David Hickinbotham

{{Short description|Australian rules footballer and coach}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2018}}

{{Use Australian English|date=January 2018}}

{{Infobox AFL biography

| name = David Hickinbotham

| image =

| fullname = David Hickinbotham

| birth_date = 1862

| birth_place = Ashbourne, Victoria

| death_date = {{death date and age|1941|11|9|1862|1|1|df=y}}

| death_place = Moolap, Victoria

| originalteam = Geelong (VFA)

| height =

| weight =

| position = Centreman

| coachyears1 = 1910–1911

| coachclub1 = Geelong

| coachgames_wins1 = 36 (18–16–2)

| careerhighlights =

}}

David Hickinbotham (1862 – 9 November 1941){{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article8215932 |title=GEELONG EVENTS |newspaper=The Argus |issue=29,709 |location=Melbourne, Victoria |date=11 November 1941 |page=2}} was an Australian rules footballer who played with Geelong in the Victorian Football Association (VFA) and coached them in the Victorian Football League (VFL).

Under Hickinbotham's captaincy, Geelong did not lose a single game in the 1886 VFA season on their way to the premiership. His sides were renowned for their fitness and physical preparation, while as a player he was regarded as one of the best centreman of the 1880s.{{AustralianFootball|ref=dave%2Bhickinbotham/17446}} Hickinbotham became Geelong's inaugural VFL coach in 1910 and was in charge for two seasons.{{cite web |url=https://afltables.com/afl/stats/coaches/Dave_Hickinbotham.html |title=AFL Tables: Dave Hickinbotham }} He was particularly remembered for his best-on-ground performance in the famous 1886 "Match of the Century" against {{AFL SM}}.{{cite news|newspaper=The Sportsman|publication-place=Melbourne, VIC|title=Senior football|author=Goal Post|page=6|date=8 September 1886}}