Player care lead Steve Gibbon retires

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2024-12-31T06:00+00:00

Lewis Dunk and Steve Gibbon. 📷 by Paul Hazlewood.

Steve Gibbon, the player care lead for the men’s first team, is retiring at the end of the calendar year after 15 years working for the club.

Due to retire at the end of last season*, 'Gibbo' carried on into this campaign to oversee the handover that will see his excellent work continued.

Well loved by all, players and staff have paid tribute.

Lewis Dunk

Where do I start with Gibbo? I suppose I should start by saying a massive thank you for all the support he has given me personally down the years. I broke into the first-team squad at around the same time Steve arrived as our player liaison officer, so we’ve been on some journey together.

We’ve been able to share some wonderful memories, with the highs far outweighing the lows, and I can honestly say that Steve has played a big part in helping me achieve so much in my career to date. He’s more than just a colleague though; I count Steve as a true friend.

Many people would have seen Steve around the first-team squad but not be sure of what he does – but it’s more a case of what he doesn’t do! He is basically our daytime dad; helping us with all our off-field needs, from sorting out accommodation for new players to helping us with any paperwork issues we may have, and everything else in between. Steve is also responsible for sorting out our travel and accommodation whenever we play away games – so he does so much for us and is going to be such big boots to fill.

Steve Gibbon. 📷 by Paul Hazlewood.

To survive in a changing-room environment, you need to be a certain character and Gibbo has the banter, the quick wit, the dry humour, and that always goes down so well with the players. He knows when to put an arm around the shoulder and when to keep his distance a bit, and that’s the result of being around the dressing room for so many years. He just gets it.

After training, you’ll often see many players in Gibbo’s office, not for anything important, just for a bit of a chat. When football is your career, sometimes you want to talk about something else – and Steve provides that sounding board. Not surprising really as he has been round the block!

Steve is also an Albion fan born and bred. While he works for the club, it’s also in his blood and it’s been so great to see that big smile on his face during the many good times we’ve had down the years. He’s been there in the changing room when we’ve won promotion, when we qualified for Europe, on the trips abroad, and I’m sure he’ll be taking memories with him that will last a lifetime.

We’re going to miss you, Gibbo, it certainly won’t be the same without you.

Solly March

Steve Gibbon dressed as Santa Claus and Solly March dressed as The Grinch for our Buzz's Boot Room Quiz Christmas Special. 📷 by Paul Hazlewood.

Since I walked through the doors at the club for the first time, Steve has always been there – part of the furniture – and it’s going to be strange not having him around or hearing his voice or his laugh.

As the lads will tell you, I’m often one of the first players up for lunch after training, but I would often make a detour via Steve’s office, just for a chat or to ask for his advice if I’ve needed something away from the pitch. He’s always there for you and although you can see he’s really busy, working away on his laptop, he’ll always stop what he’s doing to make time for you.

Injuries are the real downside to being a footballer and I’ve had a couple of lengthy ones now, but Steve will always check in to see how I’m doing, to see if I need anything, and just for a chat to keep the spirits up.

He’s going to be a big miss around the club, given all that he does for the players, but most importantly, what we all want to know: who is going to sort the Masters sweepstake out every April? That was Steve’s domain. I can see it descending into real chaos!

Thanks for everything, Gibbo, you’re a club legend.

Jody Martin - Men's first-team player care officer

Jody Martin and Steve Gibbon with Pascal Gross. 📷 by Paul Hazlewood.

Over the years I have worked with Steve in the player care department and we have built up such a tight dynamic.

From my very first day in the job, he was very welcoming and supportive while teaching me the ways of the world of player care – he has been such an incredible influence and a great mentor! His knowledge knows no bounds – football related or not, and he’s always on hand to conjure up an entertaining story drawn from his experiences or a random fact or two! His quick wit and classic one-liners will be sorely missed.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Steve for his unwavering support and his friendship. Everyone needs a Gibbo! Truly a club legend!

Pascal Gross

Pascal Gross with Steve Gibbon during our first season in the Premier League. 📷 by Paul Hazlewood.

When you’re a foreign player joining a new club, in a new country, with a new culture, you look for some security, someone to turn to, and I found that straight away with Gibbo.

There is so much that needs to be sorted when you join a new club abroad, from sourcing accommodation, driving licences, setting up mobile phone accounts, banking, all sorts of things, and Steve was always there for me. He was my go-to man whenever I needed something, and if I had a question, he would have the answer.

Gibbo was a big reason why I settled at the club so quickly and has been that familiar face around the dressing room ever since. Players come and go, so do managers, but Steve has always been there – and I can now count him as a good friend, somebody I can go to for a chat in confidence, whether that’s about football or anything else.

While the club’s success in recent seasons has come as a result of what we do on the pitch as players, we all appreciate that people like Steve play a key role off the pitch too. What he has done in the build-up to a game has meant we can focus fully on the next game, the next three points.

Thanks, Gibbo, for everything you have done for me and the rest of the squad. You’re an Albion legend. Sending you much love for whatever comes next…

*These notes were written at the end of last season.