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{{Short description|English footballer (born 1965)}}
{{for|the English rugby player|Nigel Gibbs (rugby union)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}
{{Good article}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Nigel Gibbs
| image = 
| image_size = 
| alt = 
| caption = 
| full_name = Nigel James Gibbs<ref name="Hugman">{{Hugman|7191|access-date=14 April 2020}}</ref>
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1965|11|20|df=y}}<ref name="Hugman"/>
| birth_place = [[St Albans]],<ref name="Hugman"/> England
| death_date =
| height = {{height|ft=5|in=7}}<ref>{{cite book |title=Rothmans Football Yearbook 1987–88 |editor-first=Peter |editor-last=Dunk |publisher=Queen Anne Press |location=London |date=1987 |page=[https://archive.org/details/rothmansfootball00lond/page/380 380] |isbn=978-0-356-14354-5 |url=https://archive.org/details/rothmansfootball00lond/page/380}}</ref>
| position = [[Defender (association football)#Full-back|Right back]]
| currentclub = [[West Bromwich Albion F.C.|West Bromwich Albion]] (assistant head coach)
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs1 = [[St Albans City F.C.|St Albans City]]
| youthyears2 =
| youthclubs2 = [[Watford F.C.|Watford]]
| years1 = 1983–2002
| clubs1 = [[Watford F.C.|Watford]]
| caps1 = 407
| goals1 = 5
| nationalyears1 = 1983–1984
| nationalteam1  = [[England national under-18 football team|England Youth]] 
| nationalcaps1  = 6
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalyears2 = 1985      | nationalteam2 = [[England national under-19 football team|England U19]]    | nationalcaps2 = 3  | nationalgoals2 = 0
| nationalyears3 = 1987–1988
| nationalteam3  = [[England national under-21 football team|England U21]]
| nationalcaps3  = 5
| nationalgoals3 = 0
| manageryears1 = 2005
| manageryears2 = 2014
| managerclubs1 = [[Watford F.C.|Watford]] (caretaker)
| managerclubs2 = [[Leeds United F.C.|Leeds United]] (caretaker)
}}
'''Nigel James Gibbs''' (born 20 November 1965) is an English professional [[Association football|football]] manager and former player. He is currently assistant head coach at [[West Bromwich Albion F.C.|West Bromwich Albion]], a role he previously held at [[Swansea City A.F.C.|Swansea City]], has previously worked as a coach with the Under-19 squad of [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]] and has been assistant manager of [[Asteras Tripolis]] in Greece.

A [[Watford F.C.|Watford]] supporter, as well as a product of their youth system, Gibbs spent his entire professional career as a [[Defender (association football)#Full-back|right back]] for the club. He was assistant manager of [[Leeds United F.C.|Leeds United]] after being appointed on 12 April 2013 alongside [[Brian McDermott (footballer)|Brian McDermott]], whom he assisted at [[Reading F.C.|Reading]]. He departed from [[Leeds United F.C.|Leeds United]] in August 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-utd/nigel-gibbs-walks-out-on-leeds-utd-as-legal-battle-looms-1-6771147|title=Nigel Gibbs walks out on Leeds Utd as legal battle looms|date=6 August 2014| work=Yorkshire Post}}</ref>

Gibbs made his Watford debut in 1983, in front of 38,000 spectators in a [[UEFA Cup]] match against [[Sparta Prague]]. In his early career Gibbs also played nine times for the England youth team, and five times for [[England national under-21 football team|England under-21s]]. Under the management of [[Graham Taylor (footballer)|Graham Taylor]], Gibbs eventually established himself as a first-team player at Watford, making 100 Football League appearances before the club's relegation from the [[Football League First Division|First Division]] in 1988. Gibbs remained a key player for the team in the Second Division, and was voted [[Watford F.C. Player of the Season]] in 1992.

Manager [[Glenn Roeder]] appointed Gibbs as club captain for the 1992–93 season, but a series of serious injuries restricted him to 33 appearances over the following four seasons. When his contract expired in 1996, Gibbs considered retirement, but he went on to earn a new contract and make the most appearances of any Watford player in 1996–97. Gibbs featured regularly in Watford's rise from the Second Division<ref name=break group=lower-alpha/> to the Premier League between 1997 and 1999, and went on to play a further 17 games at the top level of English football. Watford were relegated in 2000, and Gibbs made eight further appearances before retiring in 2002.

Gibbs remained at Watford as a coach, primarily working with the youth and reserve teams. He took charge of the first team for a week following [[Ray Lewington]]'s sacking as manager in 2005, but in turn was dismissed by incoming manager [[Aidy Boothroyd]] just before the start of the following season. After taking a year off to acquire the [[UEFA Pro Licence]], Gibbs joined [[Reading F.C.|Reading]] as youth team manager in 2006, and became assistant manager in [[2009–10 Reading F.C. season|2009–10]]. He continued in this role, and in [[2011–12 Reading F.C. season|2011–12]] Reading won the [[Football League Championship]] title, earning promotion to the Premier League.

