{{short description|English footballer}} {{use British English|date=February 2019}} {{use dmy dates|date=February 2019}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Gavin Geddes | image = | caption = | fullname = Gavin John Geddes<ref name=Hugman/> | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1972|10|7|df=y}}<ref name=Hugman/> | birth_place = Hove,<ref name=Hugman/> England | height = {{height|ft=5|in=10}}<ref name=CarderHarris/> | position = Winger | youthyears1 = | youthclubs1 = Hove Park Colts | youthyears2 = | youthclubs2 = Adur Athletic | youthyears3 = | youthclubs3 = Saltdean Tigers | years1 = | clubs1 = Lewes | years2 = | clubs2 = Shoreham | years3 = 199?–1993 | clubs3 = Wick | years4 = 1993–1994 | clubs4 = Brighton & Hove Albion |caps4=12 |goals4=1 | years5 = 1994–1997 | clubs5 = Crawley Town<ref>{{Cite web | title=CTFC History: All season summary | url=http://www.ctfchistory.co.uk/stats/season_summary.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230528114636/http://www.ctfchistory.co.uk/stats/season_summary.html | access-date=2026-03-21 | archive-date=2023-05-28}}</ref> |caps5=72 |goals5=14 | years6 =199?-1999 | clubs6 = Burgess Hill Town | years7 =1999-2001 | clubs7 = Horsham | years8 =2001 |clubs8 =Worthing | years9 =2001 | clubs9 = Eastbourne Borough | years10 =2001-2002 |clubs10 = Worthing | years11 = 2002-2003 |clubs11= Horsham | years12 =2003-2004 |clubs12= Worthing | years13 =2004-2005 |clubs13= Horsham | years14 = 2005 | clubs14 = Whitehawk |caps14=4 |goals14=1 | years15 = 2005-2007 |clubs15= Worthing United | years16 = 2008| clubs16 = Horsham | years17 = 2008 |clubs17 = Worthing United |years18 = | clubs18 = Saltdean United | years19 = | clubs19 = Sutton United | years20 = | clubs20= Ashford Town (Middlesex) | years21 = 2009| clubs21 =Burgess Hill Town | years22 = 2009-2010| clubs22= Horsham YMCA<ref>https://www.horshamymfc.co.uk/matchesplayed/1022/294?fplyShowAll=true&fdfaShowAll=true&frt=rescomp</ref> |caps22=22|goals22=4 }}
'''Gavin John Geddes''' (born 7 October 1972) is an English former professional footballer who played as a winger in the Football League for Brighton & Hove Albion.<ref name=Hugman>{{Hugman|9018|accessdate=4 February 2019}}</ref><ref name=CarderHarris>{{cite book |first1=Tim |last1=Carder |first2=Roger |last2=Harris |title=Albion A–Z: A Who's Who of Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. |publisher=Goldstone Books |location=Hove |date=1997 |page=93 |isbn=978-0-9521337-1-1}}</ref>
==Early professional career==
The Brighton Argus hailed his fairy tail rise from Lewes reserves in 1991 to the Albion first team just two years later.<ref>The fairy tale rise of Gavin Geddes, Brighton Argus Sport Seagull Scene, by John Vinnicombe and Andy Naylor, 18 November 1993</ref> Geddes was signed on 1 July 1993 by manager Barry Lloyd for Brighton & Hove Albion after appearing at the Goldstone Ground in a Sussex Senior Cup win for Wick. Under new manager Liam Brady he left the club exactly a year later after 15 league and cup appearances.<ref name="theargus.co.uk">{{Cite web | title=Geddes still living the dream {{!}} The Argus | url=https://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/sportsnews/967720.geddes-still-living-the-dream/ | access-date=2026-03-21 | website=www.theargus.co.uk}}</ref>{{citation needed|date=August 2025}} He scored twice, once against Reading in the FL Trophy and also against Wrexham in the league.
