Nigel Gibbs

Nigel James Gibbs (born 20 November 1965) is an English professional football manager and former player who is an assistant coach at Swansea City. He previously worked as a coach with the Under-19 squad of Tottenham Hotspur.^[1] A Watford supporter, as well as a product of their youth system, Gibbs spent his entire professional career as a right back for the club. He was assistant manager of Leeds United after being appointed on 12 April 2013 alongside Brian McDermott, whom he assisted at Reading. He departed from Leeds United in August 2014.^[2]

Gibbs made his Watford debut in 1983, in front of 38,000 spectators in a UEFA Cup match against Sparta Prague. In his early career Gibbs also played nine times for the England youth team, and five times for England under-21s. Under the management of Graham Taylor, Gibbs eventually established himself as a first-team player at Watford, making 100 Football League appearances before the club's relegation from the First Division in 1988. Gibbs remained a key player for the team in the Second Division, and was voted Watford F.C. Player of the Season in 1992.

Manager Glenn Roeder appointed Gibbs as club captain for the 1992–93 season, but a series of serious injuries restricted him to 33 appearances over the following four seasons. When his contract expired in 1996, Gibbs considered retirement, but he went on to earn a new contract and make the most appearances of any Watford player in 1996–97. Gibbs featured regularly in Watford's rise from the Second Division^{[lower-alpha 1]} to the Premier League between 1997 and 1999, and went on to play a further 17 games at the top level of English football. Watford were relegated in 2000, and Gibbs made eight further appearances before retiring in 2002.

Gibbs remained at Watford as a coach, primarily working with the youth and reserve teams. He took charge of the first team for a week following Ray Lewington's sacking as manager in 2005, but in turn was dismissed by incoming manager Aidy Boothroyd just before the start of the following season. After taking a year off to acquire the UEFA Pro Licence, Gibbs joined Reading as youth team manager in 2006, and became assistant manager in 2009–10. He continued in this role, and in 2011–12 Reading won the Football League Championship title, earning promotion to the Premier League.

Early life

Born in the city of St Albans, Hertfordshire, Gibbs attended How Wood primary school, and as a nine-year-old striker helped his team win a district six-a-side competition.^[3] Gibbs began training with and supporting Watford from an early age, and was watching from the Main Stand at Vicarage Road as Watford sealed the Fourth Division title in 1978. Although part of Watford's youth system, he occasionally played for St Albans City's youth team due to their close proximity to his home and school. He also played for Hertfordshire schools at under-14 to under-16 levels.^[4]

Although initially a striker, Gibbs switched to the position of right-back as a teenager. Further success came with Watford's youth teams; he played in the first leg of the youth team's 7–6 aggregate FA Youth Cup win against Manchester United in 1982, and in the final as Watford finished runners up in the Southern Junior Floodlit Cup. These performances earned him a callup to England's youth team, for whom he played nine times. However, after signing as an apprentice in July 1982, Gibbs played in midfield for the reserves. Due to his height, first team manager Graham Taylor was concerned about Gibbs' ability to cope with the physicality of being a first-team full back, and placed 17-year-old Gibbs on a steak and Guinness diet as an attempt to "beef him up."^[4]

Professional career

Turning professional in the First Division

Gibbs turned professional on 20 November 1983. Three days later, he made his Watford debut in a UEFA Cup third round home match against Sparta Prague at the club's stadium, Vicarage Road. He also played in the away fixture, in front of 38,000 spectators. Faced with snowy conditions in Prague, Watford were eliminated 7–2 on aggregate.^[5][6] Gibbs made his first Football League appearances in Watford's final three First Division games of 1983–84, including as a substitute in a 2–1 win over Arsenal. However, he was not selected for the 1984 FA Cup final.^[6]

Gibbs, now 18, returned to the reserves for much of the following season. Watford's first-team struggled, failing to win any of their first nine league games. Although his first start of the season ended in an 2–0 defeat to Queens Park Rangers, Gibbs retained his place for 10 of the remaining 11 matches, experiencing only one further defeat.^[7] Continuing in this vein, 1985–86 saw Gibbs establish himself as the team's first choice right-back. He missed only two games all season, both of which resulted in defeat for Watford. His first goal came on 5 April 1986 in a 4–1 home victory over Newcastle United, while he also played in a 5–1 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on the final day of the season.^[8] Gibbs' consistency helped him to third place in the voting for the club's Player of the Season award.^[9]

After suffering a foot injury at the start of 1986–87, Gibbs was restricted to 18 appearances as his team finished the season 9th in the First Division. However, the departure of Graham Taylor and arrival of Dave Bassett the following season signalled a decline in the club's fortunes. Gibbs lost his place shortly before Bassett's departure in January, and although he soon returned to the side under Steve Harrison, Watford were relegated in 1988.^[4][10] At the time of the club's relegation, Gibbs had made precisely 100 First Division appearances.^[11]