==Early life==
Born in the city of [[St Albans]], [[Hertfordshire]], Gibbs attended How Wood primary school, and as a nine-year-old striker helped his team win a district [[Indoor soccer|six-a-side]] competition.<ref name=newsletter/> Gibbs began training with and supporting Watford from an early age, and was watching from the Main Stand at [[Vicarage Road]] as Watford sealed the [[Football League Fourth Division|Fourth Division]] title in 1978. Although part of Watford's youth system, he occasionally played for [[St Albans City F.C.|St Albans City]]'s youth team due to their close proximity to his home and school. He also played for [[Hertfordshire County Football Association|Hertfordshire schools]] at under-14 to under-16 levels.<ref name=cult/>

Although initially a striker, Gibbs switched to the position of [[Defender (association football)#Full-back|right-back]] as a teenager. Further success came with Watford's youth teams; he played in the first leg of the youth team's 7–6 aggregate [[FA Youth Cup]] win against [[Manchester United]] in 1982, and in the final as Watford finished runners up in the Southern Junior Floodlit Cup. These performances earned him a callup to England's youth team, for whom he played nine times. However, after signing as an [[apprentice]] in July 1982, Gibbs played in [[midfield]] for the reserves. Due to his height, first team manager [[Graham Taylor (footballer)|Graham Taylor]] was concerned about Gibbs' ability to cope with the physicality of being a first-team full back, and placed 17-year-old Gibbs on a steak and [[Guinness]] diet as an attempt to "beef him up."<ref name=cult/>

==Professional career==

===Turning professional in the First Division===
Gibbs turned professional on 20 November 1983. Three days later, he made his Watford debut in a [[1983–84 UEFA Cup#Third round|UEFA Cup third round]] home match against [[AC Sparta Prague|Sparta Prague]] at the club's stadium, [[Vicarage Road]]. He also played in the away fixture, in front of 38,000 spectators. Faced with snowy conditions in Prague, Watford were eliminated 7–2 on aggregate.<ref name=WhosWho/><ref name=veteran/> Gibbs made his first [[The Football League|Football League]] appearances in Watford's final three [[Football League First Division|First Division]] games of 1983–84, including as a substitute in a 2–1 win over [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]]. However, he was not selected for the [[1984 FA Cup final]].<ref name=veteran/>

Gibbs, now 18, returned to the reserves for much of the following season. Watford's first-team struggled, failing to win any of their first nine league games. Although his first start of the season ended in a 2–0 defeat to [[Queens Park Rangers F.C.|Queens Park Rangers]], Gibbs retained his place for 10 of the remaining 11 matches, experiencing only one further defeat.<ref>''Watford Season by Season'' pp. 178–179</ref> Continuing in this vein, 1985–86 saw Gibbs establish himself as the team's first choice right-back. He missed only two games all season, both of which resulted in defeat for Watford. His first goal came on 5 April 1986 in a 4–1 home victory over [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]], while he also played in a 5–1 win over [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]] at [[Stamford Bridge (stadium)|Stamford Bridge]] on the final day of the season.<ref>''Watford Season by Season'' pp. 180–181</ref> Gibbs' consistency helped him to third place in the voting for the club's [[Watford F.C. Player of the Season|Player of the Season]] award.<ref name=pots/>

After suffering a foot injury at the start of 1986–87, Gibbs was restricted to 18 appearances as his team finished the season 9th in the First Division. However, the departure of Graham Taylor and arrival of [[Dave Bassett]] the following season signalled a decline in the club's fortunes. Gibbs lost his place shortly before Bassett's departure in January, and although he soon returned to the side under [[Steve Harrison (footballer)|Steve Harrison]], Watford were relegated in 1988.<ref name=cult/><ref>''Watford Season by Season'' pp. 182–185</ref> At the time of the club's relegation, Gibbs had made precisely 100 First Division appearances.<ref>Watford Season by Season pp. 177–185</ref>

===Second Division===
{{quote box|width=220px|fontsize=100%|quote="He is simply a manager's dream. He is consistent, enthusiastic, honest and plays over 35 games a year."<ref name=cult/>|align=right|source='''[[Steve Harrison (footballer)|Steve Harrison]] on Gibbs'''}}Despite the disappointment of relegation, Gibbs  started 1988–89 strongly. The defender played every minute of Watford's four opening fixtures, with the team keeping four consecutive [[clean sheets]]. During this run, he also scored the only goal of the game against [[West Bromwich Albion F.C.|West Bromwich Albion]] at [[The Hawthorns]]. Playing in all 46 league games, Gibbs finished second in the Player of the Season vote behind [[Glyn Hodges]]. Watford finished the season in a [[Football League play-offs|play-off]] position, behind Chelsea, [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]] and [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]]. The team faced [[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]] in the semi-finals, drawing both games but being eliminated on the [[away goals rule]]. The following season saw Watford slip down to 15th, although they did keep 11 [[Shutout#Association football|clean sheet]]s in the 41 games that Gibbs played in. Gibbs briefly lost his place in the team following Harrison being replaced by [[Colin Lee]], but regained it before the end of the campaign.<ref>''Watford Season by Season'' pp. 185–189</ref>

