Harry Hibbs

Henry "Harry" Edward Hibbs (born May 27, 1906 in Wilnecote / Tamworth , † April 23, 1984 in Hatfield / Hertfordshire ) was an English football goalkeeper and between 1929 and 1936 completed 25 international matches for the English national team .

Hibbs learned to play football at the local clubs Wilnecote Holy Trinity and Tamworth Castle before he was hired in April 1924 at Birmingham FC as an amateur and only a month later as a professional.

He played 389 games in the First Division for Birmingham in the following years and became a national player for his country at the age of 23. He made his debut in a 6-0 win over Wales at Stamford Bridge and was England's first goalkeeper until 1936. He also took part in a trip abroad to South Africa and played three games in a selection of the Football League . In addition, Hibbs was later active for Bristol City .

Hibbs was officially bid farewell in 1940 with a charity match against Aston Villa , the first during World War II.

In August 1944, Hibbs was coach of FC Walsall and stayed there until he was replaced by Tony McPhee in June 1951. During this time, the club had two exceptionally good attacking players, Dave Massart and Duggie Lishman . Walsall lost in the Third Division South in 1946 the final at Stamford Bridge for promotion to the Second Division and was fifth in 1947 and third in 1948.

In February 1953, Hibbs returned as an active footballer and played until May 1954 at Havillands FC . He then got involved again in coaching and was in charge of the Ware Town club between 1960 and 1961 and Welwyn Garden City a year later until 1963 .

In 1984, shortly before his 78th birthday, Hibbs died in Hatfield.

Others

• Hibbs' cousin Harry Pearson was also an English goalkeeper and completed his only international match on April 9, 1932 in a 3-0 win over Scotland . Pearson's father, Hubert Pearson , was also called up once in the English selection, but could not play due to an injury.

Club stations

• 1925–1940 FC Birmingham / Bristol City (as a player)
• 1944–1951 FC Walsall (as coach)
• 1953–1954 Havillands FC (as a player)
• 1960–1961 Ware Town (as a trainer)
• 1962–1963 Welwyn Garden City (as a trainer)