Roy Henderson (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Roy Henderson was a former Scottish
professional football goalkeeper best known for his time with Dumfries
club Queen of the South
.
Amateurs, Lanark
United, Third Lanark and guested for Aberdeen
during the war. It was at Aberdeen where his talent blossomed when he was playing two games per week; one for Aberdeen and one for his army unit where he was the sergeant PT instructor.
Henderson's form attracted attention and with rumours of a prominent club from England showing interest Jimmy McKinnell Junior
stepped in to sign him up at Palmerston Park
.
Bold print sub headings in the press repeatedly give testament to his status among the best goalkeepers around at the time:-
Henderson spent 11 seasons with Queen of the South. Thus Henderson's time at Queens would include:-
It was in 1950 Scottish Cup
semi final 1-1 draw against Rangers at Hampden Park
where he had one of his finest hours. As one press article said, "The Henderson of the first half was not just another 'keeper having a good day. He was a man living his finest moment". Another reported, "It was not just the shutters that he put up - he practically bricked up his goal against the Rangers forwards".
Throughout Roy Henderson's time on the books as a Queen of the South player they would spend only one season out of the top division of Scottish football. That season was 1950-51
when they were promoted straight back to the top flight as Scottish B Division Champions. The success of that season was enhanced by a run to the semi final of the Scottish League Cup
.
In February 1951 Henderson's future in Dumfries came into doubt as Queens' directors considered a bid by Newcastle United. Henderson ended up staying with the club.
Roy Henderson's time at the club would mark the most successful period in the club's history. Henderson played in goal for Queen of the South in 381 first team matches and is 8th highest in the club's record appearances list.
Also at Queens at this time were the club's record scorer Jim Patterson
and until July 1952 Scotland internationalist Billy Houliston
. Goal scoring outside right Bobby Black joined Queens in 1952. Full backs Jimmy Binning
and Dougie Sharpe
were also there.
, but never selected to play ahead of Bobby Brown nor Jimmy Cowan
. Henderson was alleged by many to be the best keeper never to play for Scotland. In one game with Henderson on stand by as reserve Cowan played with a broken finger in fear that Henderson would shine for Scotland and deny Cowan future selection.
season only four days old Queens played against Dunfermline Athletic in the League Cup. Roy Henderson rushed from his goal looking to thwart the advancing Charlie Dickson. The players collided. After receiving treatment Dickson was able to continue. Henderson was stretchered off with a broken leg. At that moment was the beginning of the decline of Queen of the South from their top division mid table status of the previous few seasons. Despite missing most of that season Henderson returned to action briefly but unable to regain full fitness he was forced to retire from playing football altogether.
The late Roy Henderson's wife continues to live in Dumfries as an avid supporter of Queens on match days at Palmerston Park.
Roys wife has been going to Palmerston since she was in her early teens and now at the grand old age of 83 she must be close to being the longest living supporter.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
professional football goalkeeper best known for his time with Dumfries
Dumfries
Dumfries is a market town and former royal burgh within the Dumfries and Galloway council area of Scotland. It is near the mouth of the River Nith into the Solway Firth. Dumfries was the county town of the former county of Dumfriesshire. Dumfries is nicknamed Queen of the South...
club Queen of the South
Queen of the South F.C.
Queen of the South Football Club is a Scottish professional football club founded in 1919 and located in Dumfries. The club currently plays in the Scottish First Division, the second tier of Scottish football. They are officially nicknamed The Doonhamers, but usually referred to as Queens or QoS...
.
Early years
Roy Henderson was a native of Law. Henderson played for CarlukeCarluke
The town of Carluke lies in the heart of the Lanarkshire countryside in South Lanarkshire, Scotland, 5.4 miles northwest of Lanark and 4 miles southeast of Wishaw....
Amateurs, Lanark
Lanark
Lanark is a small town in the central belt of Scotland. Its population of 8,253 makes it the 100th largest settlement in Scotland. The name is believed to come from the Cumbric Lanerc meaning "clear space, glade"....
United, Third Lanark and guested for Aberdeen
Aberdeen F.C.
Aberdeen Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Aberdeen...
during the war. It was at Aberdeen where his talent blossomed when he was playing two games per week; one for Aberdeen and one for his army unit where he was the sergeant PT instructor.
Henderson's form attracted attention and with rumours of a prominent club from England showing interest Jimmy McKinnell Junior
Jimmy McKinnell Junior
James "Jimmy" McKinnell, Jr. was long time secretary and manager with Scottish Football League team Queen of the South of Dumfries....
stepped in to sign him up at Palmerston Park
Palmerston Park
Palmerston Park is a multi-purpose stadium on Terregles Street in Dumfries, south west Scotland. The site of the ground was formerly a farm called Palmers Toun. This is on the Maxwelltown side of the River Nith in Dumfries. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home ground of...
.