An injury sustained on 25 August 1990 kept Gibbs out for two months, and once he had regained full fitness, his team were bottom of the table.<ref name=statto2410/> His return coincided with a winless run of seven league matches, leaving Watford seven points from safety with nearly half the season gone.<ref name=statto0512/> Nonetheless, Watford managed to climb to 20th place, and despite missing 14 games, Gibbs was once again shortlisted for the club's end of season award.<ref name=pots/><ref>''Watford Season by Season'' p. 191</ref> In 1991–92 Gibbs finally became Player of the Season. Missing only three matches, he rounded off a good season by scoring his first goal in four years in Watford's last league game, cementing a top-ten finish in the Second Division.<ref>''Watford Season by Season'' pp. 186–193</ref>

===Career threatening injury===
Gibbs was appointed club captain at the start of the 1992–93 season.<ref name=WhosWho/> The team started the season with three First Division<ref name=break group=lower-alpha>The First Division broke away from the [[The Football League|Football League]] in 1992 to form the [[Premier League]]. Consequently, the Second Division was renamed as the First Division.</ref> defeats in their opening six games, keeping just one clean sheet. However, on an individual level the season was to get even worse for Gibbs. He sustained a knee injury against [[Notts County F.C.|Notts County]] on 7 September 1992, putting him out of first team contention for six weeks. During his comeback, at home to [[Tranmere Rovers F.C.|Tranmere Rovers]], Gibbs aggravated the previous injury, putting him out of action for more than two years.<ref name=WhosWho/> Concern over the injury, coupled with the good form of [[Gerard Lavin]], restricted Gibbs' opportunities under [[Glenn Roeder]] in 1994–95.<ref name=cult/><ref>''Watford Season by Season'' pp. 195–201</ref>

After making only nine appearances during Watford's 1995–96 relegation season, general manager Graham Taylor released him upon the expiry of his contract, over injury concerns. Gibbs considered retirement.<ref name=bsad/><ref>''Watford Season by Season'' pp. 200–201</ref>

===Comeback and return to the top division===
Despite receiving enquiries from other clubs, he stayed at Vicarage Road for pre-season, in the hope of regaining his match fitness. After proving that he had recovered, Gibbs was offered a short-term contract at the club, which was eventually extended.<ref name=veteran/> Newly relegated Watford finished 13th of 24 teams in 1996–97. They conceded 38 goals in 46 league matches, the joint-best defensive record in the division.<ref name=statto1997/> Gibbs missed just one of the club's 57 fixtures, scoring in a game against [[Brentford F.C.|Brentford]]. The defender later noted the irony that having been released as an injury concern, he ended up playing more games the following season than any of his teammates.<ref name=veteran/><ref>''Watford Season by Season'' p. 203</ref>

[[Kenny Jackett]] stood down as manager following Watford's disappointing season, becoming assistant to Graham Taylor. The effect was immediate; Watford won six of their first seven league games, eventually becoming 1997–98 Second Division champions and earning promotion. Gibbs played part of the season at left-back due to an injury to [[Paul Robinson (footballer born December 1978)|Paul Robinson]], although in turn Gibbs also missed games to injury.<ref name=cult/><ref>''Watford Season by Season'' pp. 204–205</ref> He started the 1998–99 season as a first-team regular, but sustained an injury in a game against Bolton on 20 October 1998, and only made two further appearances.<ref name=soccerbase>{{soccerbase|2840|Nigel Gibbs'}}</ref> Nonetheless, Watford secured promotion via the playoffs in Gibbs' absence, and when Watford won the [[1999 Football League First Division play-off Final|play-off final]] to secure promotion, Gibbs was the first person to celebrate the win with Taylor.<ref name=veteran/>

===Later years and retirement===
[[File:Watford v Coventry, Vicarage Road, 2000.jpg|thumb|200px|left|Gibbs played in Watford's 1–0 [[Premier League]] win over [[Coventry City F.C.|Coventry City]] on 14 May 2000.]]When fit, Gibbs had been Watford's first choice right-back since 1985, with the exception of 1994–95, where Gerard Lavin's form kept a recovering Gibbs in the reserves. A combination of Gibbs' age, and a desire to acquire more strength in depth for the [[Premier League]], prompted Taylor to sign right-backs [[Des Lyttle]] and [[Neil Cox (footballer)|Neil Cox]] in 1999.<ref name=cult/><ref name=veteran/> Despite the competition, Gibbs managed to make 20 appearances in 1999–2000, and his Premier League experience included victories over [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]], [[Coventry City F.C.|Coventry City]] and [[Southampton F.C.|Southampton]], although these were not enough to prevent relegation back to the First Division.<ref name=gibbs2000/><ref name=PL/>

