William Kennedy Gibson
Encyclopedia
William Kennedy Gibson was an Irish
footballer and political activist.
Although born in Glasgow
, Gibson's family were from Belfast
, and Gibson moved there at a young age. Gibson was a talented footballer who played for Cliftonville F.C.
while still at school. He played thirteen matches for the Ireland national football team from 1894 to 1902, scoring once, against England, and captaining the side on four occasions. He won numerous honours with Cliftonville before becoming President of the club, then becoming active in its management.
Outside football, Gibson worked as a solicitor
, and he provided legal advice to the Irish Football Association
, becoming its vice-chairman in 1907. In 1909, he was elected to the Belfast Corporation as an independent Unionist
, with the support of the Belfast Citizens' Association. He defeated future Lord Mayor of Belfast
William George Turner
, who had the unofficial backing of the Conservative Party
.
Gibson stood again as an independent Unionist in Belfast Ballynafeigh
at the Northern Ireland general election, 1929
, but he was narrowly defeated by Thomas Moles
, the official Unionist candidate.
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
footballer and political activist.
Although born in Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
, Gibson's family were from Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
, and Gibson moved there at a young age. Gibson was a talented footballer who played for Cliftonville F.C.
Cliftonville F.C.
Cliftonville Football & Athletic Club is a semi-professional, Northern Irish football club playing in the IFA Premiership. Founded on 20 September 1879 by John McCredy McAlery in the suburb of Cliftonville in north Belfast, it is the oldest football club in Ireland and celebrated its 130th...
while still at school. He played thirteen matches for the Ireland national football team from 1894 to 1902, scoring once, against England, and captaining the side on four occasions. He won numerous honours with Cliftonville before becoming President of the club, then becoming active in its management.
Outside football, Gibson worked as a solicitor
Solicitor
Solicitors are lawyers who traditionally deal with any legal matter including conducting proceedings in courts. In the United Kingdom, a few Australian states and the Republic of Ireland, the legal profession is split between solicitors and barristers , and a lawyer will usually only hold one title...
, and he provided legal advice to the Irish Football Association
Irish Football Association
The Irish Football Association is the organising body for association football in Northern Ireland, and was historically the governing body for Ireland...
, becoming its vice-chairman in 1907. In 1909, he was elected to the Belfast Corporation as an independent Unionist
Independent Unionist
See also Independent .Independent Unionist has been a label sometimes used by candidates in elections in the United Kingdom, indicating a support for Unionism, retaining the unity of the British state....
, with the support of the Belfast Citizens' Association. He defeated future Lord Mayor of Belfast
Lord Mayor of Belfast
The Lord Mayor of Belfast is the leader and chairman of Belfast City Council, elected annually from and by the City's 51 councillors.The Lord Mayor is Niall Ó Donnghaile of Sinn Féin, while the Deputy Lord Mayor is Ruth Patterson of the Democratic Unionist Party, who were elected in May 2011.The...
William George Turner
William George Turner
William George Turner was a unionist politician in Northern Ireland.Born in Ballygawley, County Tyrone, Turner became a fruiterer on the Shankill Road. He first stood for election to the Belfast Corporation in the Cliftonville ward in 1909. Although he was officially an independent Unionist, he...
, who had the unofficial backing of the Conservative Party
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
.
Gibson stood again as an independent Unionist in Belfast Ballynafeigh
Belfast Ballynafeigh (Northern Ireland Parliament constituency)
Belfast Ballynafeigh was a constituency of the Parliament of Northern Ireland.-Boundaries:Belfast Ballynafeigh was a borough constituency comprising part of southern Belfast...
at the Northern Ireland general election, 1929
Northern Ireland general election, 1929
-References:*...
, but he was narrowly defeated by Thomas Moles
Thomas Moles
Thomas Moles was an Ulster Unionist politician. Born in Belfast, Ireland in 1871, he was educated at the Collegiate School, Ballymena....
, the official Unionist candidate.