I recently wrote a blog post about the earliest grave I have found yet of a Falkirk FC player, [Thomas Smith], then I come across an earlier one [I will find James 'Jamie' Neil eventually, he was the first to die as far as I know, 1888], hey that is the way it goes [until I get my way and there is a special Falkirk FC players section, I will always be hunting].
Robert Gibson played centre-forward for Falkirk for much of the early part of the 1880s, sadly, no matter how much I look, many of the matches in this period were poorly reported, therefore my spreadsheets have lots of blank cells. Which means in a career of over five years with the club I only know of thirty games in which he played. Doubtless he played more games, but I have no evidence.
Camelon Cemetery
He was a bricklayer by trade, and died in Glebe Street [just round the corner from where I am writing this now]. On the following Saturday Falkirk FC played Burnbank Swifts. The team wore black armbands and the flag was flown at half-mast [the first time it is noted of this happening with Falkirk FC]
In some places his birth is listed as taking place in Eastwood, Renfrewshire, however in the 'Births, Deaths and Marriages' part of the Falkirk Herald it said he was born in Pollockshaws, Renfrewshire.
Robert Gibson
b 18th July 1855, Eastwood, Renfrewshire
d 16th April 1892, Falkirk, Stirlingshire
Debut – Saturday September 18th 1880 v Queen's Park (Hampden XI) (H) Friendly
Positions – Centre-Forward
Club Honours – Stirlingshire Cup W 1883/84
Scottish Cup Matches /Goals [5/1]
Minor Cup Matches/Goals [3/-]
Other Matches/Goals [22/5]
Other Matches/Goals [30/6]
Known Career – Falkirk [1880/81-1885/86]
Notes-
Played for East Stirlingshire v Vale of Teith, Friendly at Merchiston Pk, Bainsford, 10th March 1883
Played for Alloa Athletic XI v Queen's Park, Friendly at West End Pk, Alloa, 28th April 1883
Brother of Walter Gibson [Falkirk 1880/81-1885/86]