Biography
Right sided forward Henderson signed for City in June 1961 a month ahead of Cliff Britton being appointed as the Tigers’ first team manager, though it was apparent that Britton had sanctioned the move ahead of his appointment being finalised. Ray slotted straight into a first team that was trying to find its way to the upper reaches of Division Three, though after announcing his arrival with an early September 1961 brace of goals against Torquay United he missed a month of football as Brian Bulless was preferred in the attack. When Henderson returned in late October he kept his place in the first team until injury forced him to miss another month towards the end of the season. Further short spells out of the first team picture arose again in the 1962/63 season but he missed only the opening game of the 1963/64 season and contributed twelve goals in all competitions.
When Ken Houghton signed for Hull City in January 1965 it was Ray that initially gave way, he was a support player for the remainder of the 1964/65 season and the opening weeks of the 1965/66 season. In late August 1965 Henderson became the Tigers’ first ever substitute when introduced from the bench in a league match against Brighton & Hove Albion, netting the winner in a 2-1 victory. In September 1965, encouraged by this goal, Britton reintroduced Ray in the outside right position, a change in role that suited him. He missed only one match during the rest of the season, proving a vital part in the notorious Tigers front five that scored over 100 goals to win the Division Three title and reach the Sixth Round of the FA Cup.
Ray retained his place throughout the 1966/67 season, successfully making the step up to Division Two football, but was used less regularly in the 1967/68 season as manager Britton tried several options on the right wing and Ray struggled with an ankle injury. Henderson was not offered a renewed playing contract during the 1968 close season but stayed around Boothferry Park as a trainer after turning down a move to USA side Boston Beacons in July 1968. He eventually left the Tigers in October 1968 after seven years of fine service.
Raymond “Ray” Handerson was born in Wallsend and schooled during the 1950s in the famous footballing hotbed on the north banks of the River Tyne. He trained as a marine engineer and played semi-professional football for Northern League side Ashington, scoring 20 goals for the North Eastern League side during the 1956/57 season. In February 1957 he moved into the professional ranks with Division Two side Middlesbrough, though he stayed at Ashington for two more months. He made an immediate impression in the Boro Reserves side and was handed a senior debut in November 1957 against Ipswich Town. Ray compiled five goals in 10 appearances during four seasons at Ayresome Park before leaving for Hull City in June 1961.
In October 1968 Ray left Hull City and was appointed player/coach at Division Three side Reading. Ray made only 10 appearances for the Biscuitmen, scoring once, between February and May 1969 he was appointed caretaker manager of the Elm Park club’s first team, leading the side for 19 matches. Ray was retained as trainer to the Reading first team by new boss Jack Mansell, who promoted him to assistant manager in July 1970 – Ray also led Reading’s reserve side.
Ray left Reading in May 1971 after the Biscuitmen were relegated to Division Four and was linked with the manager’s post at Gillingham in June 1971 but was not successful despite being tipped by the local press as favourite for the role. Instead Ray was appointed manager at Division Three side Halifax Town in August 1971 and guided the Shaymen for 51 matches and a 17th place finish to the 1971/72 season. But he was sacked by the Halifax board in May 1972 and after spending the 1972/73 season scouting for Oxford United he was appointed to the coaching staff at Division One side Everton in June 1973, taking over coaching duties for the Toffees’ second team. In February 1975 was an unsuccessful applicant for the manager’s job at York City but in May 1976 he had more joy when he was appointed first team manager at struggling Division Four side Southport. Alas the scale of the task at the Sandgrounders was too large and despite recruiting former City teammate Billy Wilkinson Ray’s team managed only two wins in 34 matches before his resignation in March 1977, at which time he was appointed executive manager and club secretary. Ray left Southport in October 1977.
Henderson stepped away from football on leaving Southport and took a job in sports promotions before eventually moving into the printing industry, working in Leeds and living in Boston Spa. In the early 2010s he recovered from an abdominal aortic aneurysm, which was hampering blood flow to his legs. After a further period of ill-health he died in a Wetherby care home in January 2024.
Details
Nationality: England
Date/Place of Birth: 31 March 1937, Wallsend
Hull City First Game: 21 August 1961, Port Vale A (Division Three), 24 years, 143 days old
Hull City Final Game: 25 April 1968, Rotherham United H (Division Two), 31 years, 25 days old
Clubs
Ashington (1955-1957), Middlesbrough (1957-1961), Hull City (1961-1968), Reading (1968-1969)
Hull City Record
Career: 264 apps, 61 goals
Ray Henderson| Season | LGE App | LGE Gls | FAC App | FAC Gls | FLC App | FLC Gls | EUR App | EUR Gls | OTH App | OTH Gls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1961/62 | 28 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | – | – | – | – |
| 1962/63 | 31 | 10 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 0 | – | – | – | – |
| 1963/64 | 43 | 9 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | – | – | – | – |
| 1964/65 | 25 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | – | – | – | – |
| 1965/66 | 38 (1) | 13 | 7 (0) | 1 | 2 (0) | 0 | – | – | – | – |
| 1966/67 | 39 (1) | 4 | 3 (0) | 0 | 1 (0) | 0 | – | – | – | – |
| 1967/68 | 22 (1) | 4 | 0 (1) | 0 | – | – | – | – | – | – |
hi this is bit of a long shot – are Henderson is my grandad, he’s very unwell at the moment and I was hoping to paint him something. I really love the shot you have used on this page, is there any way you could send me the shot that in better quality?
thanks so much!