James Henry (footballer) explained

James Henry
Full Name:James Henry[1]
Birth Date:10 June 1989[2]
Birth Place:Reading, England
Currentclub:Aldershot Town
Clubnumber:27
Position:Midfielder
Youthyears1:–2006
Youthclubs1:Reading
Years1:2006–2010
Clubs1:Reading
Caps1:10
Goals1:0
Years2:2007
Clubs2:Nottingham Forest (loan)
Caps2:1
Goals2:0
Years3:2007–2008
Clubs3:AFC Bournemouth (loan)
Caps3:11
Goals3:4
Years4:2008
Clubs4:Norwich City (loan)
Caps4:3
Goals4:0
Years5:2009
Clubs5:Millwall (loan)
Caps5:16
Goals5:3
Years6:2009
Clubs6:Millwall (loan)
Caps6:9
Goals6:5
Years7:2010–2014
Clubs7:Millwall
Caps7:121
Goals7:10
Years8:2013
Clubs8:Wolverhampton Wanderers (loan)
Caps8:11
Goals8:4
Years9:2014–2017
Caps9:99
Goals9:18
Years10:2016–2017
Clubs10:Bolton Wanderers (loan)
Caps10:30
Goals10:1
Years11:2017–2024
Clubs11:Oxford United
Caps11:218
Goals11:51
Years12:2024–
Clubs12:Aldershot Town
Caps12:2
Goals12:1
Nationalyears1:2004
Nationalyears2:2007
Nationalyears3:2007
Nationalyears4:2007–2008
Nationalteam1:Scotland U16
Nationalteam2:England U18
Nationalteam3:Scotland U19
Nationalteam4:England U19
Nationalcaps1:2
Nationalcaps2:1
Nationalcaps3:?
Nationalcaps4:7
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalgoals2:0
Nationalgoals3:?
Nationalgoals4:2
Club-Update:22:56, 17 August 2024 (UTC)

James Henry (born 10 June 1989) is an English footballer who plays as a right winger for National League club Aldershot Town.

A product of the Reading academy, Henry spent loan spells at Nottingham Forest, AFC Bournemouth, Norwich City, and Millwall (twice), before joining Millwall permanently in 2010. He went on to join Wolverhampton Wanderers, helping Wolves to promotion from League One. In 2017, he signed for Oxford United, making over 200 appearances for the club and twice finishing a season as their top scorer. He joined Aldershot Town in August 2024.

Club career

Reading

Henry was born in Reading. He grew up in Woodley, attending Waingels College,[3] and started his playing career at local club Woodley Saints.[4] Henry, a right winger who has also played centre midfield, rose through Reading's youth academy and signed a one-year professional contract with Reading in June 2006. He missed most of the 2005–06 season with a cruciate knee injury. Following limited first-team opportunities during Reading's first season in the Premier League, on 22 March 2007 he joined Nottingham Forest on loan until the end of the 2006–07 season,[5] yet returned to Reading after just three weeks after failing to make an impact. Henry played in just one match, coming on as a late substitute.

Henry finally made his debut for Reading on 24 September 2007, coming on in the 80th minute of a 4–2 home defeat to Liverpool in the third round of the League Cup.[6]

On 2 November 2007 Henry joined AFC Bournemouth on loan until 8 December[7] (later extended to 3 January 2008[8]), and scored two goals on his debut for the club a day later, in a 2–0 victory at Bristol Rovers.[9] He also scored in a 1–1 draw between Bournemouth and Hartlepool.[10] He made another loan move on 31 January 2008, this time joining Championship side Norwich City for three months,[11] but the loan was cut short on 17 March 2008 because of Reading's concern at his lack of first-team action with Norwich.[12]

On 5 March 2008, Henry signed a contract extension with Reading to July 2010.[13]

Henry scored his first competitive goal for Reading on his full debut, on 12 August 2008, with the opening goal in a 2–1 win over Dagenham and Redbridge in the League Cup first round.[14] He scored again in the next round as Reading thrashed Luton 5–1.[15] Then in the next round against Stoke City, he scored twice to bring his tally for that League Cup campaign to four. The game finished 2–2, however, and Henry missed a vital penalty in the shootout as Reading lost.[16]

Henry made his full league debut for Reading on 9 December 2008 against Blackpool, replacing the suspended Jimmy Kébé on the right wing.

