Karl Henry

Karl Henry
Henry in 2018
Personal information
Full name Karl Levi Daniel Henry[1]
Date of birth (1982-11-26) 26 November 1982 (age 41)[1]
Place of birth Wolverhampton, England
Height 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)[1]
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Boldmere St. Michaels
Youth career
1998–1999 Stoke City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1999–2006 Stoke City 120 (1)
2004 → Cheltenham Town (loan) 9 (1)
2006–2013 Wolverhampton Wanderers 250 (6)
2013–2017 Queens Park Rangers 112 (2)
2017–2018 Bolton Wanderers 33 (1)
2018 Bradford City 4 (0)
2023– Boldmere St. Michaels 0 (0)
Total 528 (11)
International career
2001 England U18 1 (0)
2002 England U20 2 (0)
Managerial career
2023– Boldmere St. Michaels
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Karl Levi Daniel Henry (born 26 November 1982) is an English footballer who plays as a midfielder for Boldmere St. Michaels.

Henry was a product of the Stoke City academy who went on to make over 120 appearances for the club, also spending time on loan at Cheltenham Town in 2004. He joined his hometown club Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2006, and went on to become captain of the side in the Premier League. Henry spent seven seasons at Wolves, making 272 appearances in all competitions.

He joined Queens Park Rangers in the summer of 2013 and helped them to victory in the 2014 Championship play-off final. In 2017, after four years with QPR, he was released from the club upon the expiry of his contract; he later played for Bolton Wanderers and Bradford City before retiring in 2019.

Karl Henry now has two sons called Marley Henry(12) and Monty Henry (8) who both are coached by him playing for their local football team Boldmere St. Michaels.

Club career

Stoke City

Born in Wolverhampton, West Midlands,[1] Henry began his career as a youth player for Stoke City in 1998. He made his first team debut on 7 February 2001 in a 4–0 Football League Trophy victory against Walsall.[2] He broke into the first team under Gudjon Thordarson in 2001–02 making 28 appearances as Stoke gained promotion via the play-offs.[3] Henry went on again to feature regularly for Stoke in the 2002–03 season making 22 appearances as Stoke narrowly avoided relegation.[4] He scored his first and only goal for Stoke in a 4–2 defeat against Bradford City on 26 December 2002.[5] This saw him selected for the England under 18, 20 and 21 squads.[6]

Henry was unable to hold down a regular starting role in the 2003–04 season and was loaned out to Third Division side Cheltenham Town on a two-month deal in January 2004.[7][8] Henry played nine times for the Robins scoring once against Mansfield Town.[9] Henry came back into the first team following his loan spell and at the end of the season he signed a new contract.[10]

The 2004–05 and 2005–06 seasons saw Henry play a bit part role for Stoke mainly being used as a substitute. He made 15 starts for Stoke in each season and overall made a total of 34 substitute appearances.[11][12]

In the summer of the 2006–07 season Henry was out of contract, and although officially a free agent, was still training with Stoke City. The club allowed him to go on trial at Wolverhampton Wanderers, who he joined permanently in August 2006 for a fee of £100,000.[13]

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Henry playing for Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2010

Henry joined his hometown club on a three-year contract in August 2006 a week before the start of the 2006–07 season. He made his Wolverhampton Wanderers debut and his first start for his new club against Plymouth Argyle on the opening day of the season. Henry spent most of his first season filling in at right back and playing a few games in central midfield.

He was appointed captain for the first time in December 2006 as Jody Craddock was out injured. Henry's first season for Wolves came to an end when he suffered a serious injury in the game against Luton Town on 3 March 2007. Henry bruised his spleen and was forced to sit out the remainder of the 2006–07 season, which saw him miss out on the Championship play-offs. He made a total of 34 appearances in his first season for Wolves, scoring three goals.

In the 2007–08 season, Henry again impressed for Wolves after holding down his position in the centre of midfield. He went on to make a total of 42 appearances for Wolves, scoring three goals again. These goals came against Preston North End and two against Charlton Athletic, both home and away. Henry also picked up an injury against Charlton on 29 March 2008, which saw him miss the last six games of the season.

The 2008–09 season saw Henry impress again for Wolves and he was also handed the captain's armband for the majority of the season as Jody Craddock was out injured. He was an integral part of the team which made an impressive start to the season as Wolves were at the top of the table for numerous months with Henry captaining them. He was in the starting 11 against Queens Park Rangers in which Wolves went on to win the game which resulted in them gaining promotion to the Premier League. On 3 May 2009, Henry and Craddock both lifted the Championship trophy at Molineux on the final day of the season after their 1–0 over Doncaster Rovers.

Henry was an ever-present captain in the Wolves team in the 2009–10 season, his Premier League debut came against West Ham United on the opening day. He went on to make 34 appearances for Wolves during 2009–10, missing only four games, as Wolves stayed up at the end of their first season in the Premier League.

