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For a man who would go on to earn a reputation as one of the best
centre-halves in the Premiership, Edward Colin James Hendry's career
ironically began as a centre-forward for Dundee in 1983. Four years
later he moved south to Blackburn where he stayed for a further two and a
half years before becoming the subject of a £700, 000 transfer to City
on November 10th 1989. Hendry turned out to be manager Mel Machin's last
purchase at Maine Road. Within a month of Colin's debut in City's
colours (a disappointing 3-0 defeat at home to Nottingham Forest) Machin
had been replaced in the 'hot seat' by Howard Kendall. Despite this
managerial change the six-foot plus Scottish international was an ever
present for the final 23 League games that term. His physical presence,
tough tackling and heading abilities shone through in every game, making
it impossible for anyone in charge to even contemplate leaving him out
of the starting line-up. The fans took to him immediately and even
though he played just over half of the 1989/90 season they voted him
Player of the Year at the end of it.
Those 23 games also produced four
goals, a figure bettered only by three other players as City finished in
14th place in Division One. In 1990/91 Colin played a total of 40
games, scoring three more goals with arguably his best being the third
in a 3-3 draw with neighbours United in November. Although City finished
5th that term, new manager Peter Reid still spent £2.5 million in the
close season on another centre-half, Keith Curle from Wimbledon. Bearing
in mind Hendry's consistency over the previous campaigns this surprised
many supporters and it soon became clear the writing was on the wall
for the popular Scot. After just one start (a 3-2 Full Members' Cup loss
at Sheffield Wednesday, ironically when he scored twice) and seven
substitute appearances in 1991/92, Hendry found himself returning to
Ewood Park on November 8th for the same fee as City had paid out for
him. His playing career at Maine Road consisted of 10 goals from 70/7
appearances. After winning the Premiership with Blackburn, Hendry had a
successful spell with Rangers and later played for Coventry, Bolton and
Blackpool. (Ian Penney - author of the Legends of Manchester City)
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