Hibbitt: Terence Arthur (Terry)

1964-1971 (Player Details)

Midfield/Left Winger

Born: Bradford: 01-12-1947

Debut: v Nottingham Forest (a) (substitute): 19-02-1966

5’6 1/2” 9st 10lb (1970)

Hibbitt signed for Leeds from school and became a professional in December 1964. He was part of a very strong Leeds Junior team that included the likes of David Harvey, Jimmy Lumsden, Bobby Sibbald, Mick Bates, Dennis Hawkins, Eddie Gray, Jimmy Greenhoff, Barry Wright, Peter Lorimer, Nigel Davey and Rod Belfitt. He was also a member of the excellent shadow squad used as cover for the more than one dozen international stars at his disposal in the early part of Revie’s reign. Few footballers have made such a dramatic entry into League football as Terry Hibbitt. Coming on as a substitute, he scored for Leeds with his first touch of the ball at the City Ground. He picked up an Inter-Cities Fairs winners medal in 1968, when he appeared in the final in the Nep Stadium against Ferencvaros. He was behind in the Leeds pecking order to firstly Albert Johanneson, then Terry Cooper and Mike O’Grady and finally Eddie Gray, but did have a good run in 1967-68 and early in 1968-69. He really blossomed when given a chance to show his skills after he joined Newcastle and commanded a regular place. After a £30,000 transfer took him to Newcastle United on 1st August 1971 he starred for the Geordies for four seasons and played in their side which reached the 1974 FA Cup Final. Both he and Malcolm McDonald made their debuts in the same game, at Crystal Palace on 14th August 1971, when the Magpies went down 0-2. The pair became synonymous in Newcastle legend, so much so that Liverpool and Newcastle legend Terry McDermott picked Hibbitt for his greatest-ever team and added “Hibby had a left foot that was like a magic wand, and he made Malcolm Macdonald the player he was at St James’s Park. I reckon Hibby made eventy-five per cent of Mac’s goals.” He twice won the Newcastle United “Player of the Year” award. He scored seven goals in one hundred and thirty-eight League games in his first spell on Tyne-side. He also scored once in ten F.A. Cup ties but none in ten League Cup games. He had a brilliant left-foot and was regarded as one of the best passers in the game; specialising in first-time balls over long distance. Although frail-looking, he was a tireless worker whose non-stop scheming made Newcastle tick. In his first spell at the club United built their tactics around him; inviting the opposition to attack and then when regaining possession playing a quick ball out to Hibbitt who would immediately look to play one of his exocet passes into Supermac's path. It was a simple move that would pay off on a regular basis, never more so than in the FA Cup semi-final match against Burnley when he set up Macdonald for the second goal. On many occasions Macdonald has made clear how much he appreciated those passes. A clean hitter of the ball he probably should have scored more goals although it is fair to say that he was a victim of his own unselfishness. It is also fair to say that Hibbitt liked to talk and was not afraid to offer his opinion even when it wasn't wanted and as a result he often got himself into trouble with the men in black resulting in many games missed through suspension. But he didn't just antagonise officialdom; he had many a set to with his own players who often took exception to his unrequested advice. The most famous incident happened after United slumped to a single goal defeat at Molineux on New Years Day 1972 when comments made by Hibbitt led to all hell breaking loose in the changing room. However he was not an unpopular player as there was no lasting antagonism. He candidly admitted to being the biggest moaner at the club but manager Harvey knew how to deal with him; a box of fags usually proving enough to calm him down. His departure went down in history as one of the shoddiest in the history of Newcastle United. United had lost 3-2 at Derby on a Wednesday evening and when Hibbitt got out the showers his boots were on the top of a skip. Manager Gordon Lee informed him that he had agreed to sell him to Birmingham and that Freddie Goodwin was waiting to speak to him. A shocked Hibbitt informed the other players he was off and United's coach drove off without him. It was a standing joke in the coming months that players should always pack a clean shirt for away matches just in case they were next. A £100,000 move took him to Birmingham City in September 1975. He spent three years at Birmingham where he was made skipper which helped him to control his temper. He scored eleven goals in one hundred and ten League games but he returned to Newcastle in May 1978 in an exchange deal involving winger Stewart Barraclough. By the time he returned Lee and Macdonald had gone and United had been relegated. Hibbitt was made club captain but despite his best efforts this was a poor United side and he could not inspire them to promotion. A persistent knee injury forced him to give up League football and he ran a newsagent’s business in the old West Denton Shopping Centre, next to the Whin Dyke public house.He also ran a pub in the North-East. He scored five times and made ninety appearances, including only one as a substitute, in his second spell with Newcastle United, staying at the club up to his retirement in 1981. He played for Gateshead from 1981-82 until 1986-87, and between May 1986 and October 1986 was their Player-Coach/Manager. He scored seven times in one hundred and thirty games in all competitions and was selected for England Non-League XI, his only representative honour. After leaving Gateshead he became Assistant Manager of Durham City. His younger brother, Kenny, an England Under-Twenty-three international, gave sterling service to Bradford City, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Coventry City and Bristol Rovers. Terry Hibbitt died, in Newcastle, aged forty-six, from cancer on 5th August 1994.