Millwall

Henry moved on loan to Millwall on 14 March 2009 on a one-month emergency loan. On his home debut he scored from 35 yards in the last minute to earn his side a 1–1 draw with Swindon Town, and followed it with a penalty away at Cheltenham.

On 10 June, new Reading manager Brendan Rodgers told the local press "I wanted to take James to Chelsea when he was 16. I felt he was a big talent and still is. I thought being around big players and coming into that environment would be a big help in developing his game, but he made the right choice in the end."[17]

On 10 September 2009, Millwall signed Henry on loan for his second spell with the club until the end of the year.[18] On 3 October, Henry scored a hat-trick against Tranmere Rovers for Millwall.[19] He then went on to score the stoppage time winner, a long-range free kick, in a 2–1 victory over Colchester at the Den. His loan spell finished when he was injured and returned to Reading.

On 28 July 2010, Henry signed for Millwall on a permanent basis, signing a three-year contract.[20] On his home debut against Hull City, he set up all four goals in a 4–0 victory.[21] He scored his first goal as a permanent signing for Millwall against Scunthorpe United, in a 3–0 win.

Wolverhampton Wanderers

On 1 October 2013 Henry moved on loan to Wolverhampton Wanderers of League One, where he reunited with his former Millwall manager Kenny Jackett. His loan lasted until January 2014 but was with a view to it becoming a permanent transfer.[22] Henry scored four times during 13 loan appearances for the club, before it was announced on 31 December 2013 that a permanent two-and-a-half-year deal would be confirmed when the January transfer window opened.[23]

Henry was part of the Wolves team that won the League One title with a record points tally and remained a regular member of the team over the following two seasons. In 2015, he signed a new contract until summer 2017 (with the option of a further year).[24] He was released at the end of his contract.[25]

Bolton Wanderers (loan)

On 31 August 2016 Henry was loaned to League One side Bolton Wanderers until January 2017.[26] Three days later he made his Bolton debut as the club came from behind to draw 1–1 with Southend United at the Macron Stadium.[27] He scored his first goal for Bolton in a 2–1 win against Scunthorpe United on 31 December 2016.[28] On 6 January 2017 his loan at Bolton was extended until the end of the season.[29]

Oxford United

On 12 July 2017, Henry signed for League One club Oxford United.[30] He made his debut as a substitute against Oldham Athletic in the opening match of the 2017–18 season, which ended in a 2–0 away victory for Oxford.[31] He scored his first goal for Oxford in an EFL Trophy tie against Stevenage on 29 August 2017,[32] and his first League goal in a 3–1 defeat to Blackpool on 16 September.[33] He finished the 2017–18 season with 11 goals (10 in the league), joint top-scorer alongside Wes Thomas.[34]

In 2018–19 he was top scorer for the club, with 15 goals (11 in the league).[35] He signed a new two-year deal in October 2019,[36] and went on to score 14 goals (12 in the league) in the 2019–20 season, one fewer in all competitions than Matty Taylor, the club's leading scorer.

