David John Hibbert (born 28 January 1986) is an English former footballer who played as a forward; he is now working as a coach at Stoke City. Starting his professional career with Port Vale in 2004, the following year he was signed in controversial fashion by Preston North End – who eventually paid Vale £45,000 for his services. Following loans out to Rotherham United and Bradford City, he transferred to Shrewsbury Town in 2007 for £75,000. He managed to become a key first team player for the "Shrews", before leaving them for Peterborough United in 2010. He did not play a competitive game after picking up a serious injury in November 2010, and announced his retirement from football in April 2013. He returned to the game with Nuneaton Town in October 2013 on a part-time basis, before moving on to Tamworth in June 2014. He joined AFC Telford United in June 2015, before retiring at the end of the 2016–17 season. Playing career Port Vale Born in Eccleshall, Staffordshire, Hibbert started his career at League One Port Vale, rising through the ranks from the age nine years old. He made three starts and seven substitute appearances in first season with Vale; and his promising maiden season was restricted only by a head injury sustained at Milton Keynes Dons. His two goals for the club both came in his second starting appearance in a 3–1 win over Luton Town on 26 February 2005. In June 2005 Championship side Preston North End signed him to a contract. As Hibbert was under the age of 23, the fee was decided by a tribunal according to UEFA regulations. Preston were ordered to pay Port Vale £35,000 up front with add ons of £10,000 for each 10 of his first 50 appearances for Preston (Vale would only receive the first of these due to him only making 13 appearances in total for Preston); a £280,000 bonus if Preston achieved promotion to the Premiership; plus a 25% sell-on clause if Hibbert was sold on. Vale chairman Bill Bratt was highly disappointed with the news and stated: "I believe he has potential, and he is worth a lot more than we have ended up with." Meanwhile, Preston manager Billy Davies stated that: "We are very fortunate to get this young lad because there were several clubs interested. We think his finishing is very good and – like