Mike Gibson signs off

Veteran sports presenter Mike “Gibbo” Gibson last night told FOX Sports viewers he was ending his marathon run on The Back Page.

Gibson began presenting the magazine show in 1997 and chalks up 720 episodes.

“I’ve only ever missed one show and it was because of a crook back. I couldn’t straighten up and would have had to host the show from the floor,” he said.

“What I love about the show is that it is one of the few sports shows in the country that covers all sports. People have come up to me in restaurants and coffee shops and told me The Back Page is part of their life, part of their weekly routine, which is a great compliment.”

“Billy is an absolute genius,” he said of sidekick Billy Birmingham.

“I will always remember some of the legendary exchanges between Peter Fitzsimons and the late Peter Frilingos in the early years, it was very funny stuff.

“Aussies treat sport seriously, but you’ve got to remember it’s not World War Three. We’ve looked at sport as a whole lot of fun. For a little show that I thought might last a couple of years, I’ve got to say, it’s been a heck of a ride,” he said.

FOX Sports CEO, Patrick Delany, paid tribute saying, “Mike’s incredible knowledge and passion for sport has been the backbone of the show since it began in the formative years of FOX Sports. The Back Page is an institution of FOX Sports and Mike can certainly feel proud of his role in the success of the show over 16 years.”