Former Blackburn Rovers star's wife dies, aged 42 (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Former Blackburn Rovers star's wife dies, aged 42

5:10pm Friday 10th July 2009 in

By Tyrone Marshall » Reporter

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FORMER Blackburn Rovers defender Colin Hendry's wife has died.

Denise Hendry, 42, had spent 11 weeks in intensive care at Salford Royal Hospital for several weeks suffering from a serious infection.

The Hendrys, who had been together for more than 20 years, have four children - Rheagan, Kyle, Calum and Niamh, aged between 19 and nine.

Hendry, 43, the ex-Manchester City and Rangers central defender, had been at her bedside throughout the ordeal.

Hendry, from Keith, Morayshire, played 51 times for Scotland and captained his country at the 1998 World Cup in France.

”Words cannot describe the desolation we feel,” Hendry said.

”Denise was the shining light in our lives and today that light has gone out.

"She had battled bravely after her liposuction procedure had gone appallingly wrong.

”Further corrective surgery in Preston Infirmary had not been successful and we were hopeful the operation she went in to Salford Royal for would be a success.

"Tragically she caught an infection which despite further surgery she has succumbed to.

”I cannot begin to imagine life without her, but we are a strong and devoted family and somehow, if only for Denise’s sake, we will get through.

”At this very emotional time I would ask that our privacy is respected and we are given time to grieve.”

Current Rovers manager Sam Allardyce signed Hendry for Bolton in 2001.

He said: “In the time I knew them it was clear they were a fantastic family, it is such a tragedy.

“She was a really bubbly character and a very very nice person, and it was clear Colin loved her so much.

"It will be a great loss for him and his family.”

Hendry had two spells at Rovers. The first began in 1987 when he was signed by then manager Don Mackay, who said the news had come as a shock.

“I’ve got a very upset wife next to me and it’s all come as a bit of a shock to us,” he said.

“I feel so sorry for Colin and the family. She was a lovely person and they were such a great couple.

“I’ve known Colin since he was a young lad because I was his manager at Dundee and then I brought him down to Blackburn.

"Me and my wife were invited to their wedding.

“They were still a young couple in many ways. People talked about Colin, but it was always Colin and Denise.

“I will try to ring Colin and if there’s absolutely anything I can do to help, then he has my number.”

Jack Straw, Blackburn MP, knew the family and said Colin was totally devoted to Denise.

He said: “I know from recent conversations how devoted Colin was to her.

"It is awful news for the family, for Colin and for their children.

“People tend to put footballers on a pedestal and idolise their glamorous lifestyle, but they suffer the same tragedy and heartache as the rest of us.”

Hendry joined Rovers for a second spell between 1991 and 1998, and was a regular when the club won the Premier League title in 1995.

Kenny Dalglish, who was Rovers manager for most of Hendry’s second stint, said: “I was desperately sorry to hear the sad news about Denise.

“My thoughts and prayers are with Colin and his family at this very sad time.”

Tim Sherwood, who captained Rovers to the title, said Denise had always been magnificent support for Colin.

“He was a great player and a lot of that is down to the support she gave him, she was always right behind him,” he said.

“They were a great family and a really close-knit family.”

Tim Flowers was the goalkeeper in the title-winning side.

He said: “It is a really sad day and it is horrendous for the family to have to go through something like this.

“She mixed in with all the wives at Blackburn and everyone got on really well.

"She was a lovely person and they were such a great couple.

“The whole community in Blackburn and at the football club will be shocked by the news.”

Rovers managing director Tom Finn said: “Everyone connected with the club is deeply saddened by the news of Denise’s passing.

“It is tragic that someone so young should be taken from us in this way and it goes without saying that our thoughts are very much with Colin and his family at this deeply distressing time.”

The couple lived in a house in Ribchester Road, Wilpshire, during Hendry’s time at Blackburn, while their children attended Salesbury CE Primary School, Lovely Hall Lane.

Scottish Football Association chief executive Gordon Smith said: “This is devastating news for Colin and his family.

"The thoughts of everyone at the Scottish FA and, I am sure, everyone associated with the game here in Scotland are with them at this tragic time.”

If you would like to send your condolences to Colin Hendry and his family, please add your comments below.

Comments(75)

Morst the 88th min Heartbreaker of Dingles! says...
3:10pm Fri 10 Jul 09

Our sympathy's are with you Braveheart.

If you had not stuck your head on the floor to head the ball at Everton in the Championship season we could well have finished second.