During the official opening of the new CCB Sports Centre on the 25th November, Headmaster Jonathan Anderson was honoured to accept the cap from Mike Gibson's first tour with the British and Irish Lions in 1966. The cap is on loan to the College and will be displayed outside the CMH Gibson Sports Hall by the Old Campbellian Society, to inspire current and future Campbellians. We are grateful to Mike and the Gibson family for their thoughtfulness and generosity.  

Mike’s long and illustrious rugby career started here at Campbell College, and went on to include the University of Cambridge, Ireland, the British and Irish Lions and the Barbarians. He played for the Lions on five tours (1966, 1968, 1971, 1974, and 1977), appearing in 68 games and 12 Tests. His five tours are a record he shares with Willie John McBride. 

• Tours: Part of five Lions tours: 1966 (to Australia and New Zealand), 1968 (to South Africa), 1971 (to New Zealand), 1974 (to South Africa), and 1977 (to New Zealand).
• Total games: Made 68 appearances for the Lions across these tours.
• Test caps: Earned 12 Test caps during his Lions career, with a particularly significant role in the historic 1971 tour where the Lions won the Test series against the All Blacks. 

Mike has been the recipient of many accolades over the years, including:

World Rugby Hall of Fame: 'A mesmeric runner with ball in hand and a fine all-round footballer, Mike Gibson was the most capped player in the world – 69 for Ireland and 12 for the British and Irish Lions – when he retired in 1979 after a 15-year international career.

Irrespective of whether he played centre or fly-half, Gibson’s awareness on the field of play meant he had the capacity to regularly outwit the opposition. The Northern Irishman captained his country in five tests and toured with the Lions on five occasions, including the all-conquering trips to New Zealand in 1971 and South Africa in 1974. He also made nine appearances for the Barbarians.

A one-club man, Gibson played 22 seasons for Belfast-based North of Ireland FC and 16 seasons for Ulster. While at Cambridge University, he also featured in three Varsity matches, winning the first, in 1963.'

Brian O'Driscoll: 'At times when Irish rugby wasn't successful Mike was always the shining light. He played international rugby for 15 years and that speaks volumes about him. He was a magnificent player and a true ambassador for the game.'

Syd Millar: 'One of the finest players of his generation, one of the finest players ever to represent Ireland and the British & Irish Lions and a man who epitomised the very ethos of the Game and its values.'

Please see the gallery below for more photos of the presentation.