Tony Henderson

NSL Career: Canberra City, Marconi, Blacktown 298 (21) / 1977 - 1989/90

Socceroos Career: 27 (2) A Internationals / 23 (4) B Internationals

One of the best defensive imports to represent Australia, Tony Henderson shared the physical abilities of his contemporaries such as Charlie Yankos, David Ratcliffe and Steve O'Connor but stood out for his ball-playing abilities. The English sweeper/midfielder read the game exceptionally well, was a sharp passer, composed in possession and provided an attacking option when needed.

Originally from Newcastle upon Tyne, Henderson started his career with English Third Division club Rotherham as a 16 year old but couldn't break in to the first team early on. Henderson finally made his debut as an 18 year old before getting injured, which led to his decision to move to South Africa. 

Henderson initially played for National Football League side Durban United in 1975 before moving to fellow NFL club East London United where he stayed until the end of the 1976 season. Fellow Englishman Ron Tilsed, who played against Henderson in the NFL, joined Canberra City for the inaugural Phillips Soccer League season in 1977 and convinced Henderson to do likewise. 

Despite former Socceroo Johnny Warren's unsuccessful run as coach of Canberra, Henderson's talent was obvious and after two seasons in the nation's capital, Marconi signed the defender for $14,000. With star Yugoslavian import Ivo Prskalo occupying the sweeper role, Henderson spent time in the midfield next to Marconi's star attraction Roberto Vieri. 

Henderson's top form for Marconi earned him his first full international cap for Australia in 1979 before winning the NSL Championship. During 1980, Henderson captained the Socceroos on five occasions and moved to a central defensive role where he was part of Marconi's 1980 NSL Cup Final victory over Heidelberg. Henderson played six of the Socceroos' eight World Cup qualifying matches in 1981 as Marconi dropped to third-to-last. 

In 1982, Henderson was set to sign a massive three-year contract with Fort Lauderdale Strikers in the North American Soccer League, however, the league was haemorrhaging money and the uncertainty of it's future saw Henderson return to Marconi. In 1983, Henderson replaced retiring keeper and Socceroos team mate Allan Maher as Marconi captain and played the last of his 27 Socceroos A caps.

Under Henderson's leadership, Marconi played in consecutive finals series from 1984 to 1986, reaching the Northern Conference Final in 1985. Former Marconi team mate Berti Mariani took over from Roberto Vieri as coach for the 1988 season and guided the team to the grand final. In his final game for Marconi, the 34 year old defender scored the winning penalty in the grand final shoot-out against Sydney United.

Henderson moved to Avala in the NSW First Division for the 1989 season to finish out his playing career, however, Henderson replaced Les Scheinflug as Blacktown City coach during the 1989/90 NSL season and made four appearances off the bench. Henderson narrowly missed out on reaching the NSL's 300-game mark (298 league games in total) before finally hanging up the boots at the age of 36. Henderson was selected as a centre back in FFA's Socceroos Team of the 1980s.