Players – Terry Hibbitt – a Wayward Genius
Players – Terry Hibbitt – A wayward genius Terry Hibbitt‘s impressive entrance into senior football hinted that he could be one of the most glorious talents to emerge from Leeds United‘s golden generation of the Sixties. He was given his first team debut as an 18-year-old against Nottingham Forest on 19 February 1966, coming on as a first half substitute for Paul Madeley. Within minutes of taking the field Hibbitt scored a stunning goal, lobbing goalkeeper Peter Grummitt from 20 yards. For the next three years the talented left winger continued to show rich potential whenever given an opportunity by Don Revie, but he disappeared into the cul-de-sac of reserve team football after the talented Eddie Gray established himself as Revie‘s preferred choice on the left flank. A £30,000 transfer to Newcastle United in 1971 gave Hibbitt the chance of reviving his career, and he used the platform to give clear evidence of his prowess in a playmaking role. Hibbitt‘s younger brother Ken, born on 3 January 1951 and an England Under-23 cap, also enjoyed a long and successful professional career, mainly at Wolves (1968-84), with spells at Bradford Park Avenue, Seattle Sounders, Coventry City and Bristol Rovers. Frail of build and bandy of leg, Terry Hibbitt did not have a classic athlete‘s build, but he was an outstanding midfielder, playing cultured and intelligent football. He possessed a great range of passing skills and an instinctive feel for the through ball which benefited Malcolm Macdonald among others. Toon midfield colleague Terry McDermott: ―Hibby had a left foot that was like a magic wand.
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