Obituaries and other tributes

Obituary: Terry Hibbitt PHIL SHAW : Monday 08 August 1994

Terence Hibbitt, footballer: born Bradford, Yorkshire 1 December 1947, played Leeds United 1965-71, Newcastle United 1971-75 and 1978-81, Birmingham City 1975-78; Manager, Gateshead 1986-87; died Newcastle upon Tyne 4 August 1994.

As one known for a stoical, self-deprecating wit, Terry Hibbitt might have enjoyed seeing himself bracketed with Bobby Moore as the second of Sir Alf Ramsey's captains to have died in the past 18 months, writes Phil Shaw. Hibbitt, who led Birmingham City during Ramsey's short-lived return to club football, would have been the first to admit that he lacked the physique and perhaps temperament for the international game. But in the context of club football in the 1970s, when what were euphemistically termed ball- winners often staffed the England midfield, his was an elegant and underrated talent. At Leeds United, the 5ft 7in Hibbitt, initially regarded as a left- winger, tended to be wispish rather than waspish, and it was his misfortune to find the likes of Terry Cooper and Eddie Gray emerging simultaneously. At Newcastle in the early Seventies, the marauding Malcolm Macdonald took the headlines, but it was Hibbitt's sweet left foot that created many of his scoring opportunities. While at Birmingham in 1975-78 Hibbitt's precision passing also benefited Trevor Francis. Meanwhile, Hibbitt's younger brother, Kenny, had established a tenacious presence in Wolves' midfield (a combination of their qualities would have made for a strong England candidate). Following a 'derby' in 1977, when Terry hit Birmingham's winner, the scoreline in one newspaper read: 'Hibbitt City 2 Hibbitt Wanderers 1'. When Hibbitt returned to Newcastle in 1978, the club were in a trough between the departure of 'Supermac' and the arrival of Kevin Keegan. Chris Waddle, fresh from the sausage factory, was one of the young players in whose development Hibbitt helped as club captain before injury ended a career spanning 400 League matches.

Obituary: Terry Hibbitt Ivan Ponting : Monday 08 August 1994

Terence Hibbitt, footballer: born Bradford, Yorkshire 1 December 1947, played Leeds United 1965-71, Newcastle United 1971-75 and 1978-81, Birmingham City 1975-78; Manager, Gateshead 1986-87; died Newcastle upon Tyne 4 August 1994.

Terry Hibbitt was a footballer of wily, often beguiling artistry. At his peak in the early and middle 1970s, during the first of two spells with Newcastle United, the slender little midfield general was beloved of the passionate Tyneside fans. They hailed him for the immaculate, imaginative service he provided for his goalscoring cult rival Malcolm Macdonald, and warmed to him for his perky, plucky demeanour. Occasionally his name would be mentioned as an England possible but international recognition never materialised, even at a time when a number of less talented individuals were being honoured by their country. The Yorkshireman Hibbitt entered the professional game as a school-leaver, joining Leeds United in the season after Don Revie had led the Elland Road club to promotion from the Second Division. For the next 10 years Leeds were a mighty power in the land, and the opportunity was there for the gifted Hibbitt to excel. But such were the playing riches at Revie's disposal that the Bradford-born left-footer could never claim a regular place, understandably being unable to oust Eddie Gray from his flank role or Johnny Giles from his berth as chief play-maker. Uncowed by the situation - he was known to venture an impudent rejoinder to his magisterial manager, something no one else would dare - Hibbitt battled on as a classy reserve. However, after scoring with his first kick of his first senior match in 1966, he started fewer than 50 games over the next five years, and though he helped Leeds lift the Intercities Fairs Cup (now the UEFA Cup) in 1968, he missed out on their other triumphs. Clearly he needed a change and in August 1971 a pounds 30,000 transfer took him to Newcastle, where he fulfilled his potential at last. Hibbitt made his Magpies debut on the same day as Macdonald and immediately the two men struck up a rapport. The schemer's sweeping, perceptive passing offered ready ammunition for the explosive 'Supermac' to fire and the upshot was half a decade of memorably exhilarating entertainment. Together they starred in Newcastle's progress to the 1974 FA Cup Final, being especially irresistible in the semi-final victory over Burnley, only for the big day at Wembley to bring bitter disappointment. In one of the most one- sided finals of modern times, they were outclassed 3-0 by Liverpool, though it is significant that the match was still goalless when Hibbitt's mobility was reduced drastically by a wrenched knee just before the interval. Until then he had represented United's most likely hope of upsetting the rampant Merseysiders. After missing much of the subsequent term through injury, Hibbitt joined Birmingham City for pounds 100,000 in August 1975 and gave the Blues, then in the First Division, three years of admirable service before returning to Newcastle in an exchange deal involving the winger Stewart Barrowclough. Now, though fractionally past his peak, the mature midfielder resumed effectively as the brains of the Magpies' attack and became captain. But in the summer of 1981 he was forced by knee problems to retire from top-grade football. He remained close to the game, though, and made a brief comeback as player-coach with non-League Gateshead in 1986, while making his living as a newsagent in Newcastle. Hibbitt will be remembered as a player of subtlety and skill who, on his day, was a pure pleasure to watch.

