.
Paul Gibbons
To add your message email tribute@coventrysphinx.co.uk
Gibbo was a tremedous player, person and friend who will be sadly missed. Rest in peace Big Man.
Longy (Neil Long, Club Chairman)
A truly nice person who always put others before himself! I like many others who were fortunate enough to meet and spend time with Gibbo. I have some great memories that will stay with me forever.
Lee Knibbs
I alwI always used to travel to away games with Gibbo in Willie Knibbs car and he was the life and soul of the car. He could lift the spirits after a defeat and was the perfect man to have in any dressing room.
.
When
he donned a Sphinx shirt, you knew you were
going to get a steady performance from someone
who could always be relied upon. Never loud,
mouthy or offensive on the pitch, Gibbo always
got on with the job in hand.
.
A top player and a top bloke.
.
Kev Monks (Covsupport News Service)
Gibbo, you were an inspiration on and off the field, in and out of the bar and will be sadly missed. God bless you.
Rich Hopkins
Its been a few days since your tragic death Gibbo and I am still stunned, but the tributes that have been pouring in from far and wide over the internet etc prove what a popular and admired man you are. I for one am glad that I had the privelage to have known you. Very funny, approachable and warming man. My thoughts are with your family. R.I.P. Gibbo.
Lynton Wilkinson
My deepest sympathies go to Gibbo's family, friends and the lads who played for him. We will make sure your legacy lives long at the club.
Lee Evans
Gibbo; an amazing selfless and caring man. A true club man whose passion for our football club was never surpassed by anyone. Whether it was the Under 7’s or the first team, his passion for Coventry Sphinx was evident for all to see. A fantastic character who will be very sorely missed.
.
A tragic loss to all that knew him.
Steve Cranage and the Under 12’s
Words can not express the sad loss everyone is feeling. A real gentleman and always made time for everyone. Rest in peace Gibbo. The McGowan Family
Gibbo my old mate there will be a massive void
at Coventry Sphinx
without your smiling face. You never had a bad
word to say about
anyone and you were always upbeat and positive
in everything you did. Thank you mate for being
part of our lives for so long.
.
RIP
Jonah (Vic Jones, Club Vice Chairman)
It was a pleasure knowing you Gibbo and a pleasure to play alongside you. Always a great laugh and for a big man,you had such a pleasent nature and not one nasty thing about you, a real top man. My thoughts are with your wife and children and the rest of your family.RIP big man.
Ian Brooks
Gibbo was a very special man, he was a truely
gentle giant. He was
kind, supportive and caring, always had a joke
on and off the field.
His passion for the Sphinx Seniors and Juniors
was there for all to
see. He was a man who was held in the highest
regard by his peers. Our thoughts and hearts are
with his family at this tragic time. Rest in
peace Gibbo.
Jez Tiff and Family and on behalf of the U15's
Gibbo; A wonderful warm and friendly man, an inspiration to many and a role model to all the boys he managed and my god how he loved his role as a Junior manager. Paul was a true professional in his job and on the football field a player who you could always depend on. A gentleman in every sense of the word.Your presence and kind words will be sadly missed in the club. We will miss you.
Rod and Paula (Lomas)
A sad sad time for football across the city, especially for the Sphinx, a top bloke who will missed on and off the pitch. Our thoughts are with his family at this time , rest in peace Gibbo.
Louis and Stuart Guest
Please pass on our deepest sympathies and thoughts to Paul's family, from all at Leamington Football Club. Many of us will remember the performances he put in during the many battles Brakes had against both Sphinx and Rugby Town during our time in the Midland Combination, and it was so very sad to hear of what happened to him. Rest in Peace.
Paul Edwards (Press Officer, Leamington Football Club)
In a kit we were team mates. In a uniform we were colleagues. In my broken heart you will always remain a true friend. There is so much to say but the words just won’t come, but the special memories are with me to keep. I want you to know that I will always be proud to have been 'chummy with this Brummy'. God bless Big Gibbo you will never be forgotten!
Steve Harris
Gibbo, you are a true legend in my mind and always will be! You were a rock to me on and off the pitch and you brightened up every day no matter what the occasion. I am devastated by the way you have been taken from us and you will always have a special place in my heart. I love you mate.
Danny Mac (First Team Manager)
I was privilaged to have known Gibbo. He was
dedicated in everything he did. I could go
some time without seeing him, but when we
saw each other again he always had a smile
and a joke and it was like we saw each other
last week.
