New two-year deal for Hibbert

, 1 July, 45comments  |  Jump to most recent
Tony Hibbert is the latest player to extend his stay at Everton with the veteran full-back putting pen to paper on a two-year contract.

The 33-year-old's current deal expired yesterday and there was speculation linking him with a move to West Bromwich Albion where former Everton Academy Director, Alan Irvine, has taken the reins.

A one-club man, Hibbert looks likely to finish his playing career at Goodison, though, where his experience and mentoring influence on the Blues' younger players is seen as important by Roberto Martinez.  



Reader Comments (45)

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Tony J Williams
1 Posted 01/07/2014 at 21:11:37
Future defensive coach...
Pete Hughes
2 Posted 01/07/2014 at 21:17:03
One year would have sufficed. It’s a joke!
James Elworthy
3 Posted 01/07/2014 at 21:28:02
Let’s start signing a few new ones now everyone else is staying. Barry should’ve crawled to Goodison to sign on July 1.

It’s not helping Roberto being in Brazil, working for ESPN — he should be back home overseeing new signings.

Sean Kelly
4 Posted 01/07/2014 at 21:34:44
Agreed, Tony, new faces is what’s needed and, as much as I like Hibbo,at his age, a one-year deal is the norm.

By the way, I don’t think Barry should have a three-year deal. I can’t see anyone else giving him one.

Alastair Donaldson
5 Posted 01/07/2014 at 21:44:51
I suppose you can’t under-estimate the art of defending, these days it is a forgotten art. I can’t see him playing much again – so I hope he’s not on a million quid a year!!!
Patrick Murphy
6 Posted 01/07/2014 at 21:50:24
James - Roberto doesn’t have to sit in his office at Finch Farm to conclude transfers; much of the deal is not down to him anyway – it’s the board and the CEO who will do the negotiating and iron out the nitty gritty of any deals.
Mike Oates
7 Posted 01/07/2014 at 21:48:39
Martinez talked about 7 new players required for our coming season. I would have thought by now that we were well on the way in bringing in new players, particularly as pre-season starts in 3 weeks, and by the way were the hell is our pre-season.
We know we need at least 2 if not 3 forwards, a couple of midfielders, and a couple of defenders Roberto get back and get moving.
Lyndon Lloyd
8 Posted 01/07/2014 at 21:55:59
Two years is fine and it's not like he's on astronomical wages. This is as much about what he can offer the dressing room and our young players as it is about cover at right back.

He will likely take his coaching badges over the next couple of years and then stick around at Finch Farm long-term as part of Roberto's backroom staff.

Erik Dols
9 Posted 01/07/2014 at 22:14:28
It's time for a good old one from the Moyes-years: Tony Hibbert signing a new contract is like a whole new signing!
Jim Bennings
10 Posted 01/07/2014 at 23:03:50
Seems almost like a forgotten man nowadays, Tony Hibbert. I can't really recall the last time I saw Hibbert play in a match I've been at, to be honest. He has spent what seems like half a decade injured now and you wouldn't think he is the kind of player to fit in with the Martinez style of play.

Tony was very much the burning oil type of footballer during Moyes's tenure: limited abilities but wholehearted and always gives 100%.

That said, I would love it if he ever did manage to score... Wouldn't we all just riot!!?!?

Ant Dwyer
11 Posted 02/07/2014 at 01:23:48
Crazy one for me, this. Tony has been a great servant to us but since his illness he picked up a few years back on pre-season with the Blues, he’s never been fit. So, to give a back-up right-back £40,000 a week for 2 years is crazy.

With our wage budget, there’s no room for loyalty contracts; we have enough aging players as it is. We should have used this opportunity to wish Hibbo All the Best, then let him move on.

Ant Dwyer
12 Posted 02/07/2014 at 01:29:02
Can I also add, the deal given to Hibbo is surely a hindrance to any young Blue coming through! Would backup right-back not have been best saved for Tyias Browning who will still be receiving a wage – just not a massive one – and who has the potential to improve... unlike a 33-year-old.

Again, sorry, Tony, as you have been a great servant... but we have no money so we shouldn’t give away free loyalty contracts.

Kieran Kinsella
13 Posted 02/07/2014 at 03:35:46
I support the new deal. Realistically, the "new" players will probably be youth team promotions of guys like McAleny and Garbutt. Our "big money" signings will be Barry, and Traore on loan unless we cash in on Stones or someone.

As such, we need some wise old heads like Osman and Hibbert to guide the youngsters. Plus, would you rather have Barkley and Co being guided by one-club true blues or by journeymen mercenaries?

Peter Bell
14 Posted 02/07/2014 at 04:19:12
Just when you think things are looking up, this happens. Are there not better players out there worthy of this contract?

RM has gone down in the judgement stakes for me after this one.

