Having represented Enfield, Middlesex and London at schools level, Gibbins began his career as an apprentice with Tottenham Hotspur, where his father Eddie had played in the early 1950s.
He spent a further two and a half seasons at White Hart Lane, but left in August 1975, to join Oxford United, without making his league debut.
He helped Cardiff to promotion in his first season at Ninian Park, but left in October 1985 after scoring 17 goals in 139 appearances, joining local and Third Division rivals Swansea City in a swap deal involving Chris Marustik.
The Swans were in freefall through the Football League and Gibbins left to join Newport County in August 1986, in effect going from one financially troubled club to another.
He played a further 142 games for Cardiff, scoring 7 goals before ending his league career and joining the coaching staff at Ninian Park.