.
Cannot believe that I'm not going to see you
again big guy! My thoughts and prayers go
out to all his family at this tragic time.
.
On a personal note, I'm glad I had the
opportunity to both know you,
play football in the same team as you and
play against you. Every time
I think of Paul Gibbons I will always
remember the good times.
.
A perfect gent. RIP Gibbo
.
Rob Masefield (Mase)
Gibbo, a pleasure to play alongside you. Always remember the headed clearances turning into great through balls! Shocked at what has happened and will always have fond memories of you. My thoughts are with your family at such a tragic time.
.
Gibbo as you will see from the tributes was an extremely popular chap, I even met the great man working once and again his same likeable character shone through. RIP mate.
Tom Thacker and family
It was a pleasure to both play
against you but more of a
pleasure to play alongside. The
respect you gave to all of us
younger lads will never be
matched and always remembered.
You brought out the best in us
all and thoughts are with your
family at this terrible time.
Daffs and family
'Gibbo Gibbo' was always the
chant I'll remember! He was
formidable to play against and
magnificent to play with. I'll
never forget the humour that
followed him and know he is
still making people laugh right
now. My thoughts go out to his
family
Gibbo just when I thought
the year could not get any
worse I heard the news of
your very sad passing.
Paul you were big man on and
off the pitch, always gave
the team 100%, when you
weren't available I was
devastated as the heart and
soul of my defence was not
there.The big shout " Gibbos
" would come and we knew the
ball would be headed half
the length of the pitch and
the opposition on the back
foot again, and I will never
forget the mazy runs you
would go on sprinting
into their area then saying
"Sorry Gaffer" as you ran
back again. A true Sphinx
legend and I will never
forget the support you gave
me as a manager at the
Sphinx.
There are too many good
people up there. God bless
to you and your family Paul.
RIP.
Ash (Martin Ascroft)
Gibbo a true legend, proud
to have known you and played
with you.
Gibbo, it was a pleasure
to play alongside you on
the pitch and a pleasure
to sit beside you in the
bar.
A true Legend, you will
never be forgotten Big
Man!
Mark Owen
Having played Gibbo`s
junior team numerous
times in the past I
always admired how
passionate he was about
the game, having got to
know him personally I
will miss seeing his
bubbly personality
around the grounds
in our local league. He
was a true ambassador
for kids football.
Gibbo; such a great
bloke. I knew you back
in the days when you
were in the Royal Navy.
My thoughts are with
Michelle, your
children, family,
friends and colleagues
at this truly
devastating time. I can
only begin to imagine
the immense pain they
are suffering.
God bless you.
Diane Wall
Gibbo – our boys
were so fortunate to
have you as their
manager. You brought
them such a long way
– from the U9's
Green League to
standing today
second in the U13's
A league. But more
than any success on
the field – and
leading your green
league side out at
the Bedworth Oval in
your very first
season was a
spectacular success
– what you have
given the boys is a
shining example of
how to approach
sport and life. You
combined so many
wonderful qualities:
you were always
kind, gentle and
patient;
irrepressibly
enthusiastic and
fun-loving;
professional,
dedicated and hugely
caring. You taught
the boys to be
passionate about the
game, loyal to their
own side and
respectful to the
opposition. Paul,
you leave a massive
void in all our
lives and you had so
much more to give.
We are in shock and
will miss you
enormously, but
we’ll treasure
forever the memories
you’ve left us with.
Robin, Gianna and
Matty.
Gibbo; You and I
became Junior
Managers at almost
the same time and
regularly shared our
experiences. I will
miss our weekly
phone call to
discuss our
respective game the
previous week and I
will never forget
your infectious
character, your
outstanding
commitment and your
total dedication to
Coventry Sphinx.You
were a true
gentleman who wore
his heart on his
sleeve, yet you
always had time for
others. You were an
inspiration to all.
God Bless.
Neil Pickard and
Under 14s Blue
Gibbo, we always
looked forward
to your calls,
your enthusiasm
was always so
infectious. One
of the most
genuine,
generous men we
ever met, you
will be sadly
missed. Our
thoughts are
with Michelle
and the boys at
this sad time.
