Ben Gibson set on a Middlesbrough push as York City loan spell ends

12:00pm Wednesday 23rd May 2012 in News Photograph of the Author By Dave Flett, Sports reporter

Ben Gibson Ben Gibson

TEENAGE defender Ben Gibson intends to return to boyhood heroes Middlesbrough and fight for a first-team place after ending his loan spell at York City with two Wembley winners’ medals.

But the former England youth international will not rule out a temporary move back to Bootham Crescent should he fail to make the breakthrough at the Championship club next season.

Gibson has made one senior outing for Boro, at the end of the 2010/11 season, but intends to discuss his future with Riverside boss Tony Mowbray before considering his plans for next term.

The 19-year-old, who is the nephew of Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson, told The Press: “I’ve got another two years at Middlesbrough and, while now is not the time to think about anything, I want to enjoy my summer and go to Middlesbrough and fight for my place there.

“My main ambition is to play for Middlesbrough – it’s been my dream since being a little boy so I would like to see if I can do that but we will see what the manager says when I go back there.”

Gibson also believes his experiences this season, both in a struggling League Two side during the first three months of the campaign at Plymouth and later as part of Gary Mills’ double-winning City team, will have helped his professional development.

Gibson said: “I’ve gone from one edge of the earth to the other.

“We were going through hard times at Plymouth but I learned a lot and still cherish my time there. The same applies to York City.

“I’ve had a great time and met some fantastic people who I believe will be friends for life. It’s been great to be part of a succesful team and I can’t really put into words how good it’s all been.”

Gibson feels his affinity with City’s fans and desire to deliver success for them has been made all the greater because he hails from nearby Nunthorpe.

He added: “It’s been brilliant because I’m a fairly local boy and know what York City means to the people and, the way I am, I look to be successful wherever I go and like to win every game you can do. I’ve been lucky enough to pretty much do that at York and the last two games have meant so much.”

On his own display at left-back during Sunday’s 2-1 Blue Square Bet Premier play-off final victory over Luton, Gibson was a little self-critical but will not be dwelling on any negatives now.

He said: “I could have done better on a couple of occasions but that’s not important now. You have to enjoy the celebrations when they come along and to get two wins at Wembley in a week is fantastic.”

Nor is the 2010 England UEFA Under-17 European Championship winner attempting to distinguish between the feeling of tasting success for both club and country.

“To play for your country is one of the best things you could ever do,” he said. “It’s something you dream of but to play and win at Wembley in front of so many people is perhaps on a higher scale.

“I’m not really thinking about which feels better though. They are both on a par really.”

Having tasted life in League Two with Plymouth last term, Gibson also predicts that City will not need a major overhaul of their squad to challenge for honours in 2012/13.

He said: “Personally, I don’t think things would need to change too much but we will see what the manager does next season. In my opinion, we have a very good group of lads and I would really fancy us to do well.”

Comments(31)

KAT1965 says...
12:11pm Wed 23 May 12

Shame he isn't staying - good on the ball and made a cracking pass to Walker on Sunday - only for him to be falsely given offside. Happy to see him back on loan next season if it doesn't work out at Boro.

Report this post »

dangermoose says...
12:27pm Wed 23 May 12

Lets be clear, Gibbo is from Nunthorpe, Middlesbrough and NOT Nunthorpe, York.
Would love to see him back here next season. Well done Ben, you were superb on Sunday mate.

Report this post »

Wilyorkuk1983 says...
12:30pm Wed 23 May 12

The last para is very interesting as he still talks about your as "we" and "us", subconstiously does he see himself staying at York as a First Team regular or a reserve/bit part Middlesbrough Player?

Report this post »

Wilyorkuk1983 says...
12:30pm Wed 23 May 12

The last para is very interesting as he still talks about York as "we" and "us", subconstiously does he see himself staying at York as a First Team regular or a reserve/bit part Middlesbrough Player?”

Report this post »

Blaydon Red says...
12:33pm Wed 23 May 12

I think it's clear that Ben will go on and play at a higher level. Whether he is now ready for the Championship is a different question and given that he is 19, a year on loan as a first choice defender in league 2 would seem like a good option for him.

Report this post »

Wilbur says...
12:33pm Wed 23 May 12

Would be great for us, and his development, to get him back on a season long loan. A year in a decent footballing side playing competative games would be far better than being on the fringes of the Boro team.