By now in his mid thirties, first team opportunities became scarce for Gibbs in 2000–01. He made only seven first team appearances, although Watford managed to avoid defeat in six of those. His final appearance, and only game under [[Gianluca Vialli]], came on 24 April 2002. An 82nd-minute substitute, Gibbs was unable to prevent a late Gillingham goal, which secured them a 3–2 victory. Among Gillingham's players for Gibbs' professional swansong was [[Andy Hessenthaler]], the man who became Watford captain after Gibbs' injury.<ref name=cult/> Gibbs retired as Watford's second highest all-time appearance maker, although he started more matches than [[Luther Blissett]], the man ahead of him.<ref name=wleg/>{{clear}}

==Style of play==
{{quote box|align=right|width=370px|fontsize=100%|quote="...in my early days I had Cally ([[Nigel Callaghan]]) in front of me, who was probably the best right winger in the country at the time. He spent the games just putting in crosses for fun; why did anyone want me to cross the ball?!?"<ref name=bsad/>|source='''Gibbs on his perceived reluctance to attack.'''}}Considerably shorter than the average footballer at 5&nbsp;ft 7in, Gibbs made up for his physical disadvantage with positional play, determination, accurate tackling, and staying on his feet. Although a defender, his lack of goals (7 in 491 appearances) and reluctance to get forward were often remarked upon.<ref name=cult/><ref name=greats/> Gibbs refuted the suggestion that he didn't attack enough, while former managers Roeder and Taylor both considered Gibbs to be an excellent crosser of the ball when he did venture forward.<ref name=cult/> He scored his first professional goal during his 59th game.<ref>''Watford Season by Season'' pp. 177–181</ref> By comparison, Gibbs' long-term successor at right-back, [[Lloyd Doyley]], scored his first professional goal on his 269th appearance.<ref name=doyley/>{{clear}}

==Managerial career==
After retiring, Gibbs served Watford as a coach for three years, initially working with the reserve and youth teams, and later as an assistant manager. During this period he oversaw the development of players such as [[Ashley Young]], [[Lloyd Doyley]] and [[Hamer Bouazza]], and helped Watford to a [[Premier Reserve League]] win in [[2002–03 in English football|2002–03]].<ref name=fchd/> Following [[Ray Lewington]]'s sacking in March 2005, Gibbs briefly managed Watford on a caretaker basis, although his reign did not include a single game.<ref name=guardian/><ref name=manager/> Following the appointment of [[Aidy Boothroyd]], Gibbs left Watford in July. Having had a formal connection with the club since the 1970s, he felt that his departure had been "very poorly handled".<ref name=qanda/> In 2006, Gibbs received his [[UEFA Pro Licence in England|UEFA Pro Licence]], which means he can manage any [[Football team|football club]] in [[List of football clubs in England|England]] on a full-time basis.<ref name=pro/> At the beginning of the 2006–07 season, Gibbs joined the management team at [[Reading F.C.|Reading]], where his initial responsibility was working with the younger players at the club. Further Premier Reserve League success followed in 2007, and Gibbs was promoted to the role of assistant manager in 2009–10.<ref name=PRL/><ref name=rfc/> On the penultimate game of the season, Reading faced Watford at Vicarage Road. A Reading victory would have put their opponents in danger of relegation, but Watford emerged 3–0 winners to seal their Championship survival.<ref name=return/><ref name=survival/> Gibbs remained at Reading under the management of [[Brian McDermott (footballer)|Brian McDermott]], and in 2011–12 the team won the [[Football League Championship]], earning promotion to the [[Premier League]].<ref>[http://www.readingchronicle.co.uk/mobile/sport/readingfc/articles/2012/05/15/59579-mcdermott-named-championship-manager-of-the-year/ "McDermott named Championship Manager of the Year"] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130505083003/http://www.readingchronicle.co.uk/mobile/sport/readingfc/articles/2012/05/15/59579-mcdermott-named-championship-manager-of-the-year/ |date=5 May 2013 }}. ''Reading Chronicle''. 15 May 2012. Retrieved 23 July 2012.</ref> He left Reading on 11 March 2013 following McDermott's departure as manager.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/article/statement-10pm-110313-708517.aspx |title=Further statement |publisher=Reading F.C |access-date=12 March 2013}}</ref>

Following the departure of [[Neil Warnock]] in April 2013, Brian McDermott took over as manager of Leeds United on 12 April 2013 on a 3-year contract, with Nigel Gibbs joining him at the club as Assistant Manager.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.leedsunited.com/news/20130412/managerial-appointment-confirmed_2247585_3141733 |title=Brian McDermott named as new Leeds manager... |publisher=Leeds United Official Website |access-date=12 April 2013}}</ref>