Adrian & Lesley
Flynn and family
Gibbo,
there’s not
many people
around who
had your
special
qualities
mate.You
were a rare
breed. I
only have
happy
memories of
you Gibbo
and every
one brings a
smile to my
face….
.
I remember
the day when
you said
that this
was going to
be your last
season and
at the
Presentation
night you
were very
upset that
the boots
were finally
going to be
hung up for
good. We
spoke at
some length,
over several
pints!!!,
and at the
end I
managed to
persuade you
to become a
manager in
our junior
section
taking on
the under
8’s. You
were so up
for it and
from then on
the phone
calls
started..
“how do you
do this Dan?
and how do
you do
that?”
You carried
out several
trials and
became
concerned
about how to
tell some of
the young
lads that
they were
not needed.
I know you
had several
sleepless
nights
worrying how
they would
take the
news but you
and they
came through
it.
.
I
remember
your 1st
Tournament
as manager
at Brinklow
and you
asked me if
I could go
over a help
you. Just
standing
there and
watching you
as your lads
played was
memorable.
You kicked
and headed
every ball
for them
running up
and down the
touch line,
sometimes on
the
pitch!!!!
Then
shouting
instructions
like “man
on” “turn”
“time” etc,
etc, the 8
year olds,
understandably
didn’t get
it and you
grew more
and more
frustrated
but you
enjoyed the
whole
experience
and said
that this
was even
better than
playing
football.
The time you
spent
coaching
your players
from then on
speaks
volumes
about your
commitment
and your
players are
a credit to
all the hard
work you
have put in.
.
Your passion
for football
while caring
for
youngsters
is to be
commended.
All football
clubs need
inspirational
characters
like you and
you were
most
definitely
ours.
.
May god
bless you
Gibbo and
your family
during this
very sad
time
Dannie
Cahill
(Chairman,
Coventry
Sphinx
Juniors FC)
What are
we going
to do
without
Gibbo?
Games
will
never be
the
same.
The club
will
never be
the
same.
The tour
will
never be
the
same.
His
energetic,
enthusiastic
and ever
optimistic
personality
kept us
all
going
through
the good
and the
bad
times.
Never a
negative
word to
or about
any of
his team
a truly
loyal
and
genuine
manager.
You
taught
our son
Theo so
much,
gave him
so much
time and
showed
him so
much
kindness.
He will
never
forget
you
neither
will we.
Sunday's
won't be
the same
without
a drink
in the
bar with
you and
Michelle
whilst
the boys
wrecked
the
bowling
green!(sorry
bowlers).
The
world is
a poorer
place
without
Paul
Gibbons.
RIP Paul
.
Derek,
Emma and
boys
Gibbo, I
was
fortunate
enough
to play
on the
same
side as
you on a
few
occasions;
a
quality
player
and a
true
gent.
The sort
of guy
you
wanted
on your
side and
not the
opposition!
My
thoughts
go out
to your
family,
RIP God
Bless.
Nev
Thompson
Gibbo
mate, I
only got
to know
you over
the past
3 years,
but felt
I had
known
you all
my life.
That was
down to
your
character
and the
friendliness
that you
had. I
am
finding
it
difficult
to come
to terms
with
what
happened.
Thanks
for some
great
times.
You were
a true
gentleman
and will
be so
sadly
missed.
R.I.P.
Wiffa
I
remember
speaking
to
Gibbo
only
a
week
ago
and
I
can't
believe
what
has
happened.
All
this
support
shows
that
Gibbo
was
a
great
person
and
was
loved
by
everyone!
I
remember
after
we
won
the
Under
16's
BCFA
cup
I was
speaking
to
Gibbo
at
the
club
house
having
a
great
laugh
and
I
will never
forget him. I
hope
he
rests
in
peace
.Gibbo
you
will
always
have
a
place
in
all
our
hearts
at
the
Sphinx!
Gibbo,
Your
enthusiasm,
company,
smile
&
laughter
will
be
sorely
missed.
Our
Sunday
management
meetings
will
never
be
the
same,
memories
we
hold
dear.
God bless
mate,
our
thoughts
rest
with
your
family.
Wayne,
Darren
Whitehouse
&
families
Big
Man
I’m
lost
for
words,
I
hope
heaven
is
ready
for
you!
Gibbo,
I
will
miss
you're
smiling
face
around
the
gym.
You
lived
for
your
football
and
fitness.
