Popular goalkeeping coach Craig Gibson will be saying farewell to us this Saturday as he and wife Darrell head north for a new life in West Yorkshire near son Warren and his wife Vicky.
It’s certainly been an eventful four years or so in SE9 for Craig – taking in an appearance at Wembley, promotion as champions of the SCEFL, and more recently, a significant health scare that had him in all our thoughts and prayers as we awaited his recovery.
So, one wonders, how did a fella from Grays in Essex find himself involved in a Step Five club in Eltham ?
“Purely by accident. Having previously worked with Terry Spillane at Maldon & Tiptree in the North division,”, recalls Craig, “when he took the job at Thamesmead Town, I followed him to work as goalkeeper coach and they appointed Andy Walker as first team goalkeeper. I then developed a really close relationship with Andy. Following Walks’ serious knee injury and the demise of Thamesmead, we went our separate ways for a couple of years until I received a call from Walks asking me to come over to Cray Valley where he was playing. I then met with Tommy Osborne and Kevin Watson - they told me they were happy for me to come on board as goalkeeping coach as they didn’t have one at the time, and it went from there.”

Pictured above: “The day Wembley became a reality – the quarter final away at Willand Rovers in Exeter – obviously close to my heart, and my Exeter City friends coming to support us. Great day”

After a career playing in defence and midfield, Craig then went on to explain how he became a goalkeeping coach.
“When I was coaching youth teams, I used to get really annoyed at watching young goalkeepers getting battered by balls flying at them in training and before matches, and - being a frustrated goalkeeper in my youth - I decided to step in and coach a few goalkeepers to help them out.
When I first joined Maldon & Tiptree it was to work with another outfield coach, but I found myself working with their goalkeepers during pre-season and was then invited to join them as a goalkeeping coach. It just went from there really.
I’m very big on enthusiasm, passion and drive, and try to instil that in the players I work with. As a defender, I see situations from a different perspective to my goalkeepers and try to pass that on in the work we do – angles at corners, free kicks etc. I also like to learn from the senior goalkeepers I work with and pass that experience onto the youngsters”.

“One of my abiding memories as I leave the Club is of the camaraderie in the dressing room. Kevin is very big at signing not just good players, but good people. That process has made it a very happy and welcoming place to be. Despite the difference in age, the players at the Club have always been very friendly towards me and made me feel part of the group – and that’s fantastic.”

As a leaving message to those at the Club, Craig was eager to thank all of the Committee and supporters for the welcome he has received, and urged those he leaves behind to carry on enjoying the football at the Club and keep the family feel – no matter what happens in the future – and to keep the ethos of the Club.
And of course, keep the memories of Wembley !!

A final message to the players…….”I’d like them wrap up the league with at least a couple of games to go so that I can make my plans to come down and be part of the presentation celebrations”.

All the best Gibbo – and thanks !!

FOOTNOTE
As those who know Gibbo will testify, he always has to have the last word. So…………..
“Having been involved in football at levels in one capacity or another, from the cubs to the Premier League over 54 years, Cray Valley has been my favourite time.
A big thanks to my wife as well who has put up with this for the last 38 years”.