In an exclusive interview, former Shrewsbury Town striker David Hibbert discusses his time at the club and his work with Stoke City’s academy.
He wrote his name into Shrewsbury Town folklore by netting the first goal at the now named Montgomery Waters Meadow in a pre-season friendly.
And Town fans would soon realise that there was plenty more where that came from, as David Hibbert would go on to score crucial goals for the club.
The now 33-year-old was a vital component in the side that avoided dropping out of the Football League; notching 12 goals in 46 matches.
It is clear to see the passion that the Eccleshall born forward still has about the club. Speaking exclusively to Shropshire Live, Hibbert said: “I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the club, and it’s still the first result I look out for.
“It was very much a time of transition into the new stadium, and to score the first goal, and the first league goal (against Bradford) at the new stadium meant a lot to me.
“We narrowly missed out on promotion and to finish top scorer and win Player of the Year awards for two out of the three seasons; was a personal highlight.”
Prior to joining Shrewsbury, the former Rotherham United and Bradford City loanee began his career at Port Vale.
His promising performances led to Championship outfit Preston North End snapping him up; where a talented squad included one-time England striker David Nugent.
But he was blighted by injuries on loan at The Bantams, and this perhaps stunted his progress.
Not to worry though, David would go on to carve a successful career in league football; and soon set about making himself a favourite at the New Meadow.
He states that his relationships with his managers at the club were positive. Hibbert added: “I got on well with both Gary Peters and Paul Simpson. Paul is someone I seek advice from with regards to my coaching career now, with him doing so well with the younger age groups of the England set up; and is always happy to help.”
David’s first campaign as a Salopian started off well, but a slip in form, including a run of taking just six points from a possible 12 matches; led to the departure of Peters in March 2008.
On this period, Hibbert stated: “We started the season really well, but things started to tail off around Christmas time which was obviously disappointing.
“We had a very young team at the time, and I think that lack of experience showed. We survived comfortably in the end, Simmo (Paul Simpson) built a strong squad during that summer for us to be fighting at the right end of the table the following season.”
He was on fire during the 2009/10 season, building a solid and fruitful partnership with Nathan Elder; and would finish the campaign with 15 goals to his name.
It would be inevitable that his form would attract interest from elsewhere, and that proved to be the case when he left for Peterborough United in May 2010 – becoming Gary Johnson’s first signing in the process.
Hibbert turned down a new contract at Shrewsbury to move to London Road, but admitted it was an “extremely tough decision to make.”
He added: “I’m a fairly local lad and was very happy at the club. We were expecting our first daughter Ola at the time; so, it was going to cause a lot of upheaval.
“The challenge of pushing for promotion from the Championship, and being part of a strike force that included Aaron McLean and Craig Mackail-Smith; was an exciting prospect and one I couldn’t turn down.
“We won promotion to the Championship that season, but I suffered a ruptured Achilles, dislocated knee cap and four operations later my pro career was over. Had I have stayed, who knows it might not have happened; but you can’t have any regrets.”
The former AFC Telford striker, blighted by injuries at London Road, shows such enthusiasm for Shrewsbury Town – which must be heartening for the supporters that still hold him in high regard.
He believes that the current crop of players are capable of surviving the drop: “It was fantastic to see the success the club had last season under Paul Hurst.
“He really brought the town together and they were unfortunate not to be playing Championship football this season.
“It was always going to be a tough ask to repeat the success of last year, and (it) was made even tougher with Paul and key players leaving.
“I have no doubts they will stay in League One, with the quality and experience in that dressing room and a young manager that I have heard very good things about.”
Following a stint in non-league, David is now pursuing his coaching career; and currently leads the U15’s and 16’s at Championship outfit Stoke City.
“I am hoping to have my UEFA A Licence and Advanced Youth Award completed by the end of the year.
“The set-up (at Stoke) is fantastic, and with us all being on one site you can’t help but learn from watching the first team; and in Nathan Jones we have a manager that will give youth a chance and (he) wants to develop players which is great to see.
“Our programme we deliver, I believe, is up there with the best and that’s been backed up with the success the younger age groups are having, and the players that are gaining first team exposure at the top end.”
By learning at the Potteries and working in an environment that oozes class, is Hibbert setting his sights on becoming a manager one day?
“I’m loving every minute of the coaching side of the game, but for the time being it’s all about learning, passing on experiences, and knowledge to help the youngsters at Stoke; but who knows what the future holds.”
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