Experienced Gibb knows it all

Last updated : 11 January 2008 By NCM bring you everything you n

Gibb becomes McParland's fourth signing of the January transfer window so far, following the arrivals of Guy Branston, Felix Bastians and Gavin Strachan before, and arrives on loan for a month.

This latest acquisition isn't likely to be the last either, with McParland still actively searching for a goalscorer to bolster the ranks further.

Gibb... As he is now in his previous Pool game

And that goalscorer could be charged with getting on the end of Gibb's deliveries, with the right sided player said to be a fantastic crosser of the ball - his best attribute according to fans of Hartlepool and Northampton Town where he spent a large chunk of his career.

Gibb is certainly an experienced lower leagues player, and was a key figure as the Pool achieved promotion to League One last term, including performing at Meadow Lane for 90 minutes of United's 1-0 success in December 2006.

Indeed, during his career Gibb has been part of two promotion winning teams and two relegated squads.

He has fallen down the pecking order at Victoria Park due to the superb form of wanted man James Brown, and is eager to get first team football under his belt. That said, he has still made ten appearances in all competitions this season, his last being from the start as the Pool lost 2-1 at Gillingham in November.

The 31-year-old, who can also play at right back, started his career with Norwich City where he failed to appear for the first team, amassing 30 reserve games during their stint in the Premiership.

A loan spell at Northampton Town heralded his first professional football, and he impressed sufficiently to earn a permanent in February 1996 for £15,000.

The move made him a regular at Sixfields, as the Cobblers earned promotion via the playoffs, beating Swansea City 1-0 in the Wembley final. Gibb didn't play that day, but did feature 20 times in the campaign, including in the second leg of the semi-final.

Gibb... Caught by Man City's Kevin Horlock in Cobberls days
By the time the new season came, Gibb was a regular and amongst the first names on the team sheet and he helped Town to a second successive playoff final, only this time he did figure, getting on for the last half hour of a 1-0 loss to Grimsby Town.

He did score just once that campaign, being used mainly for his assists as he provided several of the goals that the likes of Jason Dozzell and Chris Freestone hit home.

Gibb's inability to find the net was proving his only downside but he continued to supply the ammunition for Town as they slumped badly following their playoff heartache, suffering second season syndrome as they were relegated back to the basement division.

That season did however see him linked with a move to Premiership West Ham, after Town defeated them 2-0 in the Worthington Cup.

Gibb, performing at full-back that day, was the start turn, and was reportedly interesting Harry Redknapp, but it never transpired.

However, after starting off life in League Two with Northampton, Gibb started suffering with a spate of injuries and his final Northampton appearance came in their 3-0 win over York City on February 5 2000.

He was sold to what is now the Championship where Stockport County paid

Gibb... Long spell at County ended here with 4-0 loss to Notts
£50,000 for the promising player.

He helped the Hatters stay up against the odds that year, and again the season after, making 57 appearances over the two campaigns.

The 2001/02 season was however to be the clubs last in the second tier, as they finished rock bottom, some 23 points adrift of safety.

Gibb remained a mainstay of the side, but an expected promotion push never materialised, although he finally found his first County goal, the crucial second in a 3-1 away win at Blackpool.

His time with the Hatters ironically ended at Meadow Lane as four goals from Paul Heffernan saw Notts topple Stockport 4-1, and Gibb was then moved on to Bristol Rovers in League Two on a free transfer.

Gibb made 70 appearances at the Memorial Ground before Danny Wilson, a long term admirer, swooped to take him to Hartlepool just a couple of weeks into the 2006/07 season which ended with the Pools promoted.

The right winger goes straight into McParland's squad for the six pointer at Bradford City on Saturday.