You
helped
us
when
we
started
our
junior
team,
giving
us
advice
and
even
travelling
over
to
Bedworth
and
taking
our
first
training
session.
You
will
be
sadly
missed
and
our
sympathies
go
out
to
your
family,
God
Bless.
Ray
Hurley
and
all
at
Nuneaton
Griff
Under
14s
I
used
to
joke
with
you
and
call
you,
"the
big
daft
Brummy",
it
has
been
such
an
honour
to
have
known
you
as a
friend
and
as a
team
mate.
It
was
only
the
other
week
we
stood
next
to
each
other
watching
the
F.A.
cup
game
at
the
Sphinx,
which
seems
years
ago
now,
after
what
has
happened
a
week
last
Sunday.
I am
so
angry
Paul
for
what
has
happened
to
such
a
gentle
giant.
As a
catholic
I
ask
myself
WHY?
As a
human
being,
I
can
only
imagine
the
heartache
your
family
must
be
going
through,
which
should
give
us
all
strength
to
support
and
get
them
through
this
devastating
time.
"Gibbos
Ball"
was
the
call
and
no
one
else
in a
blue
shirt
went
near
it,
neither
did
the
opposition
if
they
had
any
sense....
I
will
never
forget
travelling
in
the
back
of
the
car
when
I
first
met
you
years
ago
travelling
over
near
Wolverhampton
before
a
game
and
you
never
shut
up
from
the
minute
we
left
the
sphinx,
instantly
we
got
on
and
had
a
laugh.
After
we
both
finished
playing
you
said
to
me
many
times
that
you
loved
coaching
the
kids
and
I
should
get
involved,
which
I
never
did
or
have
done
but
I
and
everyone
else
could
see
the
pleasure
that
it
gave
you.
Rest
in
peace
big
man,
our
love
and
support
go
to
your
family
at
this
terrible
time.
Life
is
so
unfair.
James
McNulty
Gibbo,
I
remember
when
you
and
Steve
Harris
first
turned
up
at
the
Sphinx.
That
was
a
very
funny
season,
especially
when
you
wanted
a
cup
of
tea
and
people
thought
you
were
talking
about
a
Kipper
Tie,
not
sure
we
did
very
well
though.
You
are
gentleman,
an
awesome
centre
half
and
probably
one
of
the
best
dancers
ever
to
grace
the
floor
of
IKON
/
DIVA.
Mate
not
only
could
you
head
the
ball
a
country
mile
but
the
after
grunt
was
always
a
pleasure
to
hear.
It
was
a
pleasure
to
have
known,
play
football
and
dance
with
you.
"Trust
me
Gibbo"
was one
of
the
first
sentences
I
ever
said
to
you
as
you
nervously
placed
the now
famous Blue
and
White striped
Coventry
Sphinx
shirt
on
your
back,
you
then stepped
out to
make
your
debut
which
was the
opening
day
of
the
season
against
Highgate
in
the
MidComb
back
in
1999.
I am
so proud
and
thankful
you
did,
for
what
was
to
come
after
became
so
special
to
people
who
had
you
pass
in
and
out
of
their
lives
leaving
nothing
but
love
and
admiration
in
their
heart
for
you.
Not
just
because
you
were
a
good
player
and
would
win
us
games
with
whole
hearted
defending
and
presence
and
with
technical
grace
that
even
a
past
Sphinx
legend
Willie
Knibbs
(The
both
of
you
now
must
be
talking
football
together
whilst
Pongo
is
probably
gone
to
the
bar
for
you
both) would
stand
up
with
praise.
It
would
be
the input
you gave
to
the
Sphinx
Club
at
Senior
and
Junior
level,
for
the
10
years
that
followed,
as
days/years
past
from
what
we
now
know
was
a
significant
moment
in
Sphinx
history
you grew
and
became
a
member
of a
very
sought
after
group
called
the
Sphinx
Legends.
Many
tried
and
failed
but
you
in
your
own
special
way
of
love
for
the
game
and
the
love
of
people
became
a
Sphinx
IKON.
Guidance
on
the
field
to
every
player
old
and
new
,
then
educating
the
future
;
Inspirational
as a
leader
of
example
with
the
love
of
the
game
to
those
around
you,
young
and
old;
Brother
to
all
team
mates,
staff
and
friends
on
and
off
the
field;
Brighten
up
any
team
nights
out
or
dull
moment;
Over
whelming
excitement
and
energy
for
no
matter
how
big
or
small
the
challenge.
