Royal Blue: Testimonial for Tony Hibbert should wait until he has hung-up his boots

Jan 21 2012 by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo

ONLY a minority of curmudgeons among the Goodison faithful could argue that Tony Hibbert, and Leon Osman for that matter, do not deserve extra credit for their enduring loyalty to Everton.

The pair have 20 years combined experience at the club, (the word ‘service’ in relation to any well paid-professional always sits uneasily), and have been alike in their professional approach and complete commitment to the cause over the years despite not always receiving the universal backing of all supporters.

But suggestions this week that Everton are considering a testimonial for Hibbert in the summer should rightly be treated with a degree of puzzlement.

Firstly, Hibbert is only 30 and still very much an important part of David Moyes’ first team.

Granted, Jamie Carragher was given a testimonial across the park some time ago, but that was largely a dressed-up fundraiser for his excellent 23 Foundation charity.

That’s not to say Hibbert wouldn’t give the proceeds of any game in his honour to Everton In the Community, or any other cause he saw fit, but is there really any point while he remains such a going concern for the first-team?

The tradition of holding a testimonial after 10 years service is fast becoming antiquated, with the practice started in the days when players, even those at top professional clubs, were paid far less than they are today. Not many players were able to live on their club wages, much less save for retirement.

It would make more sense if Hibbert, and Osman, were able to hold charity testimonials after they’ve both hung-up their boots, a time which fortunately does not seem imminent given Everton’s reliance on both this term.

Of course a testimonial for Hibbert would also, inevitably, feature the right-back being allowed to walk-in a goal, or net from a spot-kick, and ruin those fastidiously planned riot celebrations for when that special moment arrives in a competitive match.

And arrive it will.

These grey times are just waiting to be punctured by the joyous moment when an over-lapping Hibbert catches a volley just right at the Gwladys Street.

Keep believing.