THE FOOTBALL LEAGUE 100 : # 19 Harry HIBBS

As the year progresses, I am making headway on my project to collect original cards of the 100 greatest FOOTBALL LEAGUE players. As of today, I have obtained 86 % of the list. The hardest ones to find are the pre-war issues. But I did score on one of late.

 

HARRY HIBBS

 

It may seem like a small achievement when looking at Harry Hibbs' trophies, but the former Birmingham goal keeper accomplished more than just an F.A. Cup runners up medal in his career..

 

1935 Churchman Cigarettes caricature

 

In an age when the England National Team selection was done by committee rather than a Manager, Hibbs made an astonishing 25 appearences for his country. On 10 of those occasion he shutout his opponents.

 

1931 Lambert & Butler illustration

 

While 25 caps can be earned today in 2 World Cups and 2 Qualifying seriess, it was not so before World War II.

 

A closer look at England's goal keepers from 1920 up to the years before the war, Hibbs surpasses all his rivals and dwarfs almost all others. Sam Hardy was England's No. 1 through March 1920. However, 21 England goalies stood between the posts before Harry Hibbs debut in November 1929. He was a cousin of Harold Pearson* who also kept goal for England.

 

Sam Hardy - 21 caps (last cap March 1920)

Jack Brown - 6 caps

Ted Hufton - 6 caps

Jack Hacking - 3 caps 

Benjamin Olney - 2 caps

Dan Tremeling - 1 cap

Albert  McInroy - 1 cap

George Ashmore - 1 cap

Ted Taylor - 8 caps

Richard Pym - 3 caps

Howard Baker - 2 caps

Freddie Fox - 1 cap

Harry Hardy - 1 cap

James Mitchell - 1 cap

Ronald Sewell - 6 caps

Ernest Williams - 2 caps

Jack Alderson - 1 cap

Jerry Dawson - 2 caps

Teddy Davidson - 1 cap

Harold Gough - 1 cap

Bert Coleman - 1 cap

Jack Mew - 1 cap

Harry Hibbs - 25 caps (first cap Novemeber 1929)

 

1934 Ardath Cigarettes portrait

 

This revolving door continued after even after Hibbs last international match (February 1936). The singular mainstay was Vic Woodley, with 19 appearences, until the halt of international football in 1939.

 

Hugh Turner - 2 caps

Harold Pearson - 1 cap*

Frank Moss - 4 caps

Ted Sager - 4 caps

Henry Holdcroft - 2 caps

George Tweedy - 1 cap

Vic Woodley - 19 caps

 

Harry Hibbs held the England record for appearences for a goalkeeper until it was broken by Ron Springett in 1962. Harry Hibbs played 358 league games with the club. The club shows its best run in the pre-wars years staying in Division 1 his entire career. During this time, Birmingham reached its only pre-war F.A. Cup Final in 1931.