Davie and friends drop into club shop to launch biography
Thanks to everyone that stopped by at St James Park last Thursday to meet with former Exeter City great Davie Gibson, collect autographs, and get his new biography signed.
Gibbo, pictured centre, was at the club shop at St James Park with four former teammates – Keith Bowker, Alan Banks, Jimmy Giles and Jimmy Blain (left to right) – and the quintet entertained their guests and each other with more anecdotes from their playing days.
Plenty of copies of Gibbo’s biography were sold that evening, and there are still plenty more now on sale from the club shop – including autographed copies.
And Davie told exetercityfc.co.uk what his biography was all about.
“It’s basically my life story as someone that was born on a miner’s row in a little village 10 miles west of Edinburgh,” said Gibbo.
“The only thing we could play with then, and like most other kids, was a tanner ba. It was basically like a tennis ball and it cost a sixpence. Maybe it was fate and destiny that came along for some reason and picked me out and said ‘he’s going to go on and make it’ because there were hundreds of other kids that were doing the very same.
“I met some good guys along the way as I was growing up, who helped me as I was growing up and in the reserves, right through until I finished up when I met people like Jimmy Giles who helped me then.
“It was a lovely journey – I’ve got no complaints. I was fortunate, as I did get capped for Scotland. Sometimes I look back and think I didn’t get to play in World Cups, but I had a magic journey – I really did.”
He also recalled his memories of coming to St James Park at the end of his career – as well as passing on some advice to those that are beginning their own journeys, such as those youngsters in Exeter City’s current squad.
“It was nice to come to a club where the manager wanted me,” he continued. “When you’re 30-odd, that’s not very easy as people tend to think you’re too old or whatever, but John Newman wanted me.
“But the memory I’ve got from coming here to Exeter is the camaraderie. I’m still very close to all the guys I played with, even 30 years later.
“Even if I had won World Cups, it’s the other side of the game that is the enjoyment. If I can give any kid growing up a bit of advice, it’s to try and enjoy it. It’s not always easy, but try to play with a smile on your face.”