Born: Darlaston, 24 March 1907
Died: Woodnesborough, 17 July 1953
Position: Centre back
Signed: 1 May 1930 from Manchester City (£500)
Fulham appearances: 318
Fulham goals: 15
Fulham honours: Division Three South champions (1931-32)
Sold: 1 June 1938 to Worcester City
Tall and powerful centre back Syd Gibbons made over 300 appearances for Fulham between 1930 and 1938, when he left Craven Cottage to become player-manage of Worcester City. The dominant defender, nicknamed ‘Cantera’ after the champion heavyweight, was spotted by Fulham boss Ned Liddell whilst playing for Manchester City’s reserves. Gibbons forged an excellent understanding with Bert Barrett and Len Oliver as the Whites won promotion in 1932 and missed only eight first team matches in his time at the club. He helped the Whites reach the FA Cup semi-final in 1936 and remains the only defender to score a hat-trick for Fulham – when he scored three times in the last 20 minutes having been pushed up front as the Whites came back from 3-0 down against Southampton in November 1934.
