You'd think that if you are an unbeaten Sunday League team who have been on fire of late, bringing in a former Premier League player would take you up another gear.
But that's not what happened to Skelmersdale-based team The Haires when they drafted in football icon Tony Hibbert.
Hibbert retired from professional football after being released by Everton after 15 years of service in the first team and only being notified of his departure via text messages from friends.
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Injuries led to him calling it a day but he was back playing recently in an amateur game in South Lancashire and in his first competitive appearance since a run-out in Roberto Martinez's final win over Bournemouth last season, the wizard was on the end of a defeat.
Image: PA
The Haires had won nine games on the bounce, including a 21-0 win, but lost 1-0 in Hibbert's first appearance for the team.
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He went his entire professional career without scoring a goal, which meant that if he ever did, Everton fans would be sent into a frenzy and would be right on the pitch.
The defender netted a driven free-kick in his testimonial game, prompting unbelievable scenes at Goodison Park.
But we all know that this is undoubtedly his finest piece of play:
Imagine Tony Hibbert turning up to play for your team though? You'd be in the presence of greatness, for sure.
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(h/t Southport Visiter)
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: Sunday League, Football, Everton
