Much of Boro’s summer 2022 transfer dealings were done as the window came to an end. But we still had time to add Alex Gilbey; the Charlton Athletic midfielder coming to us on loan for the whole 2022-3 campaign. For Boro’ and gaffer Steve Evans, the signing brought more depth and experience to the squad. For the lad himself, it offered the chance to enjoy more game time than his parent club could perhaps give. And, at the time, we were enjoying a decent start to the season – albeit with a small squad that meant everyone could expect to feature at some point.

It was a tidy coup to land Gibney too. The midfielder wasn’t short of offers and could well have opted to stay in League One. By his own admission, however, the move to Boro’ was a challenge to relish – and a place where he could make a mark from the centre of the park. “I signed for Stevenage because I want to get promoted. With the way the manager speaks and what his plans are, he wants the same thing,” Gibney told the official site when he signed. “For me, the main things are to score as many goals as possible and help the Club reach its objective.”

Alex Gilbey: Before Boro’

So, what of this experience we speak about? Well, Gilbey’s Football League experience was 10 years in the making by the time his career brought him to the Lamex. He turned pro at Colchester United in February 2012; making his senior debut for the club later that year in October. The opportunities didn’t come thick and fast with the Us, however. So, he moved out on loan to Newport County in March 2013 as the Exiles chased promotion to the Football League. He would play no small part in helping them get there either; making a telling contribution in the club’s successful playoff run.

Gilbey then went onto enjoy three successful seasons with the Essex club; the last of which saw him appointed as vice-captain and eventually named POTS. But the time came in summer 2016 to move on. The midfielder switched to Wigan Athletic, who had just been promoted to the second tier. Despite signing a three-year deal, he remained with the Latics for just one of them; moving to MK Dons in summer 2017 for an undisclosed fee. It was another fruitful spell for Gibney; sticking with the Dons for three years and again picking up personal plaudits.

In summer 2020, he moved to Charlton Athletic.