We've had some pretty cr@p loan signings in the past who have underperformed because their heart is not at the Club.

Ben is right up there with the likes of Michael Proctor for me as a real 100%er and will be forever filed in the HERO drawer.
Thanks for everything Ben.

Report this post »

The Legend Of Keith says...
12:38pm Wed 23 May 12

Excellent for the club and always gave his all. I was at Cambridge and thought his red card fairly harsh, but what focus and determination when he did return to the squad!

Well done Ben. Best of luck at Boro but you'll always be welcome back to York (even if only to watch!).

COYR.

Report this post »

yorkonafork says...
1:49pm Wed 23 May 12

Reckon we'll get a season long loan out of him. Great player with a good attitude and could probably do with a season of first team games at a lower grade.

Report this post »

ADAMCUTHBERT says...
1:53pm Wed 23 May 12

According to N power League website Mez is getting lots of interest from a few championship clubs notably Watford and Burnley!

Quick Gary get him on a new deal sharp-ish!

Ply him with lots of that Sangria in Benidorm and get him to sign!

Report this post »

Fat Harry says...
2:09pm Wed 23 May 12

ADAMCUTHBERT wrote:
According to N power League website Mez is getting lots of interest from a few championship clubs notably Watford and Burnley! Quick Gary get him on a new deal sharp-ish! Ply him with lots of that Sangria in Benidorm and get him to sign!
I'm afraid he's not in benidorm; he's gone home to Australia.

It's a shame because away from the close-knit group of City players, he'll be easier prey for the agents to pick off.

Realistically, if he's getting decent offers from clubs higher up the pyramid, he's going to take them both from the financial point of view and career development.

It would be nice if all the members of this great squad could stay, but some are destined for bigger clubs and I dare say some wont cut the mustard in League 2 and will go back to the Conference to contribute to someone else's promotion push.

Good luck to them all.

Report this post »

ADAMCUTHBERT says...
2:21pm Wed 23 May 12

That's very true 'Fat Harry' and of course a significant fee would be hard for the board to turn down!

Report this post »

SamYCFC says...
2:32pm Wed 23 May 12

cheers for everything. All the very best at Middlesbrough. welcome back in York anytime.

Report this post »

ian923 says...
2:46pm Wed 23 May 12

Well done at York Ben. Your committment was obvious and you would be warmly welcomed back anytime.Clearly a few of the squad will attract offers from higher League clubs but they don't always work out and I hope the majority of them will want to stay and advance under Gary and Darren.You can't beat having a settled squad and if they aren't now they never will be!Well done City!

Report this post »

RooBeck says...
3:31pm Wed 23 May 12

Ben Gibson had two strong performances at Wembley and he has a classy, confident, assured style to his play. Boro's gain will be our loss but he looks well capable of stepping-up to Championship level sometime over the coming 12 months and coupled to Boro's excellent record for developing home grown talent and giving them their chance in the First XI, he looks to be on Tony Mowbray's radar! Hope you do it Ben and we will always be grateful at City for your playing contributions and these kind words towards the club, in what has been a truly memorable and record breaking season. COYR.

Report this post »

billoofyork says...
3:47pm Wed 23 May 12

ADAMCUTHBERT wrote:
That's very true 'Fat Harry' and of course a significant fee would be hard for the board to turn down!
i believe Meredith just turned 24 and therefore can walk for nothing? unless i am being ignorant of any loopholes!!

Report this post »

OLD - HEAD says...
3:58pm Wed 23 May 12

Its possible that Ben Gibson may return on loan again. I accept that he is a promising talent, but it is a big step up in class from Blue Square Premier to the Championship. It may boil down to a choice of playing reserve football at Boro or appearing in League 2 with City.

Report this post »

duffy says...
7:45pm Wed 23 May 12

I would love to see Gibson back, definatly one of the better loan signings along with Doig who I would also sign. If Mez goes as I think he will a Gibson loan deal is important.

Report this post »

PDH says...
9:49pm Wed 23 May 12

If meredith did leave, i am pretty sure there will be plenty of good quality left backs wanting clubs over the summer. If he leaves we would be far better signing a player of our own for the long term. Loan players are ok but are only short term.

