Billy Hendry

William Harold 'Billy' Hendry (June 1869 – 4 May 1901) was a Scottish footballer who played as a defender. Born in Newport-on-Tay he played in the Football League for Bury, Preston North End, Sheffield United, Stoke and West Bromwich Albion.

Early career

After leaving school, Hendry, a talented forward, played for Dunblane Thistle and then Dundee Wanderers, usually at outside right, but he was soon to play football in England. There was no professional football at the time in Scotland, so those players with talents to sell crossed the border. Hendry had an ability to skilfully dribble the ball, a technique not used in the traditional English game in the 1880s.

In 1888, Hendry found himself playing for West Bromwich Albion in the first Football League season. Hendry, now playing as a centre forward was restless in his time with the Baggies, and in April 1889 he joined Stoke. While at Stoke Hendry was mainly used as a left-back and played 16 times scoring once. In January 1890 he joined Preston North End, who had just become Football League champions for a second time.

Sheffield United

In January 1891, Charles Stokes, the Chairman of Sheffield United’s football committee went to Preston and returned with the signatures of three Preston players in the hope of improving United's professionalism. The players he signed were Jack Drummond, Sammy Dobson and Billy Hendry.

Hendry made his debut for Sheffield United against Derby Junction on 28 February 1891 in a Midland Counties League match. It was Drummond who was to score the goal that took United into Division One in 1893, but it was Hendry's signing that was the most significant. By now, Hendry had become a centre half. He was made team captain at Sheffield United and remained so until his career with the club ended in 1895.

He was a small stocky player, described as neat, cool and calculating with 'exceptional skill'. His value to Sheffield United lay not just in the shrewdness and effectiveness of his play, but in the direction and leadership he gave to the club in the early years of Sheffield United in general. The United committee "set great value upon his options as to the arrangement and formation of the team, and placed confidence in his judgement... and ability as a player, a captain, and an adviser"

Under Hendry's leadership, the Blades secured a place in Division One, and foundations were laid for the great Sheffield United team of the turn of the century. It was also said that Hendry's advice and guidance helped the natural talents of Ernest Needham, who was to become an England international.

Hendry sustained an injury during a New Year's Day friendly fixture at Leith Athletic in 1895 and it was thought that it would end his career. He played only four more games for United before being released the following summer.

Post Sheffield United

Despite his injury problems Hendry later went on to play for Dundee then returned South of the border to play for Bury in The Football League before moving to Brighton United and finally to Shrewsbury Town where he remained until his death in 1901 from heart disease.

• Sourced from Billy Hendry profile at the English National Football Archive (subscription required)

Sheffield United

• Second Division: Runners Up – 1893