 In 1945, Gibbons turned professional and signed with Bradford Park Avenue to play the 1945–46 season in the wartime league and an expanded FA Cup.The Avenue advanced to the sixth round, with Gibbons scoring four goals in an 8–2 fourth round second leg win over Manchester City on 30 January 1946.Avenue were admitted to the Second Division for the 1946–47 season and he made 42 league appearances and scored 21 goals.