Second Division

Despite the disappointment of relegation, Gibbs started 1988–89 strongly. The defender played every minute of Watford's four opening fixtures, with the team keeping four consecutive clean sheets. During this run, he also scored the only goal of the game against West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns. Playing in all 46 league games, Gibbs finished second in the Player of the Season vote behind Glyn Hodges. Watford finished the season in a play-off position, behind Chelsea, Manchester City and Crystal Palace. The team faced Blackburn Rovers in the semi-finals, drawing both games but being eliminated on the away goals rule. The following season saw Watford slip down to 15th, although they did keep 11 clean sheets in the 41 games that Gibbs played in. Gibbs briefly lost his place in the team following Harrison being replaced by Colin Lee, but regained it before the end of the campaign.^[12]

An injury sustained on 25 August 1990 kept Gibbs out for two months, and once he had regained full fitness, his team were bottom of the table.^[13] His return coincided with a winless run of seven league matches, leaving Watford seven points from safety with nearly half the season gone.^[14] Nonetheless, Watford managed to climb to 20th place, and despite missing 14 games, Gibbs was once again shortlisted for the club's end of season award.^[9][15] In 1991–92 Gibbs finally became Player of the Season. Missing only three matches, he rounded off a good season by scoring his first goal in four years in Watford's last league game, cementing a top-ten finish in the Second Division.^[16]

Career threatening injury

Gibbs was appointed club captain at the start of the 1992–93 season.^[5] The team started the season with three First Division^{[lower-alpha 1]} defeats in their opening six games, keeping just one clean sheet. However, on an individual level the season was to get even worse for Gibbs. He sustained a knee injury against Notts County on 7 September 1992, putting him out of first team contention for six weeks. During his comeback, at home to Tranmere Rovers, Gibbs aggravated the previous injury, putting him out of action for more than two years.^[5] Concern over the injury, coupled with the good form of Gerard Lavin, restricted Gibbs' opportunities under Glenn Roeder in 1994–95.^[4][17]

After making only nine appearances during Watford's 1995–96 relegation season, general manager Graham Taylor released him upon the expiry of his contract, over injury concerns. Gibbs considered retirement.^[18][19]

Comeback and return to the top division

Despite receiving enquiries from other clubs, he stayed at Vicarage Road for pre-season, in the hope of regaining his match fitness. After proving that he had recovered, Gibbs was offered a short term contract at the club, which was eventually extended.^[6] Newly relegated Watford finished 13th of 24 teams in 1996–97. They conceded 38 goals in 46 league matches, the joint-best defensive record in the division.^[20] Gibbs missed just one of the club's 57 fixtures, scoring in a game against Brentford. The defender later noted the irony that having been released as an injury concern, he ended up playing more games the following season than any of his teammates.^[6][21]

Kenny Jackett stood down as manager following Watford's disappointing season, becoming assistant to Graham Taylor. The effect was immediate; Watford won six of their first seven league games, eventually becoming 1997–98 Second Division champions and earning promotion. Gibbs played part of the season at left-back due to an injury to Paul Robinson, although in turn Gibbs also missed games to injury.^[4][22] He started the 1998–99 season as a first-team regular, but sustained an injury in a game against Bolton on 20 October 1998, and only made two further appearances.^[23] Nonetheless, Watford secured promotion via the playoffs in Gibbs' absence, and when Watford won the play-off final to secure promotion, Gibbs was the first person to celebrate the win with Taylor.^[6]

Later years and retirement

Gibbs played in Watford's 1–0 Premier League win over Coventry City on 14 May 2000.

When fit, Gibbs had been Watford's first choice right-back since 1985, with the exception of 1994–95, where Gerard Lavin's form kept a recovering Gibbs in the reserves. A combination of Gibbs' age, and a desire to acquire more strength in depth for the Premier League, prompted Taylor to sign right-backs Des Lyttle and Neil Cox in 1999.^[4][6] Despite the competition, Gibbs managed to make 20 appearances in 1999–2000, and his Premier League experience included victories over Chelsea, Coventry City and Southampton, although these were not enough to prevent relegation back to the First Division.^[24][25]

By now in his mid thirties, first team opportunities became scarce for Gibbs in 2000–01. He made only seven first team appearances, although Watford managed to avoid defeat in six of those. His final appearance, and only game under Gianluca Vialli, came on 24 April 2002. An 82nd-minute substitute, Gibbs was unable to prevent a late Gillingham goal, which secured them a 3–2 victory. Among Gillingham's players for Gibbs' professional swansong was Andy Hessenthaler, the man who became Watford captain after Gibbs' injury.^[4] Gibbs retired as Watford's second highest all-time appearance maker, although he started more matches than Luther Blissett, the man ahead of him.^[26]