On 1 February 2014, after the dismissal of Brian McDermott, Gibbs took charge of Leeds United as caretaker manager in the 5–1 win over local rivals Huddersfield Town.<ref name="Leeds United Official Site">{{cite news|title=Leeds United 5 - Huddersfield Town 1|url=http://www.leedsunited.com/news/article/h5pvsi331uu31qcjuysfx2d5a/title/huddersfield-live!|access-date=1 February 2014|work=Leeds United Official Site|date=1 February 2014}}</ref>

On 15 December 2014, Gibbs was appointed first-team coach at [[Millwall F.C.|Millwall]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/30479937|title=Nigel Gibbs: Millwall name ex-Watford defender as coach|date=15 December 2014|work=BBC Sport}}</ref> He then became the Under-19s coach at [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]] in the 2016–17 season.<ref name="spurs"/>

He later became an assistant to [[Paul Clement (football manager)|Paul Clement]] at [[Swansea City A.F.C.|Swansea City]], but left the club in December 2017 following the sacking of Clement.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42434708|title=Paul Clement: Swansea sack manager after less than a year in charge|date=20 December 2017|work=BBC Sport}}</ref> He worked in [[Reading F.C.|Reading]] as an assistant manager, before he left in late 2018 with the arrival of new manager [[José Manuel Gomes]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/46648440|title = Reading name Gomes as new manager|work = BBC Sport}}</ref> In July 2019, Gibbs returned to Tottenham Hotspur and was appointed Assistant Head of Player Development for Under-17 to Under-23.<ref name="spurs">{{cite news |url=https://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/17756534.nigel-gibbs-given-tottenham-hotspur-youth-coaching-role/ |title=Watford legend Nigel Gibbs given Tottenham Hotspur youth coaching role |work=Watford Observer |date=8 July 2019}}</ref>

In the latter half of February 2021, Nigel Gibbs was brought in to Portsmouth to assist Portsmouth assistant [[Joe Gallen]] during the temporary absence of manager [[Kenny Jackett]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/football/portsmouth-fc/kenny-jackett-why-ex-watford-spurs-and-leeds-coach-nigel-gibbs-ideal-fit-portsmouth-present-3135689|title = Kenny Jackett: Why Nigel Gibbs is ideal coaching fit for Pompey at present}}</ref>

On 20 April 2021, Gibbs was confirmed as interim head coach at [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]] alongside [[Chris Powell]], following the appointment of [[Ryan Mason]] as interim manager.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/2021/april/coaching-update/|date=20 April 2021|access-date=20 April 2021|publisher=Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|title=Coaching update }}</ref> On 25 April 2023, Gibbs was appointed acting first team coach at Tottenham following several dismissals from the coaching staff.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/2023/april/coaching-update/| title=Coaching update| work=Tottenham Hotspur| date=25 April 2023| access-date=28 April 2023}}</ref> He left Tottenham in September of 2024 to become assistant manager of [[Asteras Tripolis]] in Greece under [[Claude Makelele]] with whom he had worked at Swansea City.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/24586937.watford-legend-gibbs-leaves-spurs-take-job-greece/| title=Watford legend Gibbs leaves Spurs to take job in Greece| publisher=Watford Observer| date=16 September 2024| access-date=1 February 2025}}</ref>

On 13 December 2024, Gibbs was confirmed as having joined the first team coaching setup at [[Reading F.C.|Reading]] under [[Noel Hunt]] as Assistant Manager.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/2024/december/13/noel-backroom-staff/| title=Coaching update| work=Reading F.C.| date=13 December 2024| access-date=13 December 2024}}</ref>

In June 2025, Gibbs was appointed assistant head coach at [[West Bromwich Albion F.C.|West Bromwich Albion]], supporting the newly appointed Ryan Mason.<ref> {{cite web|url=https://www.wba.co.uk/news/ryan-mason-appointed-albion-mens-first-team-head-coach|title=Ryan Mason appointed Albion men's first team Head Coach|website=www.wba.co.uk|date=2 June 2025|accessdate=2 June 2025}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Gibbs was born into a football family. His father Dennis had played for [[Hitchin Town F.C.|Hitchin Town]], [[Hemel Hempstead Town F.C.|Hemel Hempstead Town]] and [[St Albans City F.C.|St Albans City]], while father-in-law Alan helped form the youth team Nascot Wood Rangers.<ref name=cult/><ref name=nascot/> Growing up supporting Manchester United, Gibbs is related to supporters of both Watford and [[Luton Town F.C.|Luton Town]], despite the [[Luton Town F.C. and Watford F.C. rivalry|rivalry]] between the two. He maintains a connection with his former club, regularly attending club events and occasionally playing for their [[Masters Football|masters football]] team.<ref name=wleg/><ref name=charity/>

