This is a peculiar tale of one city. It is the story of how an Edinburgh club devastated the dream of a young boy but how two teams in the capital redeemed him.
It is the singular, engrossing sporting history of Blair Henderson. Discarded by Hibernian, he regrouped to be nominated as the GOAT for both Edinburgh City and Spartans. He is the only player to be so honoured in the definitive list of club legends unveiled by Daily Mail Sport this weekend.
At 32, he can look back over two decades in the game that saw him rejected as a boy, struggling as a pro and then finding the status of hero at City and Spartans.
‘I was let go from Hibs when I was 11 or 12,’ he says. ’Either my mum or dad came into my room to tell me. That was tough, especially as a Hibs fan. We were all Hibs fans in the house. I was a season ticket-holder. You think at that point the dream is gone.’
It certainly lay dormant. He went to Dunfermline, Annan, Berwick Rangers and Stirling Albion before pitching up at Edinburgh City in 2018.
‘This is where it all changed. This was the turning point,’ he says. He scored 54 goals in 68 starts at the club. ‘I bounced through a lot of clubs before that, partly through my own choice and partly the clubs’ choice. But I stayed for three seasons at City. That feeling of being at home made a difference.’
Blair Henderson scored 106 goals in 190 appearance for Spartans, helping them into the SPFL
Henderson helped make history at Spartans. He was persuaded in 2021 to drop out of the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) because he believed he could help take the club up from the Lowland League.
The striker played a central role in this rise of the Spartans. His big moment was scoring the penalty at Albion Rovers in May 2023 that saw SPFL status achieved. But he says: ‘There were four weeks up until that game when a lot happened. Winning the Lowland League was a big thing for the club but it was a huge thing for me.
‘It was the first time I had won anything as a team. I had won a lot of individual awards, but nothing else. So that was a first. I scored the winning goal that day against Cowdenbeath.’
Henderson also scored in the two play-off matches against Brechin City. ‘The first game against Brechin was the moment when I thought we could do it. We were down to 10 men and I scored in 90 minutes plus. That gave us the confidence and belief that we could get up.’
Albion Rovers were the final obstacle. ‘We drew the first leg and then we were awarded a penalty in the second leg. I remember stepping up to the penalty and saying: “This is what I came to Spartans for”.’
The ball was despatched into the net and Spartans were into the SPFL. ‘The feeling was more of relief than anything else. The play offs are weird, very pressurised, any mistakes and you are done.’
The aftermath is part of what makes a player a legend at a club.
Henderson says Spartans fans often recognise him in the street and offer to buy him drinks
‘The final whistle was the best feeling I have had in football. There were a lot of people in tears. After the game we jumped straight on the bus — no showers — and headed to Ainslie Park where we changed and went up to a packed hospitality suite. I remember when the bus came into the park the car park was crowded with fans.’
He points out: ‘It is great to be able to bring joy into people’s lives. Saturday is a big part of a supporter’s life and we can make or break it.’
Is he aware of his status as a hero? ‘Well, Spartans fans always stop me and there are places where I will never have to buy a drink,’ he says. ‘It is rare to be able to give something back to fans, so you cherish that.’
Why did he make such a connection with fans at two clubs?
‘The goals help, obviously, you become a focal point when you win games and supporters look back at who scored the goals. A centre-back getting a clean sheet is not as well recognised.’
There is another element, though. Henderson was brought up in a ‘football-mad’ family in the Borders and went to Easter Road every second week. He knows what it is like to be a fan.
‘I always try to interact with supporters when I can, whether that be on the pitch in celebrations or off the park when I meet them. I try to have conversations with them. I believe it is really important to do that. But big goals in big games at big times give you that connection with the fans. They trust you might be the one to come up with that moment.’
Henderson was PFA Scotland’s League Two Player of the Year with Edinburgh City in 2019
Now at Linlithgow Rose in the Lowland League East, Henderson looks back on his capital exploits with satisfaction.
‘I am proud of what I managed in my career because a lot of people don’t make it in football and a lot of people would change their career for mine. I am really appreciative and grateful for that.
‘Could it have been better? Of course. Did I wish it was better? Maybe, yes, by playing at a higher level. I didn’t quite make it to the very top as a full-time player but I am happy and proud with what I have been able to achieve.’
Alongside his playing career, Henderson studied to be an accountant. ‘I have been fully qualified for three or four years. It was tough having to work, play football and study,’ he says.
He has had his rewards in terms of success on the field and regard off it. But he is blunt about the challenges of professional football.
‘There are loads of tough times,’ he says. ‘In fact, more tough times than good times, if I am honest. Certainly in my career that is how I have found it. But the good times do outweigh the bad times when they come.’
He plans to play on for a few years and then will take a break from the game. ‘I have been involved for a long time and it has been full on with playing and work so I will take time away,’ he says.
‘In terms of coaching, I do not think I would be interested in coaching adults but I might want to go into kids’ coaching. I like the idea of helping kids because I want to give back, especially in the Borders where there are not a lot of opportunities in football. It would be nice to help people down here and save parents taking their kids to Edinburgh.’
Henderson in action for Edinburgh City in a League Two clash at Elgin City
It is 20 years since he sat in his bedroom with his hopes in tatters but he has gone on to prosper, achieving his ambitions and fulfilling the dreams of fans. What would be his advice to young players trying to make the same journey?
‘I would tell them: “Don’t let the highs be too high or the lows too low”. Lows can affect you so try to let them go. I would also say: “Always believe in yourself even if things are going badly”. People improve at different speeds. Things can change very quickly in football.’
His professional precision as an accountant is replicated when assessing his football achievements. A prolific scorer of hat tricks, he must have a lot of match balls.
‘Sixteen,’ he answers immediately. ‘I take the match ball every single time. There have been a couple of occasions when that has been quite tricky but I have always managed to take it home.’
They now reside in individual glass cases in his parents’ home. They are a reminder of the good times. But his greatest achievement may be to live on in the memory of two sets of fans. He has made people happy and there is enduring magic in that.
