Willie Gibson (footballer, born 1984)

Willie Gibson

Gibson playing for Kilmarnock
Personal information
Full nameWilliam Gibson
Date of birth6 August 1984
Place of birthDumfries, Scotland
Playing positionMidfielder
Club information
Current team
Stranraer
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
2001–2007Queen of the South93(0)
2007–2009Kilmarnock51(6)
2009–2011Dunfermline Athletic49(15)
2011–2012Crawley Town14(1)
2011–2012→ St. Johnstone (loan)11(0)
2012Falkirk12(1)
2012–2013Queen of the South20(2)
2013-2014Celtic Nation
2014Workington
2014–Stranraer20(3)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 13:48, 19 February 2015 (UTC).
† Appearances (Goals).

William "Willie" Gibson (born 6 August 1984) is a Scottish footballer who plays for Stranraer. Gibson's primary position is in midfield. He has previously played for Queen of the South, Kilmarnock, Dunfermline Athletic, Crawley Town, St. Johnstone, Falkirk, Celtic Nation and Workington.

Career

Queen of the South (1st Spell)

Born in Dumfries, Gibson started his senior career with hometown club Queen of the South. Gibson made his debut on the final day of the season as Queen of the South were defeated 1-0 by Queen's Park. Gibson played in 93 league matches for the Dumfries club without scoring a goal. Gibson did score his solitary goal for Queens during his first spell with a 50th minute winner in a 2–1 Scottish Cup third round match versus Montrose on 8 January 2005.

Gibson joined top flight outfit Kilmarnock from the Palmerston Park side in early 2007, in a deal which saw Stevie Murray and Jamie Adams join Queens on loan for the rest of the 2006–07 season. Gibson's last game for Queens, a Scottish Cup quarter final tie at home against Hibernian, was one of some controversy. Queens manager Ian McCall selected Adams to play, despite Adams having been an unused sub for Kilmarnock in that season's Scottish Cup third round. Queens were subsequently fined £20,000 by the SFA for fielding a 'cup tied' player. Queens chairman Davie Rae said of the fine "it's a substantial sum".[1]

Kilmarnock

Having to join Killie until 1 March 2007, Frazer Wright believes that Gibson could make an impact at the club.[2] Gibson made his debut, on 3 March 2007, coming on as a substitute in a late minute, in a 2–0 win over St. Mirren and would make three more appearance later in the season.

The next full season at Kilmarnock, Gibson soon make a perfect start, scoring his first goal in a 2–1 win over Dundee United, just one-week after the opening game of the season. On 1 September 2007, Gibson made an impressive performance in a match against Aberdeen, which Kilmarnock lose 1–0, after tormenting the opposition team's defence.[3] After the match, Gibson says he was disappointed to lose the match, believing the club had enough possession and created enough chances to win the match.[4] Gibson also scored three goals against Gretna in three different games.

The next season, Gibson sat out the club's first ten games of the 2008–09 season, having appeared as an unused substitute in the matches. Gibson played his first match of the season, providing assist, as Killie lost 2–1 against Falkirk. On 22 November 2008, Gibson scored his first goal of the season, in a 2–1 loss against Inverness Caledonian Thistle.[5] During a 1–0 loss against Hamilton on 29 November 2008, Gibson wore pink boots in the match and says he wore it, so it would stand out his performance in the match.[6] Shortly after, Gibson soon damaged his kneecap in training, ruling him out for five weeks[7] and soon made a recovery from injury a week on[8] On his return, Gibson went on as substitute and provided a double assist, in a 2–0 win over Hibernian.[9] Before kick-off in a match against Hearts, Gibson struck a ball which caught a young Killie fan on the back of the head. As an apology, the young fan was treated to a day out behind-the-scenes at Rugby Park and was also presented with a pair of football boots by him.[10] Gibson played in 51 league matches for Kilmarnock and scored six league goals.

Dunfermline Athletic

Gibson signed for Dunfermline Athletic on 23 June 2009 for a nominal fee,[11] having won a race from Partick Thistle.[12] Gibson made his debut for the club, in the Scottish League Cup, providing assist for David Graham in a 5–0 win over Dumbarton; seven days later, Gibson made his league debut, on the opening game of the season, in a 1–0 loss against Inverness. A week later, Gibson received a straight red for a clash with Darren Smith in a 3–1 loss against Raith Rovers. Two months since joining the club, Gibson scored his first goal and scored another, on 10 October 2009, and also providing assist for Andy Kirk, in a 3–1 win over Ayr United. Gibson also scored another brace in a 3–1 win over Partick. Gibson since went to score six more goals in his first season.

In his second season, Gibson continued his goalscoring form, with his first brace of the season, as Dunfermline Athletic drew 2–2 with Dundee on 23 October 2010. Playing against his former club Queens on 11 December 2010 he was given a straight red card.[13] This was his fifth card in eight games. His sending off was controversial, leaving Dunfermline player's stunned and many player of the opposition teams to wanted the official to change their mind[14] Gibson played in 49 league matches for Dunfermline and scored 15 league goals.

Crawley Town

On 31 January 2011, Gibson signed for non-league Crawley Town for an undisclosed fee, worth about for £150,000. He had turned down an offer from the club the previous summer.[15][16] He made his debut in the 0–0 draw away to Kettering on 3 February 2011. With only three appearances for Crawley Town under his belt, on 19 February 2011, Gibson started in the FA Cup tie against Manchester United at Old Trafford. Manchester United went through courtesy of a solitary goal by Wes Brown.

