Gibson was born in Normanby, near Middlesbrough in Yorkshire. His father moved to south Wales to work in the docks, and Gibson was spotted by Cardiff City playing football for a local team in Penarth. He assisted Cardiff City to the Third Division South title in 1946–47, before joining Newcastle United, newly promoted to the First Division, in the 1948 close season for a £15,000 fee. Despite rarely missing a game, Gibson was one of eleven players "considered redundant" in January 1949, and despite interest from Arsenal – manager Tom Whittaker said that "Arsenal are always on the look-out for real footballers like Gibson" – he signed for Aston Villa for £17,500.