Among others, Gibbs remains close friends with former teammates Luther Blissett and Kenny Jackett, both of whom coached him after ending their playing careers. Owing to his long association with the club, he is also a friend of [[Elton John]], and once filled in as a backup singer for John on a Watford tour of China.<ref name=veteran/> During the ''"Let's buy back the Vic"'' fundraising show at Vicarage Road in 2005, John dedicated his performance of [[Electricity (Elton John song)|Electricity]] to Gibbs' wedding anniversary.<ref name=king/>

==Career statistics==
;Key
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
{|class=wikitable
|-
|bgcolor=gold|<sup>1st</sup>||Voted [[Watford F.C. Player of the Season|Player of the Season]]
|-
|bgcolor=silver|<sup>2nd</sup>||Came 2nd in Player of the Season vote
|-
|bgcolor=orange|<sup>3rd</sup>||Came 3rd in Player of the Season vote
|-
|}
{{col-2}}
*'''Apps:''' Appearances
*'''Goals:''' Goals scored
*'''Notes:''' Explains which competition "Other" appearances refer to.
{{col-end}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|+Nigel Gibbs' club career statistics<ref group=lower-alpha>All games were played for Watford.</ref>
|-
!rowspan="2"|Season
!rowspan="2"|Division
!colspan="2"|League
!colspan="2"|[[FA Cup]]
!colspan="2"|[[Football League Cup|League Cup]]
!colspan="2"|Other
!colspan="2"|Total
!rowspan="2"|Notes
|-
!Apps
!Goals
!Apps
!Goals
!Apps
!Goals
!Apps
!Goals
!Apps
!Goals
|-
|1983–84||[[Football League First Division|First Division]]
|3||0||0||0||0||0||2||0||5||0||{{#tag:ref|Includes two appearances in the [[1983–84 UEFA Cup]].|group=lower-alpha}}
|-
|1984–85||First Division
|12||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||12||0||—
|-
|bgcolor=orange|1985–86<sup>3rd</sup>||First Division
|40||1||8||0||3||0||0||0||51||1||—
|-
|1986–87||First Division
|15||0||3||0||0||0||0||0||18||0||—
|-
|1987–88||First Division
|30||0||4||0||5||2||1||0||40||2||{{#tag:ref|Includes one appearance in the [[Full Members Cup]].|group=lower-alpha}}
|-
|bgcolor=silver|1988–89<sup>2nd</sup>||[[Football League Second Division|Second Division]]
|46||1||6||0||1||0||6||0||59||1||{{#tag:ref|Includes four appearances in the Full Members Cup, and two in the [[Football League First Division play-offs]].|group=lower-alpha}}
|-
|1989–90||Second Division
|41||0||3||0||2||0||1||0||47||0||{{#tag:ref|Includes one appearance in the Full Members Cup.|group=lower-alpha}}
|-
|bgcolor=orange|1990–91<sup>3rd</sup>||Second Division
|34||0||1||0||0||0||1||0||36||0||{{#tag:ref|Includes one appearance in the Full Members Cup.|group=lower-alpha}}
|-
|bgcolor=gold|1991–92<sup>1st</sup>||Second Division
|43||1||1||0||4||0||1||0||49||1||{{#tag:ref|Includes one appearance in the Full Members Cup.|group=lower-alpha}}
|-
|1992–93||First Division<ref name=break group=lower-alpha/>
|7||0||0||0||0||0||1||0||8||0||{{#tag:ref|Includes one appearance in the [[Anglo-Italian Cup]].|group=lower-alpha}}
|-
|1993–94||First Division
|0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||—
|-
|1994–95||First Division
|11||0||5||0||0||0||0||0||16||0||—
|-
|1995–96||First Division
|9||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||9||0||—
|-
|bgcolor=orange|1996–97<sup>3rd</sup>||Second Division
|45||1||4||0||4||0||3||0||56||1||{{#tag:ref|Includes three appearances in the [[Associate Members Cup]].|group=lower-alpha}}
|-
|1997–98||Second Division
|38||1||5||0||3||0||0||0||46||1||—
|-
|1998–99||First Division
|10||0||0||0||0||0||1||0||11||0||{{#tag:ref|Includes one appearance in the [[Football League Championship play-offs]].|group=lower-alpha}}
|-
|1999–2000||[[Premier League]]
|17||0||1||0||2||0||0||0||20||0||—
|-
|2000–01||First Division
|6||0||0||0||1||0||0||0||7||0||—
|-
|2001–02||First Division
|1||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||1||0||—
|-
!colspan="2"|Career total!!408!!5!!41!!0!!25!!2!!17!!0!!491!!7!!{{#tag:ref|In total, Gibbs made eight appearances in the Full Members Cup, three in the Associate Members Cup, two in the UEFA Cup, two in the 1989 Football League First Division play-offs, and one in each of the Anglo-Italian Cup and the 1999 Football League Championship play-offs.|group=lower-alpha}}{{#tag:ref|There is inconsistency between sources as to in which competitions Gibbs made his 491 appearances. Soccerbase credits him with 407 league games, 41 FA Cup games, 25 League Cup games, and 18 appearances in other competitions.<ref name=soccerbase/> ''The Golden Boys: A Study of Watford's Cult Heroes'' (which does not take into account Gibbs' solitary league appearance in 2001–02) credits him with 410 league appearances, although this includes his 3 play-off appearances. It also credits him with 41 FA Cup matches and 39 matches in "other" competitions, including the League Cup.<ref>''The Golden Boys: A Study of Watford's Cult Heroes'' p.236</ref> The latter source is used, as 408 league matches is consistent with the breakdown of Gibbs' individual appearances found in ''Watford Season by Season'' from 1983 to 1998, and on Soccerbase from 1996 to 2002.|group=lower-alpha}}
|}

