With Hibbert being a one-club man for his entire career, coupled with his down-to-earth demeanour, he earned a cult hero status among Everton fans.

[6] Three years later, he made his first-team debut for the club in a Premier League match against West Ham United on 31 March 2001,[6] in which a high challenge from Stuart Pearce into Hibbert's chest saw Everton earn a penalty.

[11] Alongside his commitment to the club, the goal drought contributed to his cult hero status among Everton fans, to the extent that a banner reading "If Hibbert Scores, We Riot" was displayed at the 2009 FA Cup semi-final.

The match was played on 8 August 2012 against Greek side AEK Athens, the team against whom Hibbert made his eighteenth appearance in all European competitions for Everton, equalling a club record.

[16] The match was manager David Moyes' last home game in charge of the side following his decision to end his 11-year reign to join Manchester United.

[17] The form of Séamus Coleman who was later named the club's 2013–14 Player of the Season kept Hibbert out of the first team to such an extent that he only made one league appearance during the campaign.

[22] After moving to France following the end of his professional playing career, Hibbert registered as a veteran player with amateur club ES Louzy in November 2021.