During the 2010–11 season, Henry made 31 Premier League appearances as captain. On the last day of the season, on 22 May 2011, Wolverhampton Wanderers stayed in the Premier League after finishing 17th.

A start of the new season, new signing Roger Johnson replaced Henry as club captain.[14] Henry started Wolves' first three games in the 2011–12 season, including the 0–0 draw away at local rivals Aston Villa. Before the match between QPR and Wolves, Henry threw down the gauntlet on Joey Barton as they prepared to go head-to-head at Molineux. The two (both Joey Barton and Karl Henry) were involved in a physical confrontation in August 2010 when Barton was still at Newcastle.[15] The confrontation occurred after Henry made a number of strong tackles on Barton. During the match between QPR and Wolves, which QPR won 3–0, Henry continued his strong challenges on Barton,[16] who hit back by making claims that Henry 'tries to hurt people'.[17] Henry says Barton was 'embarrassing' after recent comments.[18] Henry was taunted by a section of the Molineux crowd after being substituted,[19] when Wolves were defeated by Newcastle United by a score of 1–2.[20] He was defended by Wolves captain at the time, Roger Johnson.[19]

With the arrival of Kenny Jackett as manager, Henry was transfer listed,[21] despite his contract still having three more years to run.[22]

Henry (wearing white) playing for Queens Park Rangers in the West London derby against Chelsea, 2014

Queens Park Rangers

Henry signed for Championship side Queens Park Rangers on 23 July 2013 for an undisclosed fee.[23] He scored his first goal for the club against future employers Bolton Wanderers on 28 January 2014.[24]

Bolton Wanderers

On 25 September 2017, Henry signed a contract with Championship side Bolton Wanderers on a deal until the end of the season.[25] He made his first appearance for a Bolton the next day, playing the full 90 minutes of a 2–0 away defeat to Bristol City in the Championship.[26] He was released by Bolton at the end of the 2017–18 season.[27]

Bradford City

He signed a two-month contract with Bradford City on 23 November 2018,[28] making his début for the club in the 2–0 win over Oxford United the following day.[29] On Christmas Eve, he left Bradford by mutual consent.[30]

Retirement

In August 2019, after eight months without a club, Henry announced his retirement from football.[31][32]

International career

On 8 October 2008, Henry was approached by manager John Barnes to play for Jamaica. On 20 February 2011, Henry was named in the 40-man England provisional squad for the game against Denmark, but did not make the final cut of 26.[33]

Coaching career

In June 2022, Henry took up a coaching role in the academy of Northern Premier League Division One Midlands club Boldmere St. Michaels.[34]

Personal life

As a child Henry suffered from acute asthma.[35] Henry grew up supporting his local side Wolverhampton Wanderers.[36] Henry is a supporter of the Conservative Party.[37]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Stoke City 2000–01[38] Second Division 0 0 0 0 0 0 1[a] 0 1 0
2001–02[3] Second Division 24 0 2 0 1 0 1[a] 0 28 0
2002–03[4] First Division 18 1 3 0 1 0 — 22 1
2003–04[39] First Division 20 0 0 0 1 0 — 21 0
2004–05[11] Championship 34 0 1 0 1 0 — 36 0
2005–06[12] Championship 24 0 3 0 1 0 — 28 0
Total 120 1 9 0 5 0 2 0 136 1
Cheltenham Town (loan) 2003–04[39] Third Division 9 1 — — — 9 1
Wolverhampton Wanderers 2006–07[40] Championship 34 3 3 0 1 0 0 0 38 3
2007–08[41] Championship 40 3 2 0 2 0 — 44 3
2008–09[42] Championship 43 0 2 0 2 0 — 47 0
2009–10[43] Premier League 34 0 3 1 1 0 — 38 1
2010–11[44] Premier League 29 0 2 0 0 0 — 31 0
2011–12[45] Premier League 31 0 1 0 1 0 — 33 0
2012–13[46] Championship 39 0 1 0 1 0 — 41 0
Total 250 6 14 1 8 0 0 0 272 7
Queens Park Rangers 2013–14[47] Championship 27 1 1 0 0 0 1[b] 0 29 1
2014–15[48] Premier League 33 0 1 0 1 0 — 35 0
2015–16[49] Championship 38 1 0 0 1 0 — 39 1
2016–17[50] Championship 14 0 0 0 1 0 — 15 0
Total 112 2 2 0 3 0 1 0 118 2
Bolton Wanderers 2017–18[51] Championship 33 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 33 1
Bradford City 2018–19[52] League One 4 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 6 0
Boldmere St. Michaels 2023–24[53] Northern Premier League
Division One Midlands 		0 0 1 0 — — 1 0
Career total 528 11 28 1 16 0 3 0 575 12
  1. ^ a b Appearance in Football League Trophy
  2. ^ Appearance in Championship play-offs

