Ian Gillibrand - Player Profile

Ian Victor Gillibrand, affectionately known as ‘Gilly’, is a name familiar to many fans who have followed Wigan Athletic over the years. Born in Blackburn on the 24^th November 1948 Ian began his career at Arsenal after spending some time on trial with his local club Blackburn Rovers. Ian was released by the Gunners without ever making an appearance for the first team and following a recommendation from the then Arsenal manager Bertie Mee he was signed by Wigan Athletic.                                                 

He made his debut for the Latics against Rhyl on 24th April 1968 and thus began a long and distinguished career with Latics.               

Ian Victor Gillibrand quickly became a popular figure among supporters. His dedication to Wigan Athletic was evident as he went on to play a remarkable 661 games for the club, a record for the most appearances by any player. He holds the club's appearance record, and is the only player in the club's history to play for Wigan in the Cheshire League, Northern Premier League and the Football League.                                                                                       

Ian’s consistent performances earned him the ‘Player of the Year’ award in both the 1968-69 and 1970-71 seasons.                                                                                                                   

Whilst primarily a defender, Gilly managed to score a single goal for the Latics, which came against Accrington Stanley in a Lancashire Junior Cup.                                                                             

In 1978 Ian Gillibrand was given the honour of captaining Wigan Athletics’ first ever Football League side.                                                                                                                                      

Wigan manager Ian McNeill felt that the club's promotion to the Football League had "happened too late" for Ian Gillibrand, who made only seven appearances in the club's first Football League season before taking up a coaching role at the club.                              

Gillibrand left the club in 1984 to become manager of the Robin Park sports complex.     

Ian collapsed and died in Rossendale, whilst playing in a charity cricket match for Lower Darwen, being a village where he had lived throughout his childhood.                                  

Ian was the epitomy of a ‘one club’ player and he dedicated much of his life to the Latics as he regularly represented them at social and charitable events. Gilly was and will always be for many of the fan base the Ultimate ‘Tic’.