Lewis Gibbens leaves Mansfield Town with memories he will 'treasure forever'

Lewis Gibbens has left Mansfield Town, but the young defender says the club has given him opportunities he will 'treasure forever'.
Lewis Gibbens was presented with the Jack Retter Youth Team Player of the Season award in 2018. Photo: Andrew Roe/AHPIX LTDLewis Gibbens was presented with the Jack Retter Youth Team Player of the Season award in 2018. Photo: Andrew Roe/AHPIX LTD
Lewis Gibbens was presented with the Jack Retter Youth Team Player of the Season award in 2018. Photo: Andrew Roe/AHPIX LTD

The 20-year-old defender is looking to put his nightmare season behind him with regular football at National League North outfit Boston United.

The Stags offered Gibbens a short-term deal, but the Leicester-based youngster wants to gain the first-team experience he believes will help him one day return to the Football League.

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"My aim's always to prove myself in men's football. I've played reserve team football and I want to do well in the men's game," said Gibbens, who has had two previous loan spells at York Street.

"It's also that stability I need because of how football's going because of the pandemic."

Gibbens' two loan spells at Boston were both cut short by injury, his first due to a shoulder injury at Spennymoor Town in the 2018-19 campaign

Last season, his time was ended early by a groin injury picked up in the FA Cup victory at Hednesford Town which left him sidelined.

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"I had a tough season last season and (the move will) help me develop this year," he continued.

"When I got injured in the Boston game I didn't manage to play or train again that season with the lockdown coming.

"I had two operations on my groin and when I was ready to come back lockdown happened."

While Gibbens is looking forward to his new challenge, he admits he will miss life at Mansfield.

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"It's one of them where I've come through the academy system,” he said.

"They took me in from Sunday League football. It was the first proper academy i'd been involved in.

"The coaches and staff were great with me and they gave me the opportunity to make my professional debut and play in cup competitions with the first team, which I'll treasure forever.

"It just felt right to move.

"The opportunities for first team football at Mansfield may have been a bit more slim and it's time for me to show what I can do as a player and as a person.

"I wouldn't rule out a move back to the Football League, it's a dream for any kid."