Willie Gibson (footballer, born 1984)

Willie Gibson

Gibson playing for Kilmarnock
Personal information
Full name William Gibson
Date of birth (1984-08-06) 6 August 1984
Place of birth Dumfries, Scotland
Playing position Midfielder
Club information
Current team
 Stranraer
Number 33
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2001–2007 Queen of the South 93 (0)
2007–2009 Kilmarnock 51 (6)
2009–2011 Dunfermline Athletic 49 (15)
2011–2012 Crawley Town 14 (1)
2011–2012 → St Johnstone (loan) 11 (0)
2012 Falkirk 12 (1)
2012–2013 Queen of the South 17 (2)
2013–2014 Celtic Nation
2014 Workington
2014–2015 Stranraer 28 (9)
2015–2016 Dumbarton 18 (2)
2016– Stranraer 26 (4)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 17:48, 6 November 2016 (UTC).


William "Willie" Gibson (born 6 August 1984) is a Scottish footballer who plays for Stranraer as a midfielder.

Gibson has previously played for Queen of the South (twice), Kilmarnock, Dunfermline Athletic, Crawley Town, St Johnstone, Falkirk, Celtic Nation, Workington and Dumbarton.

Career

Queen of the South (First 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. He 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

Gibson joined Killie on 1 March 2007. He made his debut, on 3 March 2007, coming on as a late substitute in a 2–0 win over St Mirren. He would make three more appearance later in the season.

In his first full season at Kilmarnock, Gibson made the perfect start, scoring his first goal in a 2–1 win over Dundee United, just a week after the opening game of the season. On 1 September 2007, he produced another impressive performance in a match against Aberdeen, which Kilmarnock lost 1–0, tormenting the opposition defence.[2] After the match, Gibson said he was disappointed to lose, believing the club had enough possession and created enough chances to earn the victory.[3] Gibson also went on to score three goals against Gretna in three different games.

The next season, Gibson sat out the club's first ten games as an unused substitute. He 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.[4] During a 1–0 loss against Hamilton on 29 November 2008, Gibson wore pink boots in the match so he would stand out.[5] Shortly after he damaged his kneecap in training, ruling him out for five weeks[6] He soon made a recovery from injury a week on[7] On his return, Gibson came on as substitute and provided a double assist, in a 2–0 win over Hibernian.[8] 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.[9] Gibson played in 51 league matches for Kilmarnock and scored six league goals.

Dunfermline Athletic

He signed for Dunfermline Athletic on 23 June 2009 for a nominal fee,[10] having won a race from Partick Thistle.[11] Making his debut for the club, in the Scottish League Cup, providing an assist for David Graham in a 5–0 win over Dumbarton; seven days later, Gibson made his league debut, in 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 defeat to Raith Rovers. Two months after joining the club, Gibson scored his first goals on 10 October 2009, also providing assist for Andy Kirk, in a 3–1 win over Ayr United. Gibson scored another brace in a 3–1 win over Partick. He went to score six more goals in his first season with the club.

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.[12] This was his fifth card in eight games. His sending off was controversial, leaving Dunfermline player's stunned and many Queens players wanting the official to change his mind[13] In total 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, thought to be about £150,000. He had turned down an offer from the club the previous summer.[14][15] He made his debut in the 0–0 draw away to Kettering on 3 February 2011. With only three appearances for Crawley 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.[16] 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.[17] After his loan spell ended, Gibson left Crawley Town by mutual consent.[18]

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 revealed Gibson had signed until the end of the season. After the move, Gibson said his move to Falkirk can revive his career after experiencing a difficult spell at Crawley Town.[19] He made his debut against Greenock Morton at Cappielow on 11 February 2012, coming on as a substitute. He scored his first goal against his former club Queens in the 36th minute on 25 February 2012.[20]

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

Queen of the South (Second Spell)

On 14 June 2012, Gibson returned to Palmerston Park on a one-year contract.[24][25] After the move, Allan Johnston commented that Gibson could help Queen of the South gain promotion straight back up to the First Division.[26]

Gibson left Queens by mutual consent in April 2013 after only 12 starts in all competitions.[27]

Celtic Nation & Workington

After featuring in several friendlies for Workington, Gibson signed for Northern League club Celtic Nation.[28] After leaving Celtic Nation at the end of the 2014–15 season, he signed for Workington on 19 August 2014.[29]

Stranraer & Dumbarton

On 28 August 2014, Gibson signed for Scottish League One club Stranraer.[30] He scored on his debut with a free-kick against former club Dunfermline Athletic.