John Daley
15 Posted 02/07/2014 at 06:15:46
Hibbert signing a new contract is a bit like getting slippers for Christmas again. Better than socks but you're only saying 'great, exactly what I wanted' because you don't want to come across as an ungrateful bastard.
Colin Glassar
16 Posted 02/07/2014 at 08:02:22
Agree with all the above sentiments. Love Hibbo but this is not the signing we are all waiting for. I imagine Elstone and Boys Pen Bill are still on their hols while the rest of football are getting back to work.
Kevin Gillen
17 Posted 02/07/2014 at 09:29:14
On the day that the reds take their spending to £40M, we announce a new deal for Hibbo – God, don’t you just love being an Evertonian!

I have faith in Martinez but I’m not sure if he is going to be able to pull another rabbit out of the hat with signings like Barry, Lukaku and Deulofeu on the last day of the transfer window again. We need a top striker and a central midfielder as a priority. I’d rather some of our kids had a go than bringing in some journeymen but we are reaching the 11th hour again.

Last year, we had to put up with Jelavic as our striker for the first few games; against WBA at home he gave away three fouls and four offsides in the first 70 minutes before being replaced, that’s a free kick every 10 minutes to the opposition.

Arguably the tepid draws in our first few games cost us a Champions League spot. Signing Hibbo is a no-brainer with the extra games in Europe, but I don’t enjoy transfer windows.

Mark Andersson
18 Posted 02/07/2014 at 10:34:21
I love the transfer windows, like Christmas in our house as a kid – no matter what we asked or wish for, we got what mum and dad could afford. What is the point in getting your knickers in a twist?

I predict a harder season. Man Utd will be better, so will all the other top 4 teams.

Steve Barnes
20 Posted 02/07/2014 at 11:08:08
On the whole, it's probably a good deal for us – not that I would expect us to use him much, but a solid voice in the squad is always useful.

Personally, I don't give a monkey's what the lot across the park do, but it does irk that we are yet to sign anyone and seem to leave it till the last possible moment when it's virtually impossible to fully integrate new players into the squad. It would be good to get new bods signed and in the door.

Richard Dodd
21 Posted 02/07/2014 at 11:28:23
I suspect it will be another two months before we see any meaningful signings – other than from Roberto's old club. But no need to despair: we already have a decent side available which will be reinforced by the inevitable Deadline Day loanees which our man will pull out of the hat.

Chuffed for Hibbo. Why should we begrudge him his right to another £10k-a-week contract? We need numbers for Thursday nights.

Tony Cheek
22 Posted 02/07/2014 at 11:49:02
Barcelona, eat your hearts out!
Brian Harrison
23 Posted 02/07/2014 at 11:51:55
I would prefer that RM was back here rather than working for ESPN, I could never imagine Ferguson or Mourhino working for a TV company while still managing.

I know he said a few weeks back that most of our business would be towards the end of the transfer window. Now is that to save paying players for July when they don't exactly start playing till mid-August? Or is it because our manager will still be working for ESPN till nearly the end of July?

Dan McKie
24 Posted 02/07/2014 at 12:04:32
Brian, it is so the deals can fall through at the eleventh hour with no time to conclude before the window shuts. "We tried though," they'll say.
Andrew Ellams
25 Posted 02/07/2014 at 12:06:48
Managers don’t do the negotiations, they earmark the potential signings and the money people get involved.
Shane Corcoran
26 Posted 02/07/2014 at 12:10:59
Ant #11, so Hibbo's on £40k a week? Does that include his goal bonus?
James Stewart
27 Posted 02/07/2014 at 12:15:16
As long as he never plays, I don't really mind. Part of the fabric of the club but an awful player.
Tony J Williams
28 Posted 02/07/2014 at 12:17:25
Nothing wrong with giving our best "defender" a two-year contract.

He will be used for the Europa League games and cup matches probably and if, God forbid, anything happens to Coleman, who is going to stand in? An untried youngster? Or Stones, who looked shite when played there?

Good bit of business in my eyes.

Jim Knightley
29 Posted 02/07/2014 at 12:35:44
Where has £40k come from? He surely cannot be on that much?

A two-year contract, for someone who has played seven Premier League games in the last two seasons, is absurd. We could have got a top Championship defender, or lesser Prem defender (Simpson or Ridgewell? – wasn't he on a free?) for next to nothing, who could have been a better stand-in at a younger age.

I liked Hibbert, but he is 33 now, is limited, and has barely featured of late. He should have been given a one-year deal, or we should have let him go.

I think the lack of transfers in a World Cup year is usual, but Martinez's job for ESPN is a little frustrating despite the World Cup context. His interactions with the Dutch squad suggest he is doing some World Cup scouting at least (or was).

I'm personally hanging on to an optimistic theory: We are waiting for Belgium to get eliminated so we can work out a deal for Lukaku, or at the very least, waiting to see if he will be available once the World Cup has finished.

If we do not spend £30-40mil this summer, it will go down for me as one of the biggest BK letdowns. We will receive around £30mil extra in TV money, have made a massive profit on transfer dealings, and have cut wages and trimmed the squad admirably. BK has been poor for us of late but, even with our financial issues, we can afford a good outlay this summer, and deserve it as well.

