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 Stormcocks. Known as a strong shooting inside-forward, he adapted 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 Doncaster Rovers. 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 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. He had only managed two games for United, curiously as a right-winger, before the outbreak of the Second World War 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 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 to in December 1951. Shortly after he arrived at the Shay he was appointed player-coach and then had a spell as player-manager until 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.