Style of play

Considerably shorter than the average footballer at 5 ft 7in, Gibbs made up for his physical disadvantage with positional play, determination, accurate tackling, and staying on his feet. Although a defender, his lack of goals (7 in 491 appearances) and reluctance to get forward were often remarked upon.^[4][27] Gibbs refuted the suggestion that he didn't attack enough, while former managers Roeder and Taylor both considered Gibbs to be an excellent crosser of the ball when he did venture forward.^[4] He scored his first professional goal during his 59th game.^[28] By comparison, Gibbs' long-term successor at right-back, Lloyd Doyley, scored his first professional goal on his 269th appearance.^[29]

Career statistics

Key

Managing career

After retiring, Gibbs served Watford as a coach for three years, initially working with the reserve and youth teams, and later as an assistant manager. During this period he oversaw the development of players such as Ashley Young, Lloyd Doyley and Hamer Bouazza, and helped Watford to a Premier Reserve League win in 2002–03.^[31] Following Ray Lewington's sacking in March 2005, Gibbs briefly managed Watford on a caretaker basis, although his reign did not include a single game.^[32][33] Following the appointment of Aidy Boothroyd, Gibbs left Watford in July. Having had a formal connection with the club since the 1970s, he felt that his departure had been "very poorly handled".^[34] In 2006, Gibbs received his UEFA Pro Licence, which means he can manage any football club in England on a full-time basis.^[35] At the beginning of the 2006–07 season, Gibbs joined the management team at Reading, where his initial responsibility was working with the younger players at the club. Further Premier Reserve League success followed in 2007, and Gibbs was promoted to the role of assistant manager in 2009–10.^[36][37] On the penultimate game of the season, Reading faced Watford at Vicarage Road. A Reading victory would have put their opponents in danger of relegation, but Watford emerged 3–0 winners to seal their Championship survival.^[38][39] Gibbs remained at Reading under the management of Brian McDermott, and in 2011–12 the team won the Football League Championship, earning promotion to the Premier League.^[40] He left Reading on 11 March 2013 following McDermott's departure as manager.^[41]

Following the departure of Neil Warnock in April 2013, Brian McDermott took over as manager of Leeds United on 12 April 2013 on a 3-year contract, with Nigel Gibbs joining him at the club as Assistant Manager.^[42]

On 1 February 2014, after the dismissal of Brian McDermott, Gibbs took charge of Leeds United as caretaker manager in the 5-1 win over local rivals Huddersfield Town.^[43]

On 15 December 2014, Gibbs was appointed first-team coach at Millwall. ^[44]

Personal life

Gibbs was born into a football family. His father Dennis had played for Hitchin Town, Hemel Hempstead Town and St Albans City, while father-in-law Alan helped form the youth team Nascot Wood Rangers.^[4][45] Although a Watford supporter from childhood, Gibbs is related to supporters of both Watford and Luton Town, despite the rivalry between the two. He maintains a connection with his former club, regularly attending club events and occasionally playing for their masters football team.^[26][46]

Among others, Gibbs remains close friends with former teammates Luther Blissett and Kenny Jackett, both of whom coached him after ending their playing careers. Owing to his long association with the club, he is also a friend of Elton John, and once filled in as a backup singer for John on a Watford tour of China.^[6] During the "Let's buy back the Vic" fundraising show at Vicarage Road in 2005, John dedicated his performance of Electricity to Gibbs' wedding anniversary.^[47]

Honours

• Watford F.C. Player of the Season

• Winner: 1991–92
• Shortlisted: 1985–86, 1988–89, 1990–91, 1996–1997

• Watford F.C. Hall of Fame

• Inducted: 2010

• FA Youth Cup

• Winner: 1981–82

• Football League First Division

• Promotion: 1998–99^{[lower-alpha 14]}

• Football League Second Division

• Winner: 1997–98

Notes

References

General

• Phillips, Oliver (1991). The Official Centenary History of Watford FC. Watford Football Club. ISBN 0-9509601-6-0. 
• Jones, Trefor (1996). The Watford Football Club Illustrated Who's Who. ISBN 0-9527458-0-1. 
• Jones, Trefor (1998). Watford Season by Season. ISBN 0-9527458-1-X. 
• Phillips, Oliver (2001). The Golden Boys: A Study of Watford's Cult Heroes. Alpine Press Ltd. ISBN 0-9528631-6-2. 
• Nigel Gibbs' at Soccerbase

Specific