Goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 38, ending an incredible international career that saw him earn 109 caps and represent his country at three major tournaments.
Born in Bangor, Hennessey came through the youth ranks at Manchester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers and played for his country at U17, U19 and U21 level before making his senior debut under John Toshack against New Zealand in Wrexham in 2007. Hennessey quickly established himself as the first-choice keeper and played a key role in the success of what would become Chris Coleman’s golden generation.
Hennessey played in every EURO 2016 qualifier as Cymru reached their first major tournament for 58 years but would miss the opening game against Slovakia in Bordeaux after suffering a back spasm on the morning of the match. However, he recovered to start the next five games at the tournament as Cymru defied the odds to reach the semi-finals.
As a youngster Hennessey idolised former Cymru goalkeeper Neville Southall and would later eclipse his appearance record and the number of clean sheets he kept for his country. In September 2020, Hennessey kept a record 35th clean sheet for Cymru in a 1-0 UEFA Nations League victory over Finland and would make his 109th and final appearance in the 4-0 win over Gibraltar in Wrexham, the same stadium where he made his senior debut.
Hennessey was part of the Cymru squad at EURO 2020 but did not feature with Danny Ward established as the number one choice at that time, but he would play a significant role in Cymru qualifying for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Facing Ukraine in the play-off final in Cardiff, Hennessey had the game of his life as he made nine crucial saves while Gareth Bale scored the decisive goal in the 1-0 win to take Cymru to their first World Cup since 1958.
“These are what dreams are made of – this is the top,” said Hennessey as the celebrations began after the match. “It was the best game I’ve played in a Wales shirt. So, what a time to do it and we’re going to a World Cup. As a boy growing up you watch all the Wales games, and we never used to get to major tournaments. So, to go to the World Cup is unbelievable.”
A relation of former Cymru defender Terry Hennessey, the towering goalkeeper enjoyed a long club career as he represented Wolverhampton Wanderers, Crystal Palace, Burnley and Nottingham Forest in the English Premier League, making over 300 appearances across the top three divisions of the English Football League. Hennessey was also a Championship title winner with Wolves in 2008/09 and a runner-up in the FA Cup with Crystal Palace in 2015/16.
A proud and passionate Welshman, Hennessey was a popular figure with the squad and the Red Wall for almost two decades and will be remembered for his contribution to what the team achieved in France at EURO 2016 and his performance against Ukraine that ended a 64 year wait for World Cup qualification.
“Having been born and raised in North Wales it was always my dream to play at the highest level,” said Hennessey in his retirement statement. “It was a privilege to play in the Premier League and for my country over 100 times. The summer of 2016 was the pinnacle of my career having made the FA Cup Final with Palace and the semi-finals of the Euros with my beloved Wales.”
