Henderson Bill Image 3 Reading 1904

Description

Broxburn, Lothian born right back Bill Henderson played for Broxburn Athletic from 1895 before spending 1896-97 with Everton without making their first eleven. He joined Southern League club Reading in 1897, spending four years with The Royals before transferring to Southampton.

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 (now Gillingham) 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 1902 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 at The Crystal Palace.

Frustrated by the lack of regular first team football, Henderson decided to return to Everton in the 1902 close season. Henderson made his Football League debut for Everton on 13th September 1902, replacing Billy Balmer in a 1-0 defeat to Newcastle United. Henderson went on to make 15 appearances in the 1902-03 season and two the following year, before returning to Reading in the summer of 1904.

He spent two years at Elm Park before returning to Football League action with Clapton Orient in the 1906 close season, where he was described as “one of the best backs in League II. Kicks well and places the ball adroitly. A difficult back to get past.” He became club captain of The O’s and made 51 appearances before finishing his career with Southern League New Brompton in 1909.