Bill Henderson – Australia’s best keeper!

Bill Henderson, 2008.

This page is our Bill Henderson page.  Bill played for the club in the mid 1940’s. His under 16 year old team won the competition in 1946 and his team photograph and the trophy are displayed in the clubhouse. Bill played for Australia in the mid 1950’s and was Australia’s first Olyroo as he was the goal keeper for Australia at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics.

The modern version of the club found out about Bill in about 2007, and he has since then been a regular at club presentation days and other special events. Those of us who have got to know him have found him to be one of the those special people who you are glad to have met.

Read this wonderful and richly historical interview from 2008 with Bill and his brother Andy discussing their soccer football careers starting as boys in Granville.

Then below are some historical photos which give you a feel for the person Bill is.

Granville Waratah 1946 U16 Grand Champions – Bill is the keeper
The trophy Bill received for the 1946 Grand Final win. Bill has donated it to the club.
Bill Henderson making his mark in 1954!
Australia’s Best Keeper. Not sure of the date, probably early/mid 1950s
1955 Socceroos team list in a game vs South Africa. Note both Bill and another ex Waratah, Kenny Vairy, were part of the team. Also see some other local big names – R.Marshall (after who Ray Marshall Reserve is named), A Garside (Garside Park) and Bill’s Father Andy is the coach.
Newspaper report on the match against South Africa. Australia might have lost, but have a look about what they say about Bill – “For Twenty Minutes it was South Africa vs Henderson”
The Bill Henderson Award – club award for Sportsmanship