==Career in non-league football==
Geddes also played non-league football for a variety of clubs, mainly in Sussex.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.enfa.co.uk/playersearch.php |title=Player search |publisher=English National Football Archive |accessdate=4 February 2019}}</ref> He totalled 75 goals in 135 league and cup games for Horsham across four spells, 43 goals in 73 league and cup games for Burgess Hill Town in two spells and 16 goals in 84 appearances for Crawley Town.<ref>Sussex Senior Football, The Players Who Made Local Football, by Kevin Keehan 2022</ref>
In September 1998 and February 1999 he was playing for Burgess Hill Town, including appearing in the semi-final of the Sussex Senior Cup.<ref>https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/sport/football/burgess-hill-town-nostalgia-pictures-from-the-past-213244</ref> <ref name="yourlocalguardian.co.uk">{{Cite web | title=Burgess Hill Town 1 Kingstonian 2 {{!}} Your Local Guardian | url=https://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/sport/nonleague/4288596.burgess-hill-town-1-kingstonian-2/ | access-date=2026-03-21 | website=www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk}}</ref>
In January 2000, while playing for Horsham Geddes scored for a Sussex representative side against the Navy.<ref>{{Cite web | title=Goal-hungry Sussex sink The Navy {{!}} The Argus | url=https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/6797265.goal-hungry-sussex-sink-the-navy/ | access-date=2026-03-21 | website=www.theargus.co.uk}}</ref>
In February 2001 he scored a hat trick in a 4-0 win for Horsham in Ryman League Division 2 amid speculation it could be his last game for the club, with a move to Lewes rumoured.<ref>https://www.horshamfc.co.uk/matches/2000-01/2266/cheshunt/</ref>
In August 2001, Geddes signed for Worthing.<ref>{{Cite web | title=Ryman League: Hitmen bidding to revive the big two {{!}} The Argus | url=https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/6775315.amp/ | access-date=2026-03-21 | website=www.theargus.co.uk}}</ref> In December 2001 he re-joined Worthing after a two week spell at Eastbourne Borough,<ref>{{Cite web | title=Gav's quick departure surprises Borough {{!}} The Argus | url=https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/6768849.gavs-quick-departure-surprises-borough/ | access-date=2026-03-21 | website=www.theargus.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | title=Gav tops for Wilson at Borough {{!}} The Argus | url=https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/5139915.gav-tops-for-wilson-at-borough/ | access-date=2026-03-21 | website=www.theargus.co.uk}}</ref> being re-signed by new caretaker manager Barry Lloyd, who had earlier brought him to the Albion. At the time he was the second highest goal scorer in Ryman League South.<ref>{{Cite web | title=Geddes set sights on a leading role {{!}} The Argus | url=https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/6768847.geddes-set-sights-on-a-leading-role/ | access-date=2026-03-21 | website=www.theargus.co.uk}}</ref> In March 2002 he was still playing for Worthing, despite being told by the manager he could speak to other clubs.<ref>{{Cite web | title=Football: Baxter quits Worthing {{!}} The Argus | url=https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/5134258.football-baxter-quits-worthing/ | access-date=2026-03-21 | website=www.theargus.co.uk}}</ref>
In September 2002 he had returned to Horsham, scoring against his former club in a West Sussex derby.<ref>{{Cite web | title=Ryman League: Honours even in derby thriller {{!}} The Argus | url=https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/6751519.ryman-league-honours-even-in-derby-thriller/ | access-date=2026-03-21 | website=www.theargus.co.uk}}</ref> In February 2003 while playing for Horsham in a game against Tooting & Mitcham United, he was involved in an altercation with visiting fans after scoring a disputed goal.<ref>https://www.horshamfc.co.uk/matches/2002-03/2372/tooting-mitcham-united/</ref> In September and December 2003 he was back playing at Worthing.<ref>{{Cite web | title=FA Cup: Heybridge 3 Worthing 3 {{!}} The Argus | url=https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/6726962.fa-cup-heybridge-3-worthing-3/ | access-date=2026-03-21 | website=www.theargus.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | title=Football: Non-League Round-up {{!}} The Argus | url=https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/6722275.football-non-league-round-up/ | access-date=2026-03-21 | website=www.theargus.co.uk}}</ref>
In August 2004 Geddes re-signed for Horsham from Worthing.<ref>https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/sport/it-will-be-the-toughest-pook-1297438</ref>
