 Gibbins stayed until March 1988 with Newport's relegation from the Football League almost confirmed, joining Torquay United on a free transfer having played 79 games and scored 8 goals for Newport.He was signed to aid Torquay's push for what would have been a surprising promotion given the turmoil and near relegation of the previous season, but in the end Torquay failed to secure automatic promotion and fell in the first leg of the play-offs.Midway through the following season, in January 1989, Gibbins returned to Newport County for £10,000, after scoring 5 times in 33 games for the Gulls.