During 2023 Henry suffered a succession of injuries but recovered to make his 600th senior appearance against Cambridge United on December 26.[37] He ended up making 14 league appearances that season, at the end of which Oxford were promoted to the EFL Championship through the play-offs, but at the end of the 2023–24 season he was released.[38]

Aldershot Town

On 3 August 2024, Henry joined National League club Aldershot Town following his release from Oxford.[39] On 10 August he scored on his Shots debut against Forest Green Rovers, having come on as substitute.[40]

International career

Henry has played for Scotland U19s (for whom he qualifies through his parents) and England U18s, and was called up to the England U19 squad on 11 September 2007.[41]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Reading2006–07Premier League0000000000
2007–08Premier League0000100010
2008–09Championship70103400114
2009–10Championship3010200060
Total100206400184
Nottingham Forest (loan)2006–07League One1000000010
AFC Bournemouth (loan)2007–08League One114000000114
Norwich City (loan)2007–08Championship3000000030
Millwall (loan)2008–09League One16300002[42] 0183
Millwall (loan)2009–10League One9500000095
Millwall2010–11Championship425103000465
2011–12Championship390402000450
2012–13Championship354411000405
2013–14Championship5000100060
Total121991700013710
Wolverhampton Wanderers (loan)2013–14League One11410001[43] 0134
Wolverhampton Wanderers2013–14League One216000000216
2014–15Championship375201000405
2015–16Championship397102000427
2016–17Championship2000200040
Total991830500010718
Bolton Wanderers (loan)2016–17League One301310020352
Oxford United2017–18League One42101010414811
2018–19League One44114230525615
2019–20League One30122131303814
2020–21League One37700105[44] 0437
2021–22League One267100010287
2022–23League One252201010292
2023–24League One142100030182
Total218511139121325958
Career total52996295275263611109

Honours

Wolverhampton Wanderers

2013–14[45]

