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Derby County signed Terry Hennessey from East Midlands rivals Nottingham
Forest in February 1970. The transfer fee of £100,000 was, at the
time, a club record and demonstrated Brian Clough's intention of
assembling a side capable of challenging for the Division One title.
Many Derby fans saw the 27-year old Welsh international as a natural
replacement for the club's inspirational defensive lynchpin Dave Mackay.
However, with Mackay playing on for a further season Hennessey often
appeared in midfield, a role he had occupied with ease at another
Midlands club Birmingham City.
During his second full season, the "Rams"
1971/1972 Championship winning campaign, Hennessey played in just 18
matches including one as a substitute. He was part of a squad, which won
the title using just 16 players over the 42 game schedule. Sadly,
supporters at the Baseball Ground never saw the best of the tall,
versatile Hennessey. Long term knee and achilles tendon problems limited
him to just 79 overall club appearances, injury finally forcing him to
retire in 1973, aged 31. Hennessey's finest hour for the club was the
European Cup game against Benfica at the intimidating Stadium of Light
in 1972. The home side attacked from the outset but Hennessey, operating
in a midfield role in front of the central defence pairing of McFarland
and Todd, was outstanding. His timely challenges and interceptions
blunted numerous Benfica attacks and kept the scoreline blank. a 0-0
draw ensured Derby's progression in the competition, having earlier
trounced the Eusebio led Portuguese side 3-0 on a memorable night at a
rain sodden Baseball Ground.
In the days surrounding Clough and Peter
Taylor's departure from the club, Hennessey, a well respected player,
was the side's PFA representative and did more than most in persuading
his team-mates not to proceed with the strike action which had been
threatened. On his departure from Derby, Hennessey moved into management
with Tamworth before venturing to the United States where he occupyed a
similar role with Tulsa. (Mike Cockayne)
1959–1965 Birmingham City 178 (3)
1965–1970 Nottingham Forest 159 (5)
1970–1973 Derby County 63 (4)
Teams managed.
1974–1978 Tamworth
1978 Tulsa Roughnecks
1978–1980 Shepshed Charterhouse
1980–1981 Tulsa Roughnecks (Assistant coach)
1981–1983 Tulsa Roughnecks
1986–1987 Melbourne Croatia
1987–1988 Heidelberg
In 1983 Hennessey led Tulsa to the NASL championship, winning Soccer Bowl '83 by a 2–0 score over Toronto Blizzard. However, the team's financial instability led him to resign after the season.
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