Bill Henderson (footballer born 1878)
Encyclopedia
William "Bill" Henderson (1878–1945) was a Scottish footballer who played as a full-back for various clubs in England at the turn of the 20th century.
and started his career with the local team, Broxburn Athletic
, before signing for English First Division
club, Everton
in November 1896.
Unable to break into the Everton first-team, the following summer Henderson moved south to join Reading
in the Southern League
where he spent the next four years.
. Described as "a capable defender (who) tackled strongly and was quick to the ball" his major weakness was his "over-zealousness".
He made his debut for the "Saints" playing at right-back in the opening match of the 1901–02 season
, a 1–1 draw with New Brompton at The Dell. Unfortunately for Henderson, his time with the Saints coincided with that of C. B. Fry, the famous amateur right-back — as a consequence, Henderson was required to stand down whenever Fry was available to play. Although Henderson made 21 league appearances (including one at right-half) whereas Fry only played nine league matches, Fry was selected for all the club's matches in the FA Cup
in which they made it all the way through to the Final
where they lost 2–1 to Sheffield United
after a replay.
Frustrated by the lack of regular first-team football, Henderson decided to return to Everton in the 1902 close season.
in a 1–0 defeat to Newcastle United
. Henderson went on to make 13 appearances in the 1902–03 season and two the following year, before returning to Reading in the summer of 1904.
to join Clapton Orient in the Second Division in August 1906. In his two seasons with Clapton Orient, he became the regular choice at right-back, replacing the veteran Billy Holmes.
In 1908, Henderson moved back to the Southern League with New Brompton, where he finished his career.
Early career
Henderson was born in Broxburn, West LothianBroxburn, West Lothian
Broxburn is a town in West Lothian, Scotland located west of Edinburgh on the A8 road. It is situated approximately from Edinburgh Airport, and to the north of Livingston....
and started his career with the local team, Broxburn Athletic
Broxburn Athletic F.C.
Broxburn Athletic F.C. are a Scottish junior football club based in the town of Broxburn, West Lothian. They play their home games at Albyn Park. The team was managed by the late Jamie Dolan....
, before signing for English First Division
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
club, Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
in November 1896.
Unable to break into the Everton first-team, the following summer Henderson moved south to join Reading
Reading F.C.
Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship...
in the Southern League
Southern Football League
The Southern League is an English football competition featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs from the South West, South Central and Midlands of England and South Wales...
where he spent the next four years.
Southampton
In the summer of 1901, he moved to the south coast, to join Southern League champions, SouthamptonSouthampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
. Described as "a capable defender (who) tackled strongly and was quick to the ball" his major weakness was his "over-zealousness".
He made his debut for the "Saints" playing at right-back in the opening match of the 1901–02 season
Southern Football League 1901-02
The 1901-02 season was the eighth in the history of the Southern League. Portsmouth were Division One champions for the first time. No clubs applied for election to the Football League.-Division One:Division One featured three new clubs:...
, a 1–1 draw with New Brompton at The Dell. Unfortunately for Henderson, his time with the Saints coincided with that of C. B. Fry, the famous amateur right-back — as a consequence, Henderson was required to stand down whenever Fry was available to play. Although Henderson made 21 league appearances (including one at right-half) whereas Fry only played nine league matches, Fry was selected for all the club's matches in the FA Cup
FA Cup 1901–02
The FA Cup 1901–02 was the thirty-first staging of the world's oldest association football competition, the Football Association Challenge Cup . Sheffield United won the competition for the second time, beating Southampton 2–1 in the replay of the final at Crystal Palace...
in which they made it all the way through to the Final
1902 FA Cup Final
The 1902 FA Cup Final was contested by Sheffield United and Southampton at Crystal Palace. The match finished 1–1 after extra time, with the goals scored by Alf Common for Sheffield United and Harry Wood for Southampton....
where they lost 2–1 to Sheffield United
Sheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
after a replay.
Frustrated by the lack of regular first-team football, Henderson decided to return to Everton in the 1902 close season.
Everton
Henderson made his Everton debut on 13 September 1902, replacing William BalmerWilliam Balmer
Billy Balmer was an English football player who played for Everton, as well as the English national side. His brother Robert played alongside him for Everton, and his nephew was Jack Balmer....
in a 1–0 defeat to Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
. Henderson went on to make 13 appearances in the 1902–03 season and two the following year, before returning to Reading in the summer of 1904.
Later career
Henderson remained at Reading for two years, before returning to the Football LeagueThe Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
to join Clapton Orient in the Second Division in August 1906. In his two seasons with Clapton Orient, he became the regular choice at right-back, replacing the veteran Billy Holmes.
In 1908, Henderson moved back to the Southern League with New Brompton, where he finished his career.