F.C.

[edit] Taking control

Gibson is a lifelong Middlesbrough fan, having attended matches with future player Chris Kamara at Ayresome Park as a youngster.^[5] He joined the board as the club's youngest ever director at the tender age of 26 while Willie Maddren was manager.^[6] He was instrumental in saving the club from liquidation in by forming a consortium in 1986. In 1993 he bought Scottish & Newcastle's shares in the club,^[7] subsequently succeeding Colin Henderson as club chairman in 1994.^[8] He currently owns about 90% of the club.^[9]

[edit] Chairman

Gibson saw the club leave Ayresome Park in 1995 for the Riverside Stadium, a brand new all-seater stadium.^[10] He also made money available for the purchase of big-name players. Steve's appointment of Bryan Robson as manager in May 1994 helped raise the profile of the club and achieve three Wembley cup final appearances within 12 months during 1997 and 1998.^[11] As a result of this investment the club was able to win its first trophy in 128 years, the English League Cup. His tenure as chairman has also seen the club reach the UEFA Cup final, Europe's second biggest club cup competition. Gibson has since stated that his aim for the club is to see it play more regular European football.^[12]

Gibson is well known for his support of his managers.^[13] Current manager Gareth Southgate said

"I am delighted for him [Gibson] because he's given me an opportunity here knowing that I am lacking experience. But I am picking that up all the time and I am determined to reward the faith he has had in me."^[14]

[edit] Popularity on Teesside

Such is his popularity in Middlesbrough, he has been given the freedom of the town.^[15] He is probably the only chairman in English football that regularly has his name chanted by the clubs fans.^[16] Gibson has also been praised by the local council for his contribution to the football club as well as to the region as a whole.^[17]

Gibson is widely regarded as one the best chairmen in the Premiership.^[18] As a result of this, the fans of Middlesbrough FC have nicknamed him the "King of Teesside".^[19]

[edit] References and notes