A
pair
of
Size
12’s
Copa
Mundials
never
to
be
filled
again,
but
certainly
steps
to
be
admired
and
followed.
RIP
Gibbo.
Marcus
(Law)
Gibbo, you were a true gentleman and the nicest person anyone could have wished to have as a friend. I can still hear that accent of yours giving me encouragement at times when as a manager I was low and I am proud to have had you as a friend mate. God bless and rest in peace my friend. Charns (Paul Charnley)
We
have
lost
a
friend,
colleague
and
dedicated
family
man.
Speaking
as a
friend,
I
had
the
pleasure
of
experiencing
his
character
as a
player
at
Senior
level
and
then
as a
manager
and
coach
within
the
Sphinx
Junior
ranks.
Gibbo
embraced
our
dream
to
work
and
produce
kids
for
the
Senior
teams.
A
man
of
great
football
knowledge,
integrity
and
passion,
we
talked
at
length
about
the
art
of
expressing
that
knowledge
and
working
to
improve
our
young
players.
His
phone
calls
and
texts
are
legendary,
with
him
it
was
not
just
about
him
and
his
team,
it
was
about
his
beloved
Sphinx
club.
He
always
started
with
“didn’t
the
club
have
a
good
weekend”,
“I
think
we
are
getting
there
Nige”
and
he
would
finish
with
“I
will
let
you
get
off
now”
and
then
he
would
continue
to
talk
for
another
15
minutes!
I
was
personally
not
ready
to
“get
off
now”
and
we
have
lost
a
big,
funny,
infectious
character
from
the
family
Sphinx
and
my
heart
goes
out
to
his
wife,
Junior
Gibbo’s
and
all
his
family
and
friends,
wiping
the
tear
from
our
eyes.
Miss
You
Mate!
Nigel,
Linda,
Kerri
and
Tom
(Coventry
Sphinx
Youth)
Not
just
a
manager
Or a
coach
to
the
lads
But
a
friend
to
the
boys
And
the
mums
and
the
dads
Always
enthusiastic
When
leading
the
boys
Stood
on
the
sidelines
You'd
make
lots
of
noise
When
the
boys
scored
a
goal
You'd
leap
in
the
air
Or
if
they
were
upset
You'd
show
that
you
care
You
were
proud
of
your
boys
Of
your
team
and
your
club
And
you
would
talk
all
about
them
To
your
mates
at
the
pub
They'd
talk
of
Cov
City
Or
of
the
Premier
teams
Then
you'd
tell
them
"Yes
but"
"At
Sphinx
Under
13's"
You'd
hate
missing
matches
When
at
work-
as
we
knew
And
even
turned
up
once
With
a
full
fire
crew
You
taught
our
lads
values
And
sense
of
fair
play
Lessons
they'll
take
with
them
And
use
every
day
The
team
that
you
built
up
Just
won't
be
the
same
But
we
know
you'll
be
there
Watching
the
game
If
we
play
as a
team
And
all
pull
together
We
can
get
through
the
tough
times
Whatever
the
weather
And
if
the
boys
start
to
struggle
The
parents
will
scream
"Come
on
the
Sphinx"
"We're
Gibbo's
team!"
Jakey,
Paul,
Wendy
and
Sian
Shufflebotham
Always
wanted
to
do
things
for
other
people,
a
gentle
giant
and
class
footballer!
Never
too
busy
to
chat
and
put
others
first,
take
it
easy
Big
Man.
Patto
(Mark
Patterson)
Pat McEnery
Although you're gone, you
still bring a smile to my
face as I think back to the
different stories and some
of the best memories on and
off the pitch.
Luke Hopkins
From everyone at GNP
SPORTS our sincerest
sympathy's to his Family
and everyone at Coventry
Sphinx Football Club.
Satnam Ark
Adam
Robertson,
Sphinx
Youth
Team
Rest
in
Peace
mate,
you
will
be
missed.
Darrell
Lennon
I
haven't
been
in
England
for
6
years
or
played
football
for
the
Sphinx
for
8
years
yet
I
always
thought
of
you
when
I
thought
about
the
Sphinx
and
funny
times.
You'll
be
missed
by
all
Gibbo,
my
thoughts
and
wishes
are
with
your
family
and
friends.
Damo
McDade
&
Family