Ian Gibson
Personal information
Place of birth Scotland
Position(s) Winger
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1973–1976 Fitzroy United Alexander 74 (31)
1977 South Melbourne Hellas 24 (5)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 12 October 2016

Ian Gibson is a Scottish retired association football (soccer) player. Gibson is most notable for being a regular first team player for Fitzroy United Alexander in the Victorian State League.[1] Gibson is also notable for playing for South Melbourne Hellas in the National Soccer League's inaugural season in 1977.[2]

Career

Fitzroy United Alexander (1973-1976)

After his arrival from Scotland, Gibson began his football career in Melbourne, Australia signing with Fitzroy United Alexander (now Heidelberg United) in the fast growing Victorian State League for the 1973 season. Gibson made his debut for the club in the second round on 8 April 1973, against future National Soccer League club South Melbourne Hellas in a 0-1 loss at Olympic Park Stadium.[3] His first goal for the club came four rounds later on 5 May 1973, against Brunswick Juventus being the first the goal in 2-0 victory.[4]

In what was the club's first ever competitive home match at the Brunswick Street Oval on 13 April 1975, following the club coming to an agreement with both the Fitzroy Lions and Fitzroy Cricket Club, Gibson scored the first goal in what would finish to be a 2-0 victory over South Melbourne Hellas in front of a near modern-day capacity crowd of 14'500 spectators in the memorable debut for the club.[5]

In the four seasons Gibson spent with the North Fitzroy club, competing in the Victorian State League, Dockerty Cup, Ampol Cup and the State Preseason Challenge Cup, Gibson made a total of 89 appearances for Alexander, scoring 37 goals,[6][7][8][9][10][11][12] including being an integral member of the 1975 state league championship victory,[13] forming a famous link with fellow Scottish winger George Gillan. Gibson's last game for the club was on 12 September at the Brunswick Street Oval against Sunshine George Cross in a 1-1 draw.[14]

South Melbourne Hellas (1977)

Following the assembly of the National Soccer League, Gibson along with fellow Scot and Fitzroy teammate & player-coach Jack Reilly were lured away from Brunswick Street Oval and joined rival Greek backed club South Melbourne Hellas on a one-year contract.[15] Gibson made his debut for the club in the first round on 2 April 1977 against Sydney Olympic FC away in a 2-0 win.[16] His first goal came in round 3 on 18 April 1977 against Melbourne based rivals Footscray JUST in a 2-2 draw.[17] At the season's conclusion, Hellas disappointedly finished eleventh out of fourteen.[18] Gibson and former Fitzroy teammate George Gillan, who played for Alexander in the 1977 season with difficulty for a regular spot, both retired from the game professionally.

Career statistics

As of 18 October 2016
Club Division Season League Cup[A] League Cup[B] Other[C] Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Fitzroy United
Alexander		 Victorian State
League		 1973 19753----2410
1974 1882131502810
1975 188?[D]----188
1976 198?[D]----198
Total 74317431508936
South Melbourne
Hellas		 National Soccer
League		 1977 24510----255
Total 245100000255
Career total 983684315011441

Footnotes

A. ^ Includes appearances in the Dockerty Cup.
B. ^ Includes appearances in the Victorian State League Cup.
C. ^ Includes appearances in the Pre-Season Ampol Cup.
D. ^ Fitzroy United Alexander did participate in the Dockerty Cup in 1975 and 1976, however individual player records were not kept, thus resulting in these statistics being in dispute.

Honours

With Fitzroy United Alexander:

References

  1. ↑ "The Age - Google News Archive Search".
  2. ↑ "Australian Player Database - GI".
  3. ↑ "Victorian State League - 1973 Season Results".
  4. ↑ "Victorian State League - 1973 Season Results".
  5. ↑ "Victorian State League 1975 Season Results".
  6. ↑ "Victorian Dockerty Cup 1973 Results".
  7. ↑ "Victorian State League - 1973 Season Results".
  8. ↑ "Victorian Dockerty Cup - 1974 Results".
  9. ↑ "1974 Victorian State League Cup - esults".
  10. ↑ "Victorian State League 1974 Season Results".
  11. ↑ "Victorian State League 1975 Season Results".
  12. ↑ "Victorian State League 1976 Season Results".
  13. ↑ "1975 Victorian State League - Final Table".
  14. ↑ "Victorian State League 1976 Season Results".
  15. ↑ "South Melbourne 1977".
  16. ↑ "1977 National Soccer League results".
  17. ↑ "1977 National Soccer League results".
  18. ↑ "Australian Soccer".
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