Terence Arthur "Terry" Hibbitt (1 December 1947 – 5 August 1994) was an English football player, who was on the books at Leeds United, Newcastle United and Birmingham City during his career. His position was midfielder. His brother Kenny also established himself as a successful footballer. Born in Bradford, West Yorkshire, Hibbitt began his career at local Yorkshire club Leeds United, who were particularly strong at the time, with twelve full internationals in the first team. This wealth of ability meant Hibbitt found in difficult to retain a first team place and was looking for a new club. Newcastle United's manager Joe Harvey bid £30,000 for his services in 1971, which was accepted by the club; he officially joined the Magpies on 1 August of that year. His debut came two weeks later, in an away match against Crystal Palace. This was incidentally the same game in which Malcolm Macdonald made his first appearance for Newcastle. Both of these players are still held in high regard by many Newcastle supporters. Whilst at Newcastle, Hibbitt was appreciated for his workrate and overall contribution to the team. Although he scored just fourteen goals during his time at the club, he made many assists and was noted for his accurate crosses with his left foot. He moved to Birmingham City in 1975, where he enjoyed three years at the club and made more than 100 appearances. He returned to Newcastle to see out the end of his career, staying at the club up to his retirement in 1981, after failing to recover from a knee injury. He went on to play non-league football with Gateshead until 1986, during which time he also coached the team. He made 130 appearances in all competitions for Gateshead, scoring seven goals. Hibbitt became Gateshead manager at the end of the 1985/86 season after the Tynesiders had gained promotion to the then Gola League (Conference National). He resigned in October 1986 after six months in the job, due to the clubs financial position and lowly position in the league. Hibbitt later owned a pub in the North-East as well as a paper shop in the old West Denton Shopping Centre, next to the Whin Dyke public house. He contracted cancer and died in Newcastle upon Tyne in 1994 at the age of forty-six.

Terry Hibbitt (a personal tribute by Andy Mettas)

Although Terry Hibbitt's footballing career speaks for itself, I felt I should add a few remarks here and there to personalise it. Terry (and his brother Kenny) was a pupil at Tyersal Secondary School in the early 1960's, when I worked there in a pre-teaching year. He was a small, quiet, shy pupil showing scant academic prowess, but, once he put on his football kit he 'changed' and turned into a young footballing Wizard. (Later watching George Best in action brought back memories of Terry as a boy.) Tommy Hogg, the Headmaster at Tyersal, was a long established member of the BSFA higherarchy and was proud to be able to 'show off his prodogy ' on Saturday mornings at the Bradford Rovers ground on Parry Lane to other Committee members at Bradford Boys matches. On the outside he appeared to be a frail specimen who any opponent should have no trouble with, but once he entered the field and received the ball he was 'in his element' as he taunted and 'ran rings round' much bigger boys! Spectators, on the touchline, couldn't predict what he would do next as he turned some defenders inside-out. To some extent his team-mates couldn't forecast the next move either! While I went off to Goldsmiths' College in London to qualify as a teacher, Terry left Tyersal and signed for Leeds United to become a professional in December 1964. (I wonder where the 'talent spotters' from Bradford Park Avenue and Bradford City were at the time, or was it that Leeds United had more money and pulling power? Barrie Wright, another Tommy Hogg prodogy and England Schoolboys Captain, had also attended Tyersal and was already on the youth books at Leeds United at this time, so perhaps Tommy Hogg persuaded Terry that Leeds were the best option for his further career.)

