Fond farewell to Gibson

Leek Town fans said farewell to flying Aussie winger Devon Gibson when he made his final appearance at Harrison Park on Saturday.

The 20-year old signed off in the FA Trophy game against Witton and is now destined to spend the rest of his life ‘down under’.

Speaking on behalf of the club Blues’ Chairman Andrew Wain said, “ We are really saddened to loose such a fine young man on and off the park.

“Devon will be remembered for his great pace and commitment to the Leek Town cause, he did brilliantly whilst he was with us.

“However, we must respect his decision and we all wish him well as he resumes his life ‘down under’.

“Devon will be very hard to replace and if he ever decides to return to the UK there will always be a place for him at Harrison Park”, he added.

Gibson, who captained the Australian Schoolboy side on their UK tour three years ago, also played for Cockburn City in Perth and appeared in the final of the Aussie reality TV series ‘Football Superstar’.

Macclesfield born Gibson emigrated with his family when he was 11 and returned to the UK in December 2010 looking to progress in English pro-football and, after training with Macclesfield, he was snapped up by then Blues manager Neil Cox.

Gibson went on to score 12 goals in 42 appearances for Leek but has now decided his future lays back down-under and he fly’s out on Wednesday.

Spence registration
Leek Town secretary Brian Wain resolved the nationality status of new signing Dwayne Spence last week and the striker has now been registered with the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League.

Meanwhile, full back Tom Sellers could be back in action soon after recovering from a mystery virus.

Sellers limped out of Blues’ away fixture at Sheffield FC last March with a troublesome groin injury that laid him low until undergoing surgery in May.

However, Sellers picked up a stomach bug and was admitted to hospital for a second time in a dehydrated state that left him three degrees under.

However, the talented defender has played a few games at Alsager in recent weeks as part of his recovery and would have trained with Leek this week but for the Trophy replay at Witton on Wednesday.

Coming up
Leek Town’s away league fixture at Belper on Tuesday has been postponed for a second time due to Blues’ involvement in an FA Trophy replay at Witton on Wednesday.

Leek are next in league action next Saturday when they entertain struggling Quorn at Harrison Park 3.00pm.

Quorn suffered defeat at Stamford on Saturday a result that dropped then into 20th place just one spot above the relegation zone and level on points with second bottom club Rainworth.

Meanwhile, second half strikes from Sean Turner and Tim Grice were enough to see Leek Town into the next round of the Staffordshire Senior Cup at the expense of Stafford Rangers.

Blues have now been drawn away at local rivals Kidsgrove Athletic in the quarter finals on a date still to be arranged.

Former Blues in the news
A number of former Leek Town players and management staff have been in the news in recent weeks including goalkeeper Gary Ingham, central defender Lee Barrow, midfielder Chris White and manager John Ramshaw.

Ingham has left his role as assistant manager at Stocksbridge Park Steels after manager Gary Marrow resigned, Barrow has accepted the role of player/coach at Gresley Rovers and White is now caretaker manager at Shepshed Dynamo after former Blues’ manager Ramshaw left the club to take the manager’s job at Eastwood Town.

Blues join ‘Movember’ movement
The players and management team at Leek Town Football Club have decided to take part in a growing trend known as ‘Movember’.

‘Movember’ is the cultivation of a completely inappropriate moustache all in aid of men's prostate and testicular cancer.

The aim of the month is to raise as much money as possible for the cancer causes and also help the team bond together.

The squad and staff will be unable to shave their ‘taches’ for the whole month and anyone doing so will be fined £5 and consequently named and shamed.

Blues’ striker Jimmy McCarthy is the 'team captain' and anyone can make a donation to the team via his webpage for the event at mobro.co/leektown and click on donate to the team!

Alternatively, Jimmy or any of the lads will quite happily accept donations after any game!

Leek Town fans are being urged to support the Blues’ boys in this very worthwhile cause by sponsoring them for as much as they can afford.

Photos of the ‘taches’ will be captured on 29th November when Blues play at Newcastle Town and published on the Leek Town website!

Fundraising
Leek Town Football Club is holding a New Years Eve party in the Blues Bar with a disco and buffet and the event will run from 8pm until 2am.

There will be only 130 tickets for this event and interest has already been high so you are advised to book early to avoid disappointment.

Tickets are available for adults only at just £10 each and can be purchased from Matt Beeby on 07712 584356 or Gavin Bateman on 07972 350170.

Meanwhile the club is also organising a grand Christmas raffle with a main prize of a hamper worth £100.

Tickets are also available from Matt and Gavin and if anyone is able to sell some tickets on the club's behalf they would be happy to hear from you