Bolton Wanderers

Oxford United

2024[46]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Notification of shirt numbers: Oxford United . English Football League . 51 . 24 September 2020.
  2. Book: Barry J. . Hugman . The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2009–10 . 2009 . Mainstream Publishing . Edinburgh . 978-1-84596-474-0.
  3. News: 1 February 2008 . Pearce and Henry must perform . . 22 February 2009.
  4. News: 2 November 2010 . Woodley Saints History.
  5. News: 22 March 2007 . James Henry joins Forest in loan switch . Reading F.C. . 22 March 2007 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080927092454/http://www.readingfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10306~1000392%2C00.html . 27 September 2008.
  6. News: 26 September 2007 . Clockwatch: Reading 2–4 Liverpool . Reading F.C. . 27 September 2007 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080927092504/http://www.readingfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10306~1120519%2C00.html . 27 September 2008.
  7. News: 2 November 2007 . Cherries Finalise Loan Swoop . AFC Bournemouth . 2 November 2007 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20071219204831/http://www.afcb.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10324~1158411%2C00.html . 19 December 2007.
  8. News: 12 December 2007 . Trio extend loan stints . Reading F.C. . 12 December 2007 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20071213133012/http://www.readingfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10306~1189180%2C00.html . 13 December 2007.
  9. News: Bristol Rovers 0–2 Bournemouth. BBC Sport. 3 November 2007. 27 October 2009.
  10. News: Hartlepool 1–1 Bournemouth. BBC Sport. 18 November 2007. 27 October 2009.
  11. News: 31 January 2008 . Royals duo make City loan . Reading F.C. . 31 January 2008 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080201034039/http://www.readingfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10306~1229805%2C00.html . 1 February 2008.
  12. News: 17 March 2008 . Henry back after Norwich loan . Reading F.C. . 17 March 2008 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080318232607/http://www.readingfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10306~1267692%2C00.html . 18 March 2008.
  13. News: 5 March 2008 . Henry signs until 2010 . Reading F.C. . 5 March 2008 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080307001930/http://www.readingfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10306~1257524%2C00.html . 7 March 2008.
  14. News: Dagenham & Redbridge 1–2 Reading. BBC Sport. 12 August 2008. 27 October 2009.
  15. News: Reading 5–1 Luton. BBC Sport. 26 August 2008. 27 October 2009.
  16. News: Stoke 2–2 Reading (aet). BBC Sport. 23 September 2008. 10 December 2013.
  17. News: 10 June 2009 . Reading boss: Henry is ready to explode . Reading Post . 18 June 2009.
  18. News: 10 September 2009 . Millwall re-sign Henry on loan . . 11 September 2009.
  19. News: Millwall 5–0 Tranmere . BBC Sport . 3 October 2009 . 5 May 2010.
  20. Web site: Henry the sixth . Millwall F.C. . 1 August 2022 . 6 April 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120406133229/http://www.millwallfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10367~2104397,00.html . dead.
  21. Web site: Millwall 4 Hull 0 . 14 August 2010 . Millwall F.C. . https://web.archive.org/web/20100817035204/http://www.millwallfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10367~2122493,00.html . 17 August 2010.
  22. News: James Henry: Wolves' Kenny Jackett brings in Millwall loan man. BBC Sport. 1 October 2013.
  23. News: James Henry: Wolves to sign Millwall winger permanently. BBC Sport. 31 December 2013.
  24. News: James Henry signs new deal. Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. 24 September 2015.
  25. Web site: Contract decisions revealed. Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C . 19 May 2017.
  26. Web site: Bolton Wanderers: Ben Alnwick, Sammy Ameobi, James Henry and Keshi Anderson sign. 31 August 2016 . BBC Sport. 31 August 2016.
  27. Web site: Match Report: Bolton Wanderers 1-1 Southend United. 3 September 2016. 3 September 2016. Bolton Wanderers FC. https://web.archive.org/web/20160916114654/http://www.bwfc.co.uk/fixtures-results/match-report/?matchid=3925520&tcmuri=3154275. 16 September 2016. dead.
  28. News: Bolton 2-1 Scunthorpe. BBC Sport. 31 December 2016. 9 January 2017.
  29. Web site: Wanderers extend James Henry loan deal. 6 January 2017. 6 January 2017. Bolton Wanderers FC.
  30. Web site: James Henry: Former Wolves midfielder joins Oxford. BBC Sport. 12 July 2017.
  31. Web site: Oldham Athletic 0 Oxford United 2 . Oxford United F.C. . 5 August 2017 . 5 August 2017.
  32. Web site: Stevenage 2-6 Oxford as The U's rout young Boro side . thecomet.net . 29 August 2017 . 30 August 2017.
  33. News: My goal means nothing, says James Henry after defeat . Oxford Mail . David . Pritchard . 18 September 2017 . 18 September 2017.
  34. Web site: Top scorers: Oxford United 2017–18 (League One) . Sports Mole . 8 June 2018.
  35. Web site: James Henry: Midfielder . Oxford United F.C. . 1 August 2022.
  36. Web site: James Henry Signs New Deal . 25 October 2019 . Oxford United F.C. . 1 August 2022.
  37. Web site: 600 Games for James Henry . 27 December 2023 . Oxford United F.C. . 23 May 2024.
  38. Web site: Oxford United Announce Retained List . 23 May 2024 . Oxford United F.C. . 23 May 2024.
  39. News: NEW SIGNING: James Henry . Aldershot Town F.C. . 3 August 2024 . 3 August 2024.
  40. News: Aldershot Town draw six-goal thriller against Forest Green Rovers on opening day of National League season . Tom . White . 13 August 2024 . Farnham Herald . Tindle Newspapers Ltd. . 14 August 2024.
  41. News: 11 September 2007 . Henry nets England call-up . Reading F.C. . 11 September 2007 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080927092459/http://www.readingfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10306~1109841%2C00.html . 27 September 2008.
  42. Appearances in League One play-offs
  43. Appearances in Football League Trophy
  44. Appearances in EFL Trophy and League One play-offs
  45. Web site: J. Henry . Soccerway . Perform Group . 17 February 2024.
  46. News: Bolton Wanderers 0–2 Oxford United: Line-ups . BBC Sport . 18 May 2024 . 23 May 2024.