Gibson signed for Dumbarton in June 2015, teaming up with his former manager at Stranraer, Stevie Aitken.[31] He scored the winner on his debut in a 1–0 win over Edinburgh City.[32] He scored a free-kick winner on his home, league debut against Hibernian[33] and netted again from a free kick the following week in another 2–1 victory, this time over St Mirren. After six months with Dumbarton, Gibson was released from his contract with the Sons,[34] re-signing for former club Stranraer on an 18-month contract.[35]

References

  1. ↑ "Sons of Scotland" Queen of the South FC, 14 September 2010
  2. ↑ "Kilmarnock 0–1 Aberdeen". BBC Sport. 1 September 2007. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  3. ↑ "I'M INSPIRED TO GIB MY ALL". Daily Record. 3 September 2007. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  4. ↑ "Kilmarnock 1–2 Inverness CT". Daily Record. 23 November 2008. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  5. ↑ "Kilmarnock's Willie Gibson out to rise above pink boot jibes to dazzle on pitch". Daily Record. 4 December 2008. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  6. ↑ "Kilmarnock star Willie Gibson facing five weeks out". Daily Record. 10 December 2008. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  7. ↑ "Fit-again trio Taouil, Gibson and Ford hand Kilmarnock early Christmas boost". Daily Record. 24 December 2008. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  8. ↑ "Hibernian 2 – 4 Kilmarnock". Daily Record. 29 December 2008. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  9. ↑ "Young Killie FC fan gets to meet his heroes" www.kilmarnockstandard.co.uk 9 February 2009
  10. ↑ "Gibson joins Pars from Kilmarnock" BBC Sport website (23 June 2009)
  11. ↑ "Jags eye Gib". The Scottish Sun. 16 June 2009. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  12. ↑ "Dunfermline Athletic 1 – 0 Queen of the South" www.qosfc.com 11 December 2010
  13. ↑ "Spotlight on Division One". The Scottish Sun. 12 December 2010. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  14. ↑ BBC Sport – Football – Crawley Town sign Dunfermline's Willie Gibson
  15. ↑ "Pars winger Willie Gibson rejects Crawley move". BBC Sport. 10 August 2010. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  16. ↑ "Homesick Willie Gibson joins St Johnstone from Crawley on loan". BBC Sport. 24 August 2011. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  17. ↑ "St Johnstone 3 – 0 Livingston". BBC Sport. 24 August 2011. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  18. ↑ "Gibson exits, Smith loaned out and Town on TV". This is Sussex. 1 February 2012. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  19. ↑ "Gibson looks to rekindle career with Falkirk after misery at Saints". Falkirk Herald. 9 February 2012. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  20. ↑ "WILLIE GIBSON JOINS BAIRNS" www.falkirkfc.co.uk 2 February 2012
  21. ↑ "Gibson: I've apologised and I was wrong – but so was learning from texts". Falkirk Herald. 23 April 2012. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  22. ↑
  23. ↑ "Falkirk winger Willie Gibson: I've been made a scapegoat by Bairns boss Steven Pressley". Daily Record. 23 April 2012. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  24. ↑ "Gibson Signs On". QOSFC.com. 14 June 2012. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  25. ↑ "Scottish Division Two ins and outs". BBC Sport. BBC. 7 August 2012. Retrieved 8 August 2012.
  26. ↑ "New signing Willie Gibson can lead Queen of the South promotion push, says Allan Johnston". Daily Record. 15 June 2012. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  27. ↑ "Doonhamers keep hold of four but lose one". Scottish Football League. 18 April 2013. Retrieved 18 April 2013.
  28. ↑ "Willie Gibson joins Celtic Nation". Scottish Professional Football League. 8 August 2013. Retrieved 29 August 2014.
  29. ↑ "Wullie Gibson to make debut for Workington Reds tonight". News & Star. 19 August 2014. Retrieved 29 August 2014.
  30. ↑ "Signing News". Stranraer F.C. 28 August 2014. Retrieved 29 August 2014.
  31. ↑ "Signing News: Gibson agrees Sons move". Stranraer F.C. 17 June 2015. Retrieved 17 June 2015.
  32. ↑ http://www.dumbartonfootballclub.com/matchreports/?id=835
  33. ↑ http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33744899
  34. ↑ "Wullie moves on". dumbartonfootballclub.com. 5 January 2016. Retrieved 5 January 2016.
  35. ↑ http://spfl.co.uk/news/article/gibson-returns-to-stranraer/
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