Henry: Gerald Robert (Gerry)

1937-1947 (Player Details) (Leeds United War-time Guest Player Details)

Inside Forward

Born: Hemsworth, West Yorkshire: 05-10-1920

Debut: v Manchester United (a): 07-04-1939

5’5” 11st 4lb (1946)

Henry played for Yorkshire Schools in 1934 and joined Leeds United as a seventeen year old from local junior side Outwood Stormcocksin October 1937. Known as a strong shooting inside-forward, headapted to several roles for United, including an attacking wing-half, right-winger or centre forward. He made one hundred and eighty-six War-time appearances for United, scoring ninety-four goals, both club records, and also guested for several other clubs mainly in Yorkshire as he was a miner by trade and consequently was one of the few United players who were regularly available during the War years. He was by far the most outstanding and prolific Leeds United player in those Years and when one takes into account his availability and sometimes his non-attacking role, his record was phenomenal, as Leeds played two hundred and forty-three League and Cup games and scored four hundred and seventy-eight goals. During the Second World War he actually played against United, with whom he was the travelling reserve for the game with Manchester City at Maine Road on 12th April 1941. City were short of men and United helped their foes out by allowing Henry to play for them in a 1-1 draw. The following Saturday, 19th April 1941, he scored once when turned out for Huddersfield Town, along with the complete Leeds Half Back line of Willis Edwards, Tom Holley and Wilf Copping, when Town were short of players and Leeds had no fixture. Apart from those two fixtures, Henry also guested with Barnsley, scoring once in two games in 1940-41 and also played one in 1942-43, Bradford City, once in 1940-41, Bradford Park Avenue, scoring in his only appearance in 1943-44, Doncaster Rovers, scoring three goals in four games in 1939-40, nineteen goals in fifteen games in 1940-41, but did not score in his one game in 1942-43, and finally Halifax Town where he did not score in one game in 1939-40 and another in 1944-45. Before the outbreak of the Second World War he had only managed two games for United, curiously as a right-winger, and after the cessation of hostilities he continued as predominantly a wing half until United signed English international Ken Willingham, a high profile wing half, and Henry fell out of favour. He left for Bradford Park Avenue in November 1947, where he scored thirty-one times in seventy-nine League games. He played for Sheffield Wednesday, who he joined in February 1950, forty times and scored seven goals and then it was on to Halifax Town, where he moved in December 1951. Shortly after he arrived at the Shay he was appointed player-coach and then had a spell as player-manager 27th February 1952 until 15th October 1954, but ceased playing in June 1953. He scored three goals and played twenty-four games at the Shay. Whilst Manager of Halifax Town he brought in Ian Ure, the former Leeds United Trainer to sharpen-up the Shaymen’s fitness. He died in 1979.