==Honours==
*[[Watford F.C. Player of the Season]]
:*'''Winner:''' 1991–92
:*'''Shortlisted:''' 1985–86, 1988–89, 1990–91, 1996–1997

*[[Watford F.C.#Former players|Watford F.C. Hall of Fame]]
:*'''Inducted:''' 2010

*[[FA Youth Cup]]
:*'''Winner:''' 1981–82

*[[Football League First Division]]
:*'''Promotion:''' 1998–99<ref group=lower-alpha>Gibbs did not play in the [[1999 Football League First Division play-off final]].</ref>

*[[Football League Second Division]]
:*'''Winner:''' 1997–98

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

==References==
;General
* {{cite book|author=Phillips, Oliver|title=The Official Centenary History of Watford FC|publisher=[[Watford Football Club]]|year=1991|isbn=0-9509601-6-0}}
* {{cite book|title=The Watford Football Club Illustrated Who's Who|author=Jones, Trefor|year=1996|isbn= 0-9527458-0-1}}
* {{cite book|author=Jones, Trefor|title=Watford Season by Season|year=1998|isbn=0-9527458-1-X}}
* {{cite book|author=Phillips, Oliver|title=The Golden Boys: A Study of Watford's Cult Heroes|publisher=Alpine Press Ltd|year=2001|isbn=0-9528631-6-2}}
* {{soccerbase|2840|Nigel Gibbs'}}

;Specific
{{reflist|2|refs=

<ref name=bsad>{{cite web|url=http://www.bsad.org/intervw/gibbs.html|title=Pete Fincham interviews Nigel Gibbs|author=Pete Fincham|publisher=Blind, Stupid and Desperate|access-date=14 July 2010}}</ref>

<ref name=charity>{{cite web|url=http://www.watfordfc.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10400~2066018,00.html|title=Watford FC cricket match returns|publisher=[[Watford Football Club]]|access-date=14 July 2010|date=7 June 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100610234716/http://www.watfordfc.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10400~2066018,00.html|archive-date=10 June 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref>

<ref name=cult>''The Golden Boys: A Study of Watford's Cult Heroes'' pp. 203–208</ref>

<ref name=doyley>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/8389205.stm|title=Watford 3–1 QPR|work=[[BBC Sport]]|access-date=14 July 2010|date=7 December 2009|author=Fletcher, Paul}}</ref>

<ref name=fchd>{{cite web|url=https://www.fchd.info/WATFORD2.HTM|title=Watford Reserves|publisher=Football Club History Database|access-date=16 July 2010|author=Richard Rundle}}</ref>

<ref name=gibbs2000>{{cite web|url=http://www.soccerbase.com/squad_season.sd?seasonid=129&teamid=2741|title=Nigel Gibbs|publisher=[[Soccerbase]]|access-date=14 July 2010}}</ref>

<ref name=greats>{{cite web|url=http://www.watfordfc.com/page/History/0,,10400~1232027,00.html|title=Watford's great defenders|publisher=[[Watford Football Club]]|access-date=25 January 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100211013945/http://www.watfordfc.com/page/History/0,,10400~1232027,00.html|archive-date=11 February 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref>

<ref name=guardian>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2005/mar/22/thefiver.sport|title=Backed, and sacked|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=16 July 2010|date=22 March 2005|author=Ingles, Sean|author2=Doyle, Paul }}</ref>

<ref name=king>{{cite web|url=http://www.watfordfc.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10400~675662,00.html|title=The King is back!|publisher=[[Watford Football Club]]|access-date=14 July 2010|date=19 June 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120820120443/http://www.watfordfc.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10400~675662,00.html|archive-date=20 August 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>

<ref name=manager>{{cite web|url=https://www.soccerbase.com/managers/manager.sd?manager_id=2001|title=Managers: Nigel Gibbs|publisher=[[Soccerbase]]|access-date=16 July 2010|archive-date=2 October 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071002002609/http://www.soccerbase.com/managers2.sd?managerid=2001|url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name=nascot>{{cite web|url=http://www.nwrfc.com/History%20&%20Past%20Data/History.htm|title=Nascot Wood Rangers history page|publisher=Nascot Wood Rangers|access-date=14 July 2010}}</ref>