Queen of the South
Roy Henderson signed for Queens in July 1946 and from there he went on to have a career as one of the finest goalkeepers of his generation. He was Jimmy McKinnell Junior's first signing for Queens.Bold print sub headings in the press repeatedly give testament to his status among the best goalkeepers around at the time:-
- Goalkeeper defied Celtic
- Henderson v Hearts
- The 'Keeper who had Rangers at their wits end
- Brilliant work by Henderson
Henderson spent 11 seasons with Queen of the South. Thus Henderson's time at Queens would include:-
- Queens points of note in the late 1940s
- The 1950 Scottish Cup semi final and other creditable Scottish Cup runs
- The 1950s and Queens best era
It was in 1950 Scottish Cup
Scottish Cup
The Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The...
semi final 1-1 draw against Rangers at Hampden Park
Hampden Park
Hampden Park is a football stadium in the Mount Florida area of Glasgow, Scotland. The 52,063 capacity venue serves as the national stadium of football in Scotland...
where he had one of his finest hours. As one press article said, "The Henderson of the first half was not just another 'keeper having a good day. He was a man living his finest moment". Another reported, "It was not just the shutters that he put up - he practically bricked up his goal against the Rangers forwards".
Throughout Roy Henderson's time on the books as a Queen of the South player they would spend only one season out of the top division of Scottish football. That season was 1950-51
1950-51 in Scottish football
The 1950–51 season was the 54th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Scottish League Division A:Champions: HibernianRelegated: Clyde, Falkirk-Scottish League Division B:Promoted: Queen of the South, Stirling Albion...
when they were promoted straight back to the top flight as Scottish B Division Champions. The success of that season was enhanced by a run to the semi final of the Scottish League Cup
Scottish League Cup
The Scottish League Cup is a football competition open to all Scottish Football League and Scottish Premier League clubs. At present it is also known as the Scottish Communities League Cup owing to the sponsorship deal in place with the Scottish Government. In the past it has been sponsored by...
.
In February 1951 Henderson's future in Dumfries came into doubt as Queens' directors considered a bid by Newcastle United. Henderson ended up staying with the club.
Roy Henderson's time at the club would mark the most successful period in the club's history. Henderson played in goal for Queen of the South in 381 first team matches and is 8th highest in the club's record appearances list.
Also at Queens at this time were the club's record scorer Jim Patterson
Jim Patterson (footballer)
James "Jim" Patterson is a former professional footballer and all-time record goalscorer for Scottish League club Queen of the South.-Early years:...
and until July 1952 Scotland internationalist Billy Houliston
Billy Houliston
William "Billy" Houliston was a Scottish footballer who played for Crichton, Queen of the South, Berwick Rangers, Third Lanark and the Scotland national team.-Early years:...
. Goal scoring outside right Bobby Black joined Queens in 1952. Full backs Jimmy Binning
Jimmy Binning
Ian "Jimmy" Binning was a Scottish footballer who played for Arbroath and Dumfries side Queen of the South.-Arbroath:From season 1948-49 until his departure Jimmy Binning scored six goals in his 84 league games for Arbroath....
and Dougie Sharpe
Dougie Sharpe
Dougie Sharpe was a former Scottish footballer who played for Queen of the South from the town of Dumfries.-Early years:...
were also there.
Scotland
Many fans throughout Scotland felt Roy Henderson was best goalkeeper in the land with the press also reporting that he should be given his chance in the national team. It never happened. Many speculated that if he had played for a higher profile club then his international selection would have been a formality. Others suggested that Henderson's persona, always happy to engage in banter with fans behind his goal (on one occasion an orange was thrown at him to which his response was to nonchalantly peel the fruit and eat it), was not to the liking of the international selectors. Roy Henderson was selected six times as reserve keeper for the Scotland national teamScotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
, but never selected to play ahead of Bobby Brown nor Jimmy Cowan
Jimmy Cowan (footballer)
James "Jimmy" Clews Cowan was a Scottish football goalkeeper who played for St. Mirren, Greenock Morton, Sunderland, Third Lanark and the Scotland national team....
. Henderson was alleged by many to be the best keeper never to play for Scotland. In one game with Henderson on stand by as reserve Cowan played with a broken finger in fear that Henderson would shine for Scotland and deny Cowan future selection.
Career ending injury
With the 1956-571956-57 in Scottish football
The 1956–57 season was the 60th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Scottish League Division One:Champions: RangersRelegated: Dunfermline Athletic, Ayr United-Scottish League Division Two:...
season only four days old Queens played against Dunfermline Athletic in the League Cup. Roy Henderson rushed from his goal looking to thwart the advancing Charlie Dickson. The players collided. After receiving treatment Dickson was able to continue. Henderson was stretchered off with a broken leg. At that moment was the beginning of the decline of Queen of the South from their top division mid table status of the previous few seasons. Despite missing most of that season Henderson returned to action briefly but unable to regain full fitness he was forced to retire from playing football altogether.
After retirement from football
In a poll in the Dumfries and Galloway Standard in 2004 (nearly 50 years after his career ending injury) Henderson was voted the greatest ever Queens player.The late Roy Henderson's wife continues to live in Dumfries as an avid supporter of Queens on match days at Palmerston Park.
External links
Roys wife has been going to Palmerston since she was in her early teens and now at the grand old age of 83 she must be close to being the longest living supporter.