The Toffees stalwart, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Tony-Hibbert-c35447 expressed his exhilaration ahead of his testimonial game against AEK Athens on Wednesday, and revealed that Everton was like a ‘family’ to him.
The game will be played at Goodison Park to commemorate the long time services of the English International for the Merseyside team. He joined the club’s youth academy at a tender age of 9, and has since then went on to secure his place in the professional
circuitry.
All in all, he has capped 309 appearances for the Toffees, over a period of almost eleven years.
Talking of his protracted stint at Goodison Park, the defender insisted that he felt right at home throughout his time at Merseyside, and went into raptures about his manager, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/David-c10409 Moyes for vesting his trust in him for so long. He pointed out that the
players come and leave the club from time to time, but felt that he was fortunate to have won the trust and love of the fans and his team-mates.
While talking to reporters, he said: “The manager has stuck by me for the 10 years that he has been here. You see a lot of people come and go. Also the fans have been absolutely brilliant. I think over the years, the support they have given us and me as
a person, I couldn't ask for more.”
The 31-year old made his Premier League debut against West Ham United way back in March, 2001. Currently, he is the longest serving player in the http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Everton-c13019 squad, and also holds the club record of playing the highest number of games in Europe with 20 caps.
Hibbert admitted that he had not envisaged such a lengthy career at a single club at the start of his career, claiming that his initial target was to just cement his place in the starting eleven.
He further added that he has witnessed a lot of changes at the club during his time, but insisted that he had not changed as a player himself.
“I don't think I've changed much as a player. I like a tackle and I think that's what I've kept – that and just giving 100 per cent.”
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