Player #417 for Aston Villa, Colin Hayward Gibson known as Colin Gibson, played as a winger in the outside right position between 1948-49 and 1955-56 making 167 appearances and scoring 25 goals.

Colin was born in Normanby-on-Tees on 16 September 1923 and made his debut appearance for Villa on Saturday, 12 February 1949 at the age of 25.

Villa had signed Colin from Newcastle United for a fee of £17,500 earlier in February 1949.

A lithe athlete, Colin joined Villa after just a few month’s service with Newcastle United who he had joined from Cardiff City for whom he had performed excellent service as a right winger. A fine reader of the game, Colin won his first international cap in his first season with Villa when he was selected by the FA to face Holland in Amsterdam.

Colin never knew when he was beaten, a hard working player who put his lissome athletic skills to great effect whether playing as an inside man or winger.

Few players enjoyed their football as much as Colin whilst off the field he enlivened many hours for his colleagues with his expert piano playing skills.

Colin made 11 appearances through to the end of his debut season and subsequently became Villa’s regular outside right making over 130 appearances for the club between 1949 and 1954 after which his appearances became more limited.

Colin played his last game for Villa on Saturday, 8 October 1955 aged 32 after which he joined Lincoln City for a fee of £6,000 in January 1956.

Colin had played under managers Alex Massie, George Martin and Eric Houghton.

Colin passed away in Stourbridge on 27 March 1992 aged 68.