Tributes paid to former Daventry Town goalkeeper who went on to teach hundreds of people to drive

Well-known former Daventry sportsman and driving instructor Guy Gibbins has passed away at the age of 75 following a period of illness.

Guy, a lifelong Daventry resident, died peacefully surrounded by family at Northampton General Hospital on Saturday, April 30.

Well known for his love of sport, ‘Gibbo’ was goalkeeper for Daventry Town in the 1950s and 60s, represented WH Hemmings, Drayton and Daventry cricket clubs from the 1960s to 1980s and, over a period of many years, was a member of Farthingstone, Daventry & District and Staverton Park golf clubs.

A past captain of the Farthingstone club, he was also captain of the veterans’ section at Staverton Park – where he played until his death – in 2013.

When not playing, Guy was a keen follower of sport, most notably Chelsea and Northampton Town football clubs and Northants Cricket Club.

Educated in his home town, Guy started his working life at Daventry Engineering before joining his family haulage firm, FC Gibbins.

Established by his father Frank Clarke, the business was owned in later years by Guy, his late brother Roy and surviving elder sister, Ros Vallis.

With premises at Long March, Daventry, the business remained in family hands until the late 1970s when it was sold to High Wycombe-based transport company Fastline.

Guy remained with the company – expanding to new premises on Drayton Fields – until the late 1980s, when he left to set up his own driving instructor business.

His business proved an immediate success and he taught hundreds of people to drive before slowly working down to full retirement in 2013.

Guy shared his 48th wedding anniversary with his loving-wife Jen in April.

A much-loved dad and pap, he also leaves behind three children and five grandchildren.

Funeral details are to be confirmed.

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