[2] Hibbs was born in the township of Wilnecote, Warwickshire and, whilst training as a plumber,[3] played for his local club sides Wilnecote Holy Trinity and Tamworth Castle, who had some torrid seasons in the Birmingham and District Football League (the club conceding a total 164 goals over the 1922 and 1923 seasons).

Leslie Knighton's arrival from Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic in 1928 signalled an improvement in fortunes for both Hibbs and Birmingham.

His form on the FA tour earned him a call up for England, and he was selected to play Wales at Stamford Bridge on 20 November 1929.

England won the match 6–0, with a hat-trick from George Camsell[5] He was selected for the "Professionals" in the 1929 FA Charity Shield,[6] but missed the game due to an injury.

The highlight of this period was the club's appearance in the 1946 Third Division (South) final, in front of 20,000, at Stamford Bridge against Bournemouth and by the team of Ron Crutchley, Doug Lishman, Reg Foulkes, "Nutty" Newman and goalkeeper Jackie Lewis.