<ref name=newsletter>{{cite web|url=http://www.howwood.herts.sch.uk/newsletters/Old/Newsletter%201968.pdf|title=Wix Cup win for How Wood|publisher=How Wood JMI School, Park Street|access-date=13 July 2010|date=7 April 1977|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718193923/http://www.howwood.herts.sch.uk/newsletters/Old/Newsletter%201968.pdf|archive-date=18 July 2011}}</ref>

<ref name=PL>{{cite web|url=http://www.premierleague.com/page/1999/2000Season|title=Season 1999/2000|publisher=[[Premier League]]|access-date=14 July 2010}}</ref>

<ref name=pots>''The Golden Boys: A Study of Watford's Cult Heroes'' p. 230</ref>

<ref name=PRL>{{cite web|url=http://www.premierleague.com/page/Magazinedettail/0,,12306~2039715,00.html|title=Previous Reserve League Play-off winners|publisher=[[Premier League]]|access-date=16 July 2010|date=30 April 2010|archive-date=4 May 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100504150014/http://www.premierleague.com/page/Magazinedettail/0,,12306~2039715,00.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

<ref name=pro>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefa.com/GetIntoFootball/FALearning/NewsAndFeatures/2006/Pro_Licence|title=The class of 2006|publisher=[[The Football Association]]|access-date=14 July 2010|date=3 July 2006}}</ref>

<ref name=qanda>{{cite web|url=http://www.wfc.net/files/nigel.pdf|title=Nigel Gibbs: Q&A|publisher=wfc.net|access-date=16 July 2010|date=March 2009}}</ref>

<ref name=return>{{cite news|url=http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/localsport/8109366.Nigel_Gibbs_hoping_for_Watford_win_at_Queens_Park_Rangers/?ref=rss|title=Reading coach hoping to enjoy weekend trip back to Vicarage Road|newspaper=[[Watford Observer]]|access-date=14 July 2010|date=20 April 2010|author=Matthews, Anthony}}</ref>

<ref name=rfc>{{cite web|url=http://www.readingfc.co.uk/page/ManagementProfiles/0,,10306~1065013,00.html|title=Nigel Gibbs|publisher=[[Reading Football Club]]|access-date=16 July 2010|date=28 January 2010}}</ref>

<ref name=statto0512>{{cite web|url=http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/division-two-old/1990-1991/table/1990-12-05|title=English Division Two (old) 1990–1991 table: 1990-12-05|publisher=statto.com|author=Tony Brown|access-date=14 July 2010}}</ref>

<ref name=statto2410>{{cite web|url=http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/division-two-old/1990-1991/table/1990-10-24|title=English Division Two (old) 1990–1991 table: 1990-10-24|publisher=statto.com|author=Tony Brown|access-date=14 July 2010}}</ref>

<ref name=statto1997>{{cite web|url=http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/division-two/1996-1997/table/|title=English Division Two 1996–1997 table|publisher=statto.com|author=Tony Brown|access-date=15 August 2010}}</ref>

<ref name=survival>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/8633300.stm|title=Watford 3–0 Reading|work=[[BBC Sport]]|access-date=14 July 2010|date=24 April 2010}}</ref>

<ref name=veteran>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-gibbs-the-veteran-of-vicarage-road-1127479.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220620/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-gibbs-the-veteran-of-vicarage-road-1127479.html |archive-date=20 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Gibbs the veteran of Vicarage Road|newspaper=[[The Independent]]|access-date=13 July 2010|date=20 November 1999|author=Moore, Glenn}}</ref>

<ref name=WhosWho>''The Watford Football Club Illustrated Who's Who'' p. 95</ref>

<ref name=wleg>{{cite web|url=http://www.watfordlegends.com/Nigel%20Gibbs.html|title=Nigel Gibbs at Watford Legends|publisher=watfordlegends.com|access-date=14 July 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110918204716/http://www.watfordlegends.com/Nigel%20Gibbs.html|archive-date=18 September 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>

}}

{{Watford F.C. Player of the Season}}
{{Watford F.C. managers}}
{{Watford F.C. Hall of Fame}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gibbs, Nigel}}
[[Category:1965 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Footballers from St Albans]]
[[Category:English men's footballers]]
[[Category:Men's association football fullbacks]]
[[Category:Watford F.C. players]]
[[Category:English Football League players]]
[[Category:Premier League players]]
[[Category:England men's youth international footballers]]
[[Category:England men's under-21 international footballers]]
[[Category:Watford F.C. non-playing staff]]
[[Category:English football managers]]
[[Category:Watford F.C. managers]]
[[Category:Swansea City A.F.C. non-playing staff]]
[[Category:Reading F.C. non-playing staff]]
[[Category:Portsmouth F.C. non-playing staff]]
[[Category:Tottenham Hotspur F.C. non-playing staff]]
[[Category:West Bromwich Albion F.C. non-playing staff]]
[[Category:English football coaches]]