I apologize for the lateness of this post, as I only found out today,
Maurice Gibbs sadly passed away peacefully in his sleep after a long illness on Thursday 9th January aged 87 at the St Christopher's Hospice, Sydenham.
Maurice, trading as Steve Gibbs had been a racecourse bookmaker for over fifty years, mainly on the Southern circuit and had still been working on the racecourse as recently as 2017.
He will be sorely missed by his family and friends.
R.I.P. Maurice, I'll always remember you with affection.
My father had a share with him for years, about 40 years ago. I used to Clerk for him when I was a teenager. Not everyone's cup of tea, but he was a Real Gentleman and I always spoke to him about the old days when I used to see him on course.
My father had a share with him for years, about 40 years ago.I used to Clerk for him when I was a teenager.Not everyone's cup of tea, but he was a Real Gentleman and I always spoke to him about the old days when I used to see him on course.
As a young man considering a career change, I met "Steve" in a pub in Streatham (South London) 1973ish to discuss taking a share in his bookmaking. I think he thought I was naive (correct) and to his credit didn't encourage me. Often give each order a nod on the racecourse though whether he remembered where he knew me from, I don't know.
As a young man considering a career change, I met "Steve" in a pub in Streatham (South London) 1973ish to discuss taking a share in his bookmaking. I think he thought I was naive (correct) and to his credit didn't encourage me.Often give each order a
I met him in Streatham many times Brian, he used to go and watch races in the William Hills on the High Street when he wasn't working. I don't think I ever went to a meeting at Brighton with him not standing there. I went to school with his son Greg for a couple of years.
I met him in Streatham many times Brian, he used to go and watch races in the William Hills on the High Street when he wasn't working. I don't think I ever went to a meeting at Brighton with him not standing there. I went to school with his son Greg
A real character no doubt. One anecdote I can recall is an occasion of a punter asking him for a weighty bet at a Christmas Kempton meeting at the displayed odds of 5/1. Steve's response was 'I'm sorry sir I was just about to rub that one out ( talking pre-computers here ) but I shall help you by keeping the price on the board while you get your bet somewhere else'. True class !
A real character no doubt. One anecdote I can recall is an occasion of a punter asking him for a weighty bet at a Christmas Kempton meeting at the displayed odds of 5/1. Steve's response was 'I'm sorry sir I was just about to rub that one out ( talk