Gibson and Jones enjoy satisfying victory over former employers

Neil Gibson had one of his most satisfying days as Altrincham manager when his current team beat his former side Wealdstone on Tuesday night.

Jimmy Knowles’ first-half strike saw Alty edge six points clear of the National League relegation zone with a 1-0 victory over the Stones.

Prestatyn man Gibson was manager of Wealdstone last season, taking over in January 2025 and saving the club from the drop, but he, along with assistant Lee Jones, left the London Borough outfit in May by mutual consent.

In October last year, Gibson and Jones took over at Altrincham, initially on an interim basis.

After picking up an impressive 10 points from their opening four games, the pair’s appointment became permanent, securing them a contract through the end of the 2026-27 season.

When the duo first landed at Moss Lane, the Robins were placed 20th out of 24 clubs.

After Tuesday’s win over Wealdstone, they sit 17th in the National League standings.

Following those three early wins, Alty have won just three of 13 league matches under their North Wales management, but most defeats have been very narrow and they have continued to compete well in a highly competitive league.

Former Prestatyn Town and Connah’s Quay Nomads manager Gibson, who lifted the Welsh Cup as boss at both those clubs, is a former Tranmere Rovers, Sheffield Wednesday and Rhyl FC player who was also capped 12 times for Wales Under-21s.

Gibson and Jones departed Nomads in August 2024, three months after leading them to victory over The New Saints in the Welsh Cup Final.

Now the partnership have added to their stock by doing solid jobs at two English pyramid Tier 5 clubs.

NEIL GIBSON’S RESULTS AT ALTRINCHAM (league games unless stated)

Oct 25: Braintree (a) 0-0
Nov 1: Slough Town (a-FA Cup) 1-2
Nov 5: Boston United (h) 1-0
Nov 8: Truro City (a) 1-0
Nov 15: Brackley Town (h) 2-1
Nov 22: Southend United (a) 0-3
Nov 29: Scunthorpe United (h) 4-2
Dec 6: Aldershot Town (a) 1-2
Dec 13: AFC Telford United (a-FA Trophy) 3-4
Dec 19: Rochdale United (h) 0-3
Dec 26: FC Halifax Town (a) 1-2
Dec 30: York City (h) 1-2
Jan 17: Hartlepool United (a) 0-1
Jan 21: Forest Green Rovers (a) 1-1
Jan 24: Boreham Wood (h) 3-1
Jan 31: Carlisle United (a) 1-3
Feb 3: Morecambe (h) 1-1
Feb 7: Yeovil Town (h) 0-1
Feb 10: Wealdstone (h) 1-0
LEAGUE: Played 17 Won 6 Drawn 3 Lost 8 Points 21 (out of possible 51)