Born in Manchester in 1943, he started out on local newspapers in Lancashire, before working as a staff reporter for the Daily Mirror.
He then gained employment as a newscaster for Southern TV in Southampton, before becoming a Liverpool-based BBC correspondent.
Gubba presented the BBC's Sportsnight programme from 1973-78 before moving on to commentate on a range of sports, including cycling, ice skating, table tennis, squash and bobsleigh.
But the veteran broadcaster is perhaps best-known for football commentary as a resident on Match of the Day.
He has covered every World Cup finals since 1974. His experience was tested to the core in 1998 when the entire Romanian side dyed their hair blond before their final group game against Tunisia.
As a football fan and commentater he lists witnessing George Best's debut at Manchester United and Michael Owen's at Liverpool as highlights.
A keen fly fisherman, Gubba also enjoys watching golf and football.