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Hibbert looking forward to testimonial

Michael Kenrick , 7 August, 31comments  |  Jump to most recent
Everton v AEK Athens, Wednesday 8 August, 7:45 pm
Playing for Everton is more than just a career for Tony Hibbert — it is a way of life. The 31-year-old full-back from Huyton grew up from a boy to a man with the Blues, progressing through the youth set-up to become a first team player with more than 300 games under his belt. Tomorrow, Hibbert's loyalty — perhaps devotion would be a better word in this case — is rewarded with a testimonial game, in the form of Everton's pre-season friendly against AEK Athens at Goodison. He is sharing the proceeds with local charities.

Looking back on a working life focused towards one aim, Hibbert said: “I have always thought about getting into the first team and playing as many games as I could. It is frightening when you look back, the time has flown by.”

Hibbert was aged 10 when he made the progression from being an Everton fan in a family of Evertonians to pulling on a club shirt.

“I have grown up at Everton,” Hibbert said. “I guess I have stayed here so long because of the club being what it is.

“My family had a big say in it. It's just a family-based club. I wouldn't say there was an individual person, it's the whole club.”

Hibbert made his debut against West Ham in 2001 and spent most of his time as a professional working under manager David Moyes, averaging around 30 games a season over the period.

“The manager has stuck by me for the 10 years that he has been here,” Hibbert said. “You see a lot of people come and go.

“Also the fans have been absolutely brilliant. I think over the years, the support they have given us and me as a person, I couldn't ask for more.

“I think with Everton, the supporters are up there with the best of teams by far, home and away. They are different class.”

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“The club has changed a lot, everything about the football side, the training, the facilities, developing the players and the football itself — it's all changed.

“The way you prepare yourself and go into games is different. What is available for you as a player wasn't available and wasn't even thought about in those days.”

Not that Hibbert reckons his own approach has altered so much over the years.

“I don't think I've changed much as a player,” he added. “I like a tackle and I think that's what I've kept — that and just giving 100 per cent.

Hibbert's commitment to the Everton cause is such that Phil Neville cannot imagine him playing for another club.

“You can't envisage him wearing another shirt, he's Everton through and through,” Neville said.

The former England and Manchester United defender reckons Hibbert's true emotions about Everton come to the fore in derby week.

“He just comes alive,” Neville said. “From being a quite quiet lad, who does join in the with the banter but he's quite reserved, he comes alive.

“He leads from the front and he lets people know, particularly the foreign players, what it means to be an Everton player playing against Liverpool and what it means to the fans.

“He's probably the best out-and-out defender we've got.

“When people think of the great teams that have been built here over the last 10 years and some of the great performances, Tony Hibbert has always been in the starting 11.

“It's a tremendous achievement and I hope the fans come along and support him.”

Quotes or other material sourced from Liverpool Echo

Reader Comments (31)

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Sean Roe
1 Posted 07/08/2012 at 16:03:35
Good solid defender, not a wing-back which appears to be what the modern game requires, but a good old-fashioned full-back.
John House
2 Posted 07/08/2012 at 16:05:01
Hibbo's lived the dream. Played for Everton and made a mint too. And I can't really say it's not deserved either. Fair play. Enjoy your day.
Tony J Williams
3 Posted 07/08/2012 at 16:45:12
"He's probably the best out-and-out defender we've got" - Amen to that...it's a pity he can't get forward like Baines.
Michael Kenrick
Editorial Team
4 Posted 07/08/2012 at 17:19:55
When I read this about Hibbo not getting forward, I can't banish some repeated multiple images of a bloke in a blue shirt (No 2) getting down the right wing and swinging in a few decent crosses that are converted into goals...

Ooo look!!!

Everton Goalmakers, 2011-12

Hibbert... FOUR; Baines... only three. Damn — must be some mistake in our stats.

I'll get on it right away...

Mike Powell
5 Posted 07/08/2012 at 17:55:01
Ha ha, like it Michael.

I got to admit I am not one off his biggest fans but he is still the best right back we have got. So what do we do? Drop him because he does not get forward enough and put some one in who is not as good at defending as him???
Bobby Thomas
6 Posted 07/08/2012 at 18:03:29
The Huyton Cafu
Jeff Beaumont
7 Posted 07/08/2012 at 18:48:58
True Blue - well done lad
Gerry Quinn
8 Posted 07/08/2012 at 19:48:05
I noticed that Jags has only made 2 goals - a lot to be said for booting it up the field then, lad.
Gerry Quinn
9 Posted 07/08/2012 at 19:50:36
Good on you, Hibbo, true blue and thoroughly deserves as many fans turn up as possible. No greed, even now in his Testimonial – just an honest down to earth Pro, who continues to love being an Evertonian, and most certainly a dying breed in the money-grabbing EPL. Get your arses to Goodison boys and girls – he and his charities are worth every effort.
Mick Gallagher
10 Posted 07/08/2012 at 20:27:01
Back to work in Aberdeen tomorrow will miss the game. Hopefully it's not his first goal or will the tannoy blast I predict a riot.
Thor Sørensen
11 Posted 07/08/2012 at 20:38:13
Well, it's also a pity Baines can't defend like Hibbert.Tony Hibbert is an IMMENSE defender, whereas Baines couldn't stop a cross to save his life.

Tony Hibbert loves Everton, he's one of us, that's why I love seing him play for Everton.

Mick Davies
12 Posted 07/08/2012 at 21:06:40
Loyal? Only because no one else would have him. Defender? You lot must watch a different game; he's lost us at least 3 derbies in his time. Time spent making money that a decent RB could have been earning.

Alan Hutton is up for grabs, a strong and pacy wing back, international and tough as old boots: which Herbert isn't fit to lace. He's only 27 and would cost somewhere around the fee we got for Yobo. Just imagine our right side being as strong and creative as the left?

The again, Herbert's one of our own, like BK so let's not go rocking the boat.
David Barks
13 Posted 07/08/2012 at 21:25:56
Mick,

That's just pathetic as well as extremely ignorant. Alan fucking Hutton, are you joking? Hutton would make the right as strong as the left, saying he's as good as Baines? My God, that puts every opinion you have about the game about as valuable as my dog's. Thanks, I'll ignore your posts from here on out.

Brian Waring
14 Posted 07/08/2012 at 21:32:19
Yes Mick, Alan Hutton who couldn't make the grade at Spurs, and was told by Lambert that he can leave Villa, because he is not in his plans for this season.
Brian Waring
15 Posted 07/08/2012 at 21:35:25
Also Mick, Hibbert may not be the best going forward, but defensively, he is one of the best in the prem.
Jay Harris
16 Posted 07/08/2012 at 21:34:39
Mick you lost all credibility when you inferred Alan Hutton is better than Hibbo.

Hibbo might not be an Alex Parker but he is a good honest pro and a great defender.

Always willing the team on and never complaining about where he plays or if he plays at all.He is one for all and all for one.

That is the character that enables EFC to beat better quality teams

David Graves
17 Posted 07/08/2012 at 21:46:47
So Tony is "sharing" the proceeds with local charities. Personally I'd be more inclined to support his testimonial if all the proceeds were going to charity.
Mark Lennon
18 Posted 07/08/2012 at 21:48:29
Alan 'the yard dog' Hutton?? Pffft!
Terry White
19 Posted 07/08/2012 at 21:54:29
Alex Parker – there was a classy right back. Followed by Tommy Wright and Gary Stevens, in that order, IMHO.
Andrew Lawrenson
20 Posted 07/08/2012 at 22:40:23
Mick...248...are you pissed?
Danny O'Neill
21 Posted 07/08/2012 at 22:53:14
Whatever your opinion on Hibbert, and he's been the scapecoat for many on here, the lad deserves his night. In an era where the stereotype English Premier League footballer is quite frankly vermin, he reinstalls old-fashioned values (I'm not even old... in my own head!!) and demonstrates how fame and fortune can be balanced with humility and respect.

Loyalty to Everton – I don't buy the argument no-one else would have him – and in his own right, a great defender. Yes, in the era of Ashley Cole type full/wing backs, he is probably a generation behind his time but the proof is in the pudding; over 300 appearances in a team that has averaged out as a top 6/7 team, simultaneously earning the respect of all professionals around him. How sad that some of his own will never show that because they think they can do better.

Have a great night Tony and more importantly, a great season. No crosses needed next season, just some low cut backs for Jelavic to sweep into the net!

Taxi for Mick by the way. Alan Hutton... please!

Chad Schofield
22 Posted 08/08/2012 at 03:06:30
Fantastic achievement from a true pro. I hope it's a great evening and there's a number of teed up 30-yard opportunities for him.
Ciarán McGlone
23 Posted 08/08/2012 at 09:18:13
This is one match I would break my imposed absence from Goodison to attend... I'm gutted I can't.

A classic scapegoat for those who don't really understand the game.

Christine Foster
24 Posted 08/08/2012 at 10:49:35
Well, here l am in Liverpool for too short a visit, looking forward to going to Goodison tonight, hope its a good one all round and Tony H has a well deserved testimonial, for me its an opportunity to drink from the fountain of life once more!
Dave White
25 Posted 08/08/2012 at 13:47:29
I think Hibbo is actually playing his best football these days, I have always lamented right back as our weakest position during the Moyes era, but anyone who's watched Hibbo over the last few years will have seen how he has worked hard to add the 'wing back' dimension to his game.

Obviously he's not the crosser Baines is but the quality of his delivery, and even the fact that he's up as far as the opposition box banging in crosses at all, is testament to the changes he's made.

I still uphold my promise to streak from the Gwladys St if the fucker ever scores!

Si Cooper
26 Posted 08/08/2012 at 14:42:37
That should dampen down the cries of 'Shoooot!' whenever he gets the ball in the opposition's half, Dave!
Jalil Noor
27 Posted 08/08/2012 at 16:03:53
You lads reckon there will be a link to the game tonight?
Jay Harris
28 Posted 08/08/2012 at 17:10:44
Is it on EvertonTV?
Wayne Smyth
29 Posted 08/08/2012 at 17:38:47
I suspect not, Jay. It's a shame as I'm unable to get to tonight's game and would've been happy to pay a few quid to watch it.

I'm not sure that a crappy feed would prevent those who can attend from doing so, so I don't really understand the rationale behind not broadcasting it.

Mark Riding
30 Posted 08/08/2012 at 17:42:15
Same here Wayne, would have stumped up a few quid (even though the Evertontv has been shocking pre-season).
Peter Thistle
31 Posted 08/08/2012 at 18:20:28
I notice there's a link available on http://www.thefirstrow.eu/ for those who can't attend tonight.

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