Report this post »

The Curator says...
10:13pm Wed 23 May 12

From a really fed up Blackburn fan Good luck to the Minstermen Happy Days see you at Bootham Crescent and poss Acc Stan next year ,
CHEERS Ted

Report this post »

YcfcBooth says...
10:25pm Wed 23 May 12

duffy wrote:
I would love to see Gibson back, definatly one of the better loan signings along with Doig who I would also sign. If Mez goes as I think he will a Gibson loan deal is important.
Agreed well put, I know Mez is out of contract this summer but is there a possibility of a transfer request to get us some cash as a result before then I'm not familiar with the terms on things like that. I would like to see Gibson stay though as he played well and kept his cool at the play off final which I went to.
Anyone got any transfer rumours coming in our way?

Report this post »

joejamestom says...
10:43pm Wed 23 May 12

Mez gave us a year to help us go up good luck to the best LB in the conference with his future with City or elsewhere. Sat next to his family at Mansfield & Gateshead they were nice people.
One overlooked LB Lee Baker at Newport was class at Kiddy gave Ben Purkss a torrid time at Kiddy but has been out injured a lot of the season might be worth a look but as always in GM we trust.

Report this post »

AlanLttle says...
10:57pm Wed 23 May 12

joejamestom wrote:
Mez gave us a year to help us go up good luck to the best LB in the conference with his future with City or elsewhere. Sat next to his family at Mansfield & Gateshead they were nice people.
One overlooked LB Lee Baker at Newport was class at Kiddy gave Ben Purkss a torrid time at Kiddy but has been out injured a lot of the season might be worth a look but as always in GM we trust.
Ben Purkiss has never played for kidderminster you mug

Report this post »

paintitred says...
8:02am Thu 24 May 12

Re- Mezza. As i understand it we would be able to claim a transfer fee for james if we had offered him a new contract.A suspicious person would may be think this is why hes not go to Benidorm and got himself well out of the way.Iam sure his agent will have bent his ear already.
Either way Mezza owes us nothing and deserves his chance at a higher level. Big step up maybe but he would regret it for the rest of his time in football if he did not take the opertunity.

good luck mezza if you decide to move on.

Report this post »

fatmike says...
10:32am Thu 24 May 12

If Meredith is 24 or more years of age is can sign for any club which wants him for no fee whatsoever, if he is under 24 and the club offer him a new deal within 7 days of the final game, they are entitled to a fee / compensation

Report this post »

Sir Alex says...
10:41am Thu 24 May 12

Mez is 24.
Lindon Meikle - also 24 years old. Out of contract at Mansfield.

Mills should do most of his shopping at BSP level I think, as he will know the targets.

Report this post »

fatmike says...
10:49am Thu 24 May 12

Then if he leaves we'll get £0

Report this post »

RooBeck says...
10:56am Thu 24 May 12

What about Exodus Geohaghon ??!! Some presence and better than Rory Delap at throw-ins! Thought he was a decent player (own goal apart - thanks!!) but he seems a strong, reasonably skillful defender/mid-fielder and knows this neck of the woods, having played for Darlo!!

Report this post »

duffy says...
12:02pm Thu 24 May 12

Yes we lose him for nothing. I know some think we should just be going for league players now, but for mr we're missing a trick if we don't sign one or two of the best none league players. After all Mills has seen them plenty of times.

Report this post »

Sir Alex says...
12:09pm Thu 24 May 12

Not sure about Exodus. Seems to tire after an hour
and was a disaster at Peterbro'. Riley would be a better shout but not sure if we need either.

Jon Shaw?

Adrian Ciezlewicz?

Report this post »

duffy says...
1:42pm Thu 24 May 12

Sir Alex wrote:
Not sure about Exodus. Seems to tire after an hour and was a disaster at Peterbro'. Riley would be a better shout but not sure if we need either. Jon Shaw? Adrian Ciezlewicz?
shaw is out of contract and looking for a move, he has long been a Luton target. He's a good age and matured since he was with us. I know some don't fancy him but I think he might compliment Walker quite well.

Report this post »

TerryYork says...
5:50pm Thu 24 May 12

Great guy and we thank Ben for his service and his effort. Wish him all the best at Boro.

Report this post »

click2find

Get Adobe Flash player
About cookies

We want you to enjoy your visit to our website. That's why we use cookies to enhance your experience. By staying on our website you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more about the cookies we use.

I agree