Others write about Terry's career thus: He became a member of the excellent 'shadow squad' used as cover for the International stars in the early part of Don Revie’s reign. On the 19th February 1966, a 5ft 6in, 9st 10lb, Terry made a dramatic entry into League football. Coming on as a substitute, he scored for Leeds with his first touch of the ball at Nottingham Forest's City Ground. However, he was behind in the Leeds United pecking order to other Leeds players like Albert Johanneson, then Terry Cooper and Mike O’Grady and finally Eddie Gray, so first team games were rare, but he did have a good run in 1967 - 68 and early in 1968 - 69, (In my personal opinion none of these players had half the 'talent' that Terry embodied, but perhaps in professional football talent is not enough and other qualities are also needed.) He did pick up an Inter-Cities Fairs winners medal in 1968, when he appeared in the final in the Nep Stadium, Budapest against the Hungarian team Ferencvaros. In August 1971 a £30,000 transfer took him to Newcastle United where he really blossomed when given a chance to show his skills and commanding a regular place. Hibbitt starred for the Geordies for four seasons and played in their side which reached the 1974 FA Cup Final. Both he and Malcolm McDonald made their debuts in the same game, at Crystal Palace and the pair became synonymous in Newcastle legend, so much so that Liverpool and Newcastle legend Terry McDermott picked Hibbitt for his greatest-ever team and added “Hibby had a left foot that was like a magic wand. And he made Malcolm Macdonald the player he was at St James’s Park. I reckon Hibby made seventy-five per cent of Mac’s goals.” Terry twice won the Newcastle United “Player of the Year” award. He scored seven goals in one hundred and thirty-eight games in his first spell on Tyneside. He had a brilliant left-foot and was regarded as one of the best passers in the game; specialising in first-time balls over long distance. (Lately such qualities were attributed to David Beckham!) Although frail looking he was a tireless worker, whose non-stop scheming made Newcastle tick. In his first spell at the club United built their tactics around him; inviting the opposition to attack and then when regaining possession, playing a quick ball out to Hibbitt, who would immediately look to play one of his Exocet passes into "Supermac's" path. It was a simple move that would pay off on a regular basis, never more so than in the FA Cup semi-final match against Burnley when he set up Macdonald for the second goal. On many occasions Macdonald has made clear how much he appreciated those passes. A clean hitter of the ball he probably should have scored more goals although it is fair to say that he was a victim of his own unselfishness. It is also fair to say that Terry liked to talk and was not afraid to offer his opinion even when it wasn't wanted and as a result he often got himself into trouble with the men in black resulting in many games missed through suspension. But he didn't just antagonise officialdom; he had many a set-to with his own players who often took exception to his unrequested advice. The most famous incident happened after United slumped to a single goal defeat at Molineux on New Years Day 1972 when comments made by Hibbitt led to all hell breaking loose in the changing room. However he was not an unpopular player as there was no lasting antagonism. He candidly admitted to being the "biggest moaner at the club" but manager Harvey knew how to deal with him; a box of fags usually proving enough to calm him down. His departure went down as "one of the shoddiest in the history of Newcastle United". United had lost 3-2 at Derby on a Wednesday evening and when Terry got out of the showers his boots were on top of a skip. Manager Gordon Lee informed him that he had agreed to sell him to Birmingham and that Freddie Goodwin was waiting to speak to him. A shocked Hibbitt informed the other players he was off and United's coach drove off without him. It was a standing joke in the coming months that "players should always pack a clean shirt for away matches just in case they were next". A £100,000 move took him to Birmingham City in September 1975. He spent three years at Birmingham where he was made skipper which helped him to control his temper. He scored eleven goals in one hundred and ten games but he returned to Newcastle in May 1978 in an exchange deal involving winger Stewart Barraclough. By the time he returned, Lee and Macdonald had gone and United had been relegated. Hibbitt was made club captain but despite his best efforts this was a poor United side and he could not inspire them to promotion. He scored five times and made ninety appearances, including only one as a substitute, in his second spell with Newcastle United. A persistent knee injury forced him to give up League football and he ran a newsagent’s business. He also ran a pub in the North-East. He played for Gateshead and between May 1986 and October 1986 was their player coach. He played for England Non-League XI, his only representative honour. Terry Hibbitt died in Newcastle, aged forty-six, from cancer, on 5th August 1994.