Honours

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Queens Park Rangers

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2010). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11. Edinburgh: Mainstream Publishing. p. 195. ISBN 978-1-84596-601-0.
  2. ^ "Stoke 4-0 Walsall". BBC Sport. 7 February 2001. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  3. ^ a b "Games played by Karl Henry in 2001/2002". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  4. ^ a b "Games played by Karl Henry in 2002/2003". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  5. ^ "Bradford 4-2 Stoke". BBC Sport. 26 December 2002. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  6. ^ "Cole back in U21 squad". BBC Sport. 6 October 2002. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  7. ^ "Robins snap up Henry". BBC Sport. 13 January 2004. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  8. ^ "Robins hold onto Henry". BBC Sport. 10 February 2004. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  9. ^ "Cheltenham 4-2 Mansfield". BBC Sport. 28 February 2004. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  10. ^ "Potters players in talks". BBC Sport. 10 May 2004. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  11. ^ a b "Games played by Karl Henry in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  12. ^ a b "Games played by Karl Henry in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  13. ^ "Wolves make Henry deal with Stoke". BBC Sport. 2 August 2006. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  14. ^ "Wolves make Roger Johnson captain". Express and Star. 2 August 2011. Retrieved 14 February 2012.
  15. ^ "Henry ready for Barton rematch". Sky Sports. 12 September 2011. Retrieved 14 February 2012.
  16. ^ "Joey Barton hits back at Karl Henry on Twitter after QPR win". The Guardian. London. 17 September 2011.
  17. ^ "QPR's Joey Barton claims Karl Henry of Wolves 'tries to hurt people'". The Guardian. London. 18 September 2011.
  18. ^ McCourt, Ian (19 September 2011). "Karl Henry says Joey Barton is 'embarrassing' after recent comments". The Guardian. London.
  19. ^ a b "Henry abuse disgusting – Johnson". BBC News. 7 October 2011.
  20. ^ "Wolves 1–2 Newcastle". BBC News. 1 October 2011.
  21. ^ "Four players transfer listed". Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. 24 June 2013. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013.
  22. ^ "Wolverhampton Wanderers captain Karl Henry extends deal". BBC Sport. 15 August 2012.
  23. ^ "Karl Henry: Queens Park Rangers sign Wolves midfielder". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
  24. ^ "QPR 2-1 Bolton". BBC. 28 January 2014. Retrieved 1 February 2014.
  25. ^ "Bolton Wanderers sign Karl Henry". Bolton Wanderers F.C. 25 September 2017. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  26. ^ "Bristol City 2–0 Bolton Wanderers". BBC Sport. 26 September 2017.
  27. ^ "Bolton Wanderers: Darren Pratley released as David Wheater has contract extended". BBC Sport. 7 June 2018. Retrieved 7 June 2018.
  28. ^ "Karl Henry: Bradford City sign free agent midfielder on short-term deal". BBC Sport. 23 November 2018.
  29. ^ "Bradford City 2-0 Oxford United". BBC Sport. 24 November 2018.
  30. ^ "Henry leaves Bantams". Bradford City A.F.C. Retrieved 25 December 2018.
  31. ^ Palmer, Jon (5 August 2019). "Former Robins loan midfielder announces retirement". gloucestershirelive.
  32. ^ "Former Bantams and Premier League midfielder retires". Bradford Telegraph and Argus. 6 August 2019.
  33. ^ "Karl Henry: England call will spur Wolves and me on". Sunday Mercury. 20 February 2011. Retrieved 14 February 2012.
  34. ^ "Wolves Academy enter partnership with Boldmere St Michaels". wolves.co.uk. 24 August 2022. Retrieved 9 August 2023.
  35. ^ "QPR midfielder Karl Henry struggling to breathe at Loftus Road". Express. November 2014. Retrieved 23 February 2015.
  36. ^ "Wolves: Relegation 'inexcusable', says club captain Karl Henry". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 February 2015.
  37. ^ "We should welcome Karl Henry joining the political debate, not kick him for being pro-Tory as Stan Collymore did". The Independent. 29 March 2015. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  38. ^ "Games played by Karl Henry in 2000/2001". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  39. ^ a b "Games played by Karl Henry in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  40. ^ "Games played by Karl Henry in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  41. ^ "Games played by Karl Henry in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  42. ^ "Games played by Karl Henry in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  43. ^ "Games played by Karl Henry in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  44. ^ "Games played by Karl Henry in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  45. ^ "Games played by Karl Henry in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  46. ^ "Games played by Karl Henry in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  47. ^ a b "Games played by Karl Henry in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
  48. ^ "Games played by Karl Henry in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
  49. ^ "Games played by Karl Henry in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
  50. ^ "Games played by Karl Henry in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
  51. ^ "Games played by Karl Henry in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
  52. ^ "Games played by Karl Henry in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
  53. ^ "Football Web Pages | Boldmere St Michaels | Appearances | Karl Henry". footballwebpages.co.uk. Retrieved 16 August 2023.