Tony J Williams
30 Posted 02/07/2014 at 12:53:23
Might actually be a ploy to get some money when we sell him to West Brom at the end of the window or in January?
Neil Roberts
31 Posted 02/07/2014 at 12:58:30
I just don't get it – a 2-year contract and he will play a handful of games...

We needed to shake his hand and lead him to the door.

Colin Williams
32 Posted 02/07/2014 at 13:15:31
2 years! Poor decision by Robbie.
Alex Vigil
33 Posted 02/07/2014 at 13:26:42
I give my full support for this new deal. We need both depth and experience this season to compete in both league and cups.

Imagine a Europa League fixture against average opposition with a defensive line consisting of Garbutt on the left, Browning and Stones in the middle, and a seasoned Hibbo on the right. Looking forward to it!

And to those criticising Roberto's presence at the World Cup, do you really think he would sacrifice the possibility of future success at Everton for few weeks of work/holiday in Brazil? I don't see any problem at all with his engagement. He will still be able to work, and scout, for us while he's there.

We have a case in the PL where a club's manager is not only at the World Cup, but in fact managing one of the teams. And they still make signings. Martinez could do the same if he wanted to. A bigger obstacle is that lots of players and agents are holding out until after the competition, hoping for a boost to transfer value and wages.

Denis Richardson
34 Posted 02/07/2014 at 17:03:34
I guess we don’t know the terms but being the Premier League, I’m guessing he’ll be on at least £20-30k a week. As much as I appreciate what Hibbo has done for Everton, I am surprised that we would give him a two-year deal. He’s 33 and more importantly has hardly played for the club recently and is 3rd choice RB behind Coleman and Stones.

So, over the next 2 years, we’ll pay out £2-3M for a 3rd choice RB who’ll hardly play – not too impressed with that at all. Surely a one-year deal with an option for one more would have been better.

If he was actually going to play regularly then it wouldn’t be an issue. We’re far too soft when it comes to old players, the likes of Weir, Stubbs, Cahill, Saha etc all kept on well past their sell-by dates.

(Before people go on about extra games in the Europa League, there are only 6 extra games to play until the end of February – hardly a massive extra load.)

Wayne Smyth
35 Posted 02/07/2014 at 17:31:47
I would agree Denis.

Only thing we don't know about is the non-playing influence he has at the club, for example during training. If he genuinely adds value to our young players, then I'd say its worth it. Otherwise, I think a poor decision.

Rob Newling
37 Posted 03/07/2014 at 04:50:11
I'm pretty sure he'll be pushed up into the vacant striker's role.

It should be a riot of a season!

Rob Baker
38 Posted 03/07/2014 at 12:12:39
I was a bit gobsmacked at a 2-year deal too. If he is to be a coach, then get him in as a coach, not on a player contract as I doubt he'll don a blue shirt again. He is well down the pecking order and sadly not really in the mould that RM is asking for these days.
Eric Myles
39 Posted 03/07/2014 at 18:39:57
Looking forward to seeing him run out on the pitch in Bangkok in a few weeks time.
Paul Andrews
40 Posted 03/07/2014 at 18:52:45
Rob 38,

All due respect mate.

If Hibbert is not in the mould RM is looking for,who do you think made the decision to give him the 2 year contract?

Rob Baker
41 Posted 03/07/2014 at 18:58:04
I think it must be a loyalty contract with a view to moving into the coaching set up as you can't seriously see Hibbo getting much game time can you?
Paul Andrews
42 Posted 03/07/2014 at 19:04:52
Not unless Seamus is rested or injured.
Roberto has give him the two year player contract though.Not two year coaching contract,so he must be the backup to Seamus
Pete Edwards
43 Posted 03/07/2014 at 19:18:27
@17 how the hell are we reaching the 11th hour?? The last I heard the transfer window only opened on the 1st July!! I would rather wait a bit than waste £25M on an average player.
Liam Reilly
44 Posted 03/07/2014 at 23:38:30
Good deal; he'll do well leading the youngsters in Europe and it's rare players see out their final contracts.

I suspect he'll be with us for one more season due to the volume of games (hopefully) ahead this season.

Mike Corcoran
45 Posted 04/07/2014 at 00:28:23
Tony Hibbert is a true blue, an excellent defender, and a great influence to the younger players. He'll be worth it mark my words in ways the average fly by night supporter can not comprehend. One of the best tacklers I've seen in 40-odd years as a Blue.

Surely some wisdom there to be handed down to the youngsters, and I'm pretty sure Seamus would be first to celebrate his influence. For that alone, long may he be around.

Mike Gaynes
47 Posted 04/07/2014 at 01:35:10
If he couldn't still play, Roberto wouldn't have signed him. Simple as that.
Tim Greeley
48 Posted 04/07/2014 at 01:40:50
Hot Euro Nights with Tony Hibbert.

Sign Gareth Barry too.


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