On 24 August 2011, Gibson returned north of the border to join Perth side St. Johnstone in a loan deal until the end of January 2012. Gibson had been feeling homesick, as his two young children had remained in Scotland since his move down south.[17] Gibson made his debut for St Johnstone on 24 August 2011 versus Livingston in the Scottish League Cup, in a 3–0 home win, where he set up the first two goals.[18] After his loan spell ended, Gibson left Crawley Town by mutual consent.[19]

Falkirk

On 31 January 2012 STV reported on their website that Gibson had signed for Falkirk. This was not officially confirmed until 2 February 2012 when the club announced they had signed Gibson until the end of the season. After the move, Gibson says his move to Falkirk can revive his career after having a misery spell at Crawley Town.[20] He then made his debut against Greenock Morton at Cappielow on 11 February 2012 after coming on as a substitute. He scored his first goal against his former club Queens in the 36th minute on 25 February 2012 with an absolute screamer.[21]

Gibson stormed out of the Falkirk Stadium after being substituted against Raith Rovers on 21 April 2012. After the match, Gibson apologised for his action.[22] However, Falkirk manager Steven Pressley said that Gibson would never play for Falkirk again.[23] In response, Gibson said he was treated as a scapegoat by Pressley and criticised him for dishing the dirt on him in public.[24] At the end of the season Gibson's contract was not renewed and he left the club.

Queen of the South (2nd Spell)

On 14 June 2012, Gibson returned to Palmerston Park on a one-year contract.[25][26] After the move, Allan Johnston commented that Gibson could help Queen of the South gain promotion straight back up to the First Division.[27]

Gibson left Queens by mutual consent in April 2013.[28]

Celtic Nation and Workington

After featuring in several friendlies for Workington, Gibson signed for Northern League club Celtic Nation.[29] After leaving Celtic Nation at the end of the 2014–15 season, he signed for Workington on 19 August 2014.[30]

Stranraer

On 28 August 2014, Gibson signed for Scottish League One club Stranraer.[31] He scored on his début by scoring a free kick by Dunfermline Athletics on-loan goalie Ryan Scully.

References

  1. ↑ "Sons of Scotland" Queen of the South FC, 14 September 2010
  2. ↑ "Wright backs new signing Gibson". BBC Sport. 3 March 2007. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  3. ↑ "Kilmarnock 0–1 Aberdeen". BBC Sport. 1 September 2007. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  4. ↑ "I'M INSPIRED TO GIB MY ALL". Daily Record. 3 September 2007. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  5. ↑ "Kilmarnock 1–2 Inverness CT". Daily Record. 23 November 2008. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  6. ↑ "Kilmarnock's Willie Gibson out to rise above pink boot jibes to dazzle on pitch". Daily Record. 4 December 2008. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  7. ↑ "Kilmarnock star Willie Gibson facing five weeks out". Daily Record. 10 December 2008. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  8. ↑ "Fit-again trio Taouil, Gibson and Ford hand Kilmarnock early Christmas boost". Daily Record. 24 December 2008. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  9. ↑ "Hibernian 2 – 4 Kilmarnock". Daily Record. 29 December 2008. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  10. ↑ "Young Killie FC fan gets to meet his heroes" www.kilmarnockstandard.co.uk 9 February 2009
  11. ↑ "Gibson joins Pars from Kilmarnock" BBC Sport website (23 June 2009)
  12. ↑ "Jags eye Gib". The Scottish Sun. 16 June 2009. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  13. ↑ "Dunfermline Athletic 1 – 0 Queen of the South" www.qosfc.com 11 December 2010
  14. ↑ "Spotlight on Division One". The Scottish Sun. 12 December 2010. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  15. ↑ BBC Sport – Football – Crawley Town sign Dunfermline's Willie Gibson
  16. ↑ "Pars winger Willie Gibson rejects Crawley move". BBC Sport. 10 August 2010. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  17. ↑ "Homesick Willie Gibson joins St Johnstone from Crawley on loan". BBC Sport. 24 August 2011. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  18. ↑ "St Johnstone 3 – 0 Livingston". BBC Sport. 24 August 2011. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  19. ↑ "Gibson exits, Smith loaned out and Town on TV". This is Sussex. 1 February 2012. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  20. ↑ "Gibson looks to rekindle career with Falkirk after misery at Saints". Falkirk Herald. 9 February 2012. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  21. ↑ "WILLIE GIBSON JOINS BAIRNS" www.falkirkfc.co.uk 2 February 2012
  22. ↑ "Gibson: I’ve apologised and I was wrong – but so was learning from texts". Falkirk Herald. 23 April 2012. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  23. ↑
  24. ↑ "Falkirk winger Willie Gibson: I've been made a scapegoat by Bairns boss Steven Pressley". Daily Record. 23 April 2012. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  25. ↑ "Gibson Signs On". QOSFC.com. 14 June 2012. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  26. ↑ "Scottish Division Two ins and outs". BBC Sport (BBC). 7 August 2012. Retrieved 8 August 2012.
  27. ↑ "New signing Willie Gibson can lead Queen of the South promotion push, says Allan Johnston". Daily Record. 15 June 2012. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  28. ↑ "Doonhamers keep hold of four but lose one". Scottish Football League. 18 April 2013. Retrieved 18 April 2013.
  29. ↑ "Willie Gibson joins Celtic Nation". Scottish Professional Football League. 8 August 2013. Retrieved 29 August 2014.
  30. ↑ "Wullie Gibson to make debut for Workington Reds tonight". News & Star. 19 August 2014. Retrieved 29 August 2014.
  31. ↑ "Signing News". Stranraer F.C. 28 August 2014. Retrieved 29 August 2014.

External links