Blast from the Past - Lee Hendrie

Today's Blast from the Past is former Aston Villa stalwart Lee Hendrie, Lee made 251 appearances for Villa spanning twelve years. After being released from Villa Park in 2007 Hendrie has been the definition of a journey man playing for twelve clubs in four years with a spell in Indonesia in 2011. Hendrie is back in England now days playing for Tamworth in the conference league. