Gibson Tommy Image 1 Notts County 1923

Description

Maxwelltown, Dumfries born full back Tommy Gibson signed for Greenock Morton from local football in 1906, and went south to join First Division Nottingham Forest the following year, making his debut at Aston Villa on Christmas Day 1907. He didn’t truly establish himself in Forest’s first team until after their relegation to the Second Division in 1911, when he moved to the forward line, being top scorer with 21 goals in 1912-13, but he played both sides of World War One for Forest, scoring 35 goals in 193 appearances before a transfer to neighbours Notts County in December 1919. He couldn’t prevent Notts County’s relegation from the First Division in 1920, and his appearances became increasingly occasional from 1921, playing only 4 matches in 1922-23 as County won the Second Division Championship. He joined Southend United in the summer of 1923 after 6 goals (all penalties) in 69 games for The Magpies, but played only 5 games for Southend early in the 1923-24 season before losing his place and subsequently retiring from professional football, already aged 35.

NB This image is from the match between Stockport County and Notts County at Edgeley Park on 7th April 1923, the game finished as a 0-0 draw. Behind Gibson is Notts County goalkeeper George Streets. The Notts County defender looking on is Billy Flint.