Gibson: Archibald Boyle (Archie)

1951-1960 (Player Details)

Right Half

Born: Dailly, Nr Girvan: 30-12-1933

Debut v Birmingham City (a): 02-03-1955

5’8” 10st (1956)

Gibson attended Girvan High School before joining Coylton Juveniles, an Ayrshire club. Leeds spotted him playing in a Scottish Juvenile Cup semi-final at Falkirk and signed him in May 1951. During his National Service with the RAC, Gibson was stationed at Catterick and played for Northern Command. He switched from Inside Forward to Right Half and broke into United’s first team. A former apprentice joiner, Gibson built a fine career at Elland Road in the 1950s based on sheer hard work. He held a regular place until July 1960. United had been relegated from Division One and Gibson was one of the victims of the clear out. He had one unwanted Leeds United record. On 27th December 1958 he and Derek Hogg of West Bromwich Albion were sent off for fighting and he became the first Leeds United player to be sent off in a Football League match, since Billy Poyntzt on 11th February 1922. The untainted run had lasted for thirty-six years and ten months, and over one thousand League games, possibly a Football League record. After six years service he was transferred to Scunthorpe United in July 1960 and proved an excellent signing being able to bring out the best from those around him. He was immediately installed as Captain and played one hundred and thirty-eight League games for the Iron and scored five times. Archie missed only ten games until making his final appearance on 28th December 1963 in the 4-2 home defeat against Manchester City. He went to Barnsley in September 1964, but he did not make a League appearance for the Oakwell club. He later played for and captained North Lincolnshire side Brigg Town. After retiring from football, he continued to live in the Scunthorpe area and worked in the steel industry. In his later years he suffered from Alzheimer's disease and died on 26th July 2012 in Scunthorpe at the age of seventy-eight.