Geddes began the 2005-2006 season at Whitehawk, playing in the number 9 shirt for his old Albion colleague Ian Chapman<ref>Whitehawk v Redhill, Matchday Programme, 13 August 2005</ref> and scoring in his first two games.<ref>Whitehawk v Worthing United, Matchday Programme, 5 November 2005</ref> After making just five league and cup appearances, he moved to Worthing United.<ref>{{Cite web | title=County League: Geddes gives his new club a big lift {{!}} The Argus | url=https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/6806797.county-league-geddes-gives-his-new-club-a-big-lift/ | access-date=2026-03-21 | website=www.theargus.co.uk}}</ref>
In October 2006 he was involved in a scoring FA Cup run while playing for Sussex County League side Worthing United, who reached the third qualifying round with a game against Maidenhead United. The Brighton Argus listed his former clubs as Lewes, Shoreham, Wick, Crawley Town, Worthing, Saltdean United and Horsham.<ref name="theargus.co.uk"/>
Geddes finished the 2007 season with 23 goals in 29 games for Worthing United.<ref>https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/sport/storrington-go-safe-from-relegation-on-last-day-1293853</ref>
He re-signed for Worthing United in November 2008,<ref>https://hassocksfc.net/2008/11/report-hassocks-3-0-worthing-united-15-11-08/</ref> after playing his last game for Horsham against Tonbridge Angels on 4 October.<ref>https://www.horshamfc.co.uk/players/gavin-geddes/</ref>
In March 2009 Geddes was back playing at Burgess Hill Town<ref>{{Cite web | title=Burgess Hill Town 0 Corinthian Casuals 0 {{!}} Watford Observer | url=https://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/news/4225958.vital-point-casuals-survival-fight/ | access-date=2026-03-21 | website=www.watfordobserver.co.uk}}</ref> and was sent off at home to Kingstonian the following month.<ref name="yourlocalguardian.co.uk"/>
In October 2009 he joined Horsham YMCA from Burgess Hill Town<ref>{{Cite web | title=Corinthian-Casuals 2-1 Horsham YM - All Matches - Horsham YM Football Club | url=https://www.horshamymfc.co.uk/match/1022/456?sort=srt&order=asc&fsea=all&frt=all&offset=4 | access-date=2026-03-21 | website=www.horshamymfc.co.uk}}</ref> and in December scored a hat-trick after coming off the bench in a 9-0 win over Eastbourne Town in Ryman Division 1.<ref>{{Cite web| title=League News - Barry Simmons | url=https://www.thedarts.eu/ryman0910/bulletin21.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201230074447/http://www.thedarts.eu/ryman0910/bulletin21.pdf | archive-date=2020-12-30}}</ref>
==Personal life==
Geddes was jailed in February 2019 at Lewes Crown Court for 40 months over allegations of child sex abuse and demands for money he had made to a former football coach, then 87 years-of-age.<ref>{{Cite web | title=Gavin Geddes blackmailed ex-coach over fake child sex claims {{!}} The Argus | url=https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/17405658.gavin-geddes-blackmailed-ex-coach-fake-child-sex-claims/ | access-date=2026-03-21 | website=www.theargus.co.uk}}</ref>
In May 2019 Geddes complained to the Independent Press Standards Association over coverage of his case by the Brighton Argus. The adjudication, published in January 2020, did not uphold the complaint.<ref>{{Cite web | title=03755-19 Geddes v The Argus (Brighton) - IPSO | url=https://www.ipso.co.uk/rulings/03755-19/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240721002320/https://www.ipso.co.uk/rulings/03755-19/ | access-date=2026-03-21 | archive-date=2024-07-21}}</ref>
At the time of being arrested in 2017, Geddes was working as a delivery driver.<ref>{{Cite web | title=Former Brighton and Hove Albion footballer jailed for fake sex abuse blackmail plot – Brighton and Hove News | url=https://www.brightonandhovenews.org/2019/02/06/former-brighton-and-hove-albion-footballer-jailed-for-fake-sex-abuse-blackmail-plot/ | access-date=2026-03-21 | website=www.brightonandhovenews.org}}</ref>
While in prison, Geddes wrote a screenplay 'An Evening with Neville Heath' and subsequently an autobiography 'Soundtrack to a Life: The Gavin Geddes Story' which he is hoping to have published.<ref>{{Cite web | title=Meet Gavin Geddes – An Author! – jrlewis85's Blog | url=https://jrlewisauthor.blog/2022/06/18/meet-gavin-geddes-an-author/ | access-date=2026-03-21 | website=jrlewisauthor.blog}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Geddes, Gavin}} Category:1972 births Category:Living people Category:Sportspeople from Hove Category:English men's footballers Category:Men's association football wingers Category:Lewes F.C. players Category:Shoreham F.C. players Category:Wick F.C. players Category:Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. players Category:Crawley Town F.C. players Category:Saltdean United F.C. players Category:Worthing F.C. players Category:Horsham F.C. players Category:Horsham YMCA F.C. players Category:Sutton United F.C. players Category:Burgess Hill Town F.C. players Category:Dorking F.C. players Category:Eastbourne Borough F.C. players Category:Ashford Town (Middlesex) F.C. players Category:Whitehawk F.C. players Category:English Football League players