Having previously spent ten years with the club, firstly managing the U18s before becoming player/coach with the Reserves, Gibson agreed to return in October and take over the Reserves till the end of the season following Ray Harrison’s departure.

Following on from the announcement, CJ commented:
It’s with a heavy heart that I stand down again from this wonderful club.
When I stepped down from the U18s four years ago, it was because I wanted to concentrate on family and things away from football. This reinforces the fact again, as personal reasons again haven’t changed.

When I got the call from the secretary with the chairman’s blessing, to ask me to come and sit short term with the Reserves after Ray Harrison departed, it was a no brainer. I had missed the hustle and bustle of management as well as the part of being involved with a squad.

The first week I already knew what we had to do, with seven leaving and five already considering departure - Steadying the ship along with Dale Issacson was essential. With a few signings to bulk us, it was a very young side left - It was a difficult challenge to take forward. I agreed to stay till the end of the season and we have picked up some good results but then suffered some poor ones as you do!
It’s all about experience, a little bit of luck and cutting mistakes out at critical times of game management. We have played some good football and given it our best, overall I cannot fault the lads for trying hard and learning.
Having such a young side means that learning often comes from making mistakes, without some experience beside you it can often be damming and take time to process. But they will have got a lot out of it all. As it has me, I have taken a lot from it and wouldn’t have turned down the challenge at all.

But I cannot offer full time support and running that is deserved here, we have so much potential to progress and it needs a full time manager who can train and push these lads to the next step towards the first team for Robbie Mason and Erkan Okay to flourish into their squad if the lads are good enough for that step forward.
I have to thank them both also for their support and appreciation of my efforts as well as utilising the system with some first teamers being blooded through us to gain match fitness and experience.

I’d like to thank the chairman Stuart Hamilton for agreeing to me coming in and taking over. To Dale for staying involved and assisting me throughout the season and also to the secretary and club officials for their help on match days and throughout the season.
Lastly to the lads, who committed to the cause and did all that was asked. Results sometimes were harsh on the efforts you put in, but the ones we earned were deserving of all the things you learned along the way. It’s been a pleasure to work with a good group, a lot of banter and good will around a side that could almost have felt forgotten. Not now though, you have shown what you can do and what needs to be done to progress and succeed.

The club would like to thank Chris for his efforts throughout the season, and wish him well for the future.