Derby County Football Club Women General Manager Duncan Gibb is to stand down after 10 years at the helm, the club has announced.
Gibb joined what was Derby County Ladies at the start of the 2013/14 season and leaves having overseen significant growth and development during his tenure. The club has twice been named FA Club of the Year, in 2015 and 2018.
Gibb stands down as Derby County Women is, from July 1, formally integrated into Derby County Football Club and Gibb said he believed he had achieved everything he had set out to do and “now is the right time to pass the baton on”.
The First Team players and management will become contracted while the new arrangement will also see the formation of an Elite Player Pathway for the junior section, merging players from the Derby County Women’s Academy and those currently playing in the FA’s Regional Talent Centre, operated by Derby County Community Trust, which is closing at the end of the current season.
Gibb added: “It’s been an incredible 10 years at this club, during which we have grown steadily on and off the pitch and I have achieved everything I wanted to. I’m immensely proud and satisfied at a job well done and I look forward to seeing the club’s development continue as it formally becomes part of Derby County Football Club, a move that can only be good for the women’s club and the women’s game.”
Stephen Pearce, Chief Executive Officer of Derby County Football Club, said: “Duncan has been instrumental to the growth and success of Derby County Women and one of the greatest highlights is twice being named FA Club of the Year. I would personally like to thank him for all his hard work and achievements during his time at the club. Over recent years, Derby County has increased its support for the women’s club and that will only continue as they start next season fully part of the Derby County setup.”
