Willim Vivian Talbot Gibbins (born August 10, 1901 in Forest Gate, London, died November 21, 1979 in Herne Bay, Kent) was an English amateur footballer who played as a striker.

Viv joined West Ham United in 1923 and made his debut on December 26, 1923 against Aston Villa, creating the only goal of the game for Billy Moore. He didn't decide to begin playing permanently for the club until the 1927-28 season. He became the first unpaid West Ham player to top the club's scoring charts in 1930-31, with 18 league goals. Gibbins also played for Clapton, and won the FA Amateur Cup with the club in 1924 and 1925.

Gibbins worked as a schoolmaster and was one of the last amateur footballers to feature for England, with two games against France in 1924 and 1925.

He transferred to Brentford on February 19, 1932, but left at the end of the season. He had spells at Bristol Rovers and Southampton before joining Leyton, where he was a losing FA Amateur Cup finalist in 1934.

1934 saw Gibbins join Catford Wanderers, where he played until his retirement in 1939.

He became headmaster of Harold Road school in West Ham, retiring in the early 1970s, but continued to keep his interest in the game alive by watching local schools football and making the occasional visit to Upton Park.

Vivian Gibbins - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Willim Vivian Talbot Gibbins (born August 10 , 1901 in Forest Gate , London , died November 21 , 1979 in Herne Bay, Kent ) was an English amateur footballer who played as a striker

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Stan Earle - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Stanley Earle (born September 6 , 1897 in Stratford , London , died September 1971 in Colchester ) was an English footballer who played as a forward . Earle played with Vivian Gibbins at Clapton ...

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