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Tony Hibbert: A True Professional

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Pandemonium followed.

Initially, the goal was met with an ear-splitting cheer. Furthermore, remembering the famous riot-inducing saying, fans inGwladys Street comically streamed on to the turf whilst Hibbert was smothered by his congratulatory team mates. Surprised in to acting, stewards helplessly attempted to control the thousands who were thoroughly enjoying themselves, seizing the once in a lifetime opportunity. 

Hibbert later revealed that, yes, getting his name on the score sheet had been first and foremost on his mind.

Despite the humorous side of the testimonial match, it genuinely was commissioned to celebrate Tony Hibbert’s service, passion and performances for his club. A friend to many given his time at (Wayne Rooney in fact requested to play for the Blues on Wednesday, however Manchester United’s friendly with Barcelona on the same evening meant he was unable to do so), a popular ever-present for the fans to admire, a player who Howard Kendall described as being ‘up there with the best professionals’ and the man who is the only remaining player at the club from when Moyes took over in 2002 certainly deserved to be recognised.

David Moyes praised his outstanding ability to tackle; which, in his words, as a former centre-half himself, is a ‘dying art’. Steve Round, the assistant coach, described him as a defender who ‘takes no prisoners’ whilst Alan Stubbs, who now works at the club, tagged him as ‘Mr. Reliable’.

He is hardly what many would depict as the ‘modern full-back’ due to his caution going forward and lack of goals; nevertheless, only top-class players play in over 300 matches for a Premier League club (remember his ability to be interchangeable, too; against Manchester City last season, he played as an emergency centre-back, keeping a clean sheet as Everton won 1-0), win plaudits in the way he has done, hold more European appearances (20) than any other, and play in more Premier League Merseyside derbies than any other Everton player (17) and be one of only two orthodox full-backs to make more than 300 appearances for the Toffees in the post-war era.

To anybody who sees Tony Hibbert as nothing special, his testimonial brought to light just how unique and admired he actually is by those who know him best.

In the same week in which PSG bought an unproven teenager for €45m on €250,000 per-week wages, one local-born, quiet, hard working man who has spent over 11 years at one club avoiding the spotlight, later donating half of his testimonial benefit to children’s charities, commended and represented the true meaning of being a professional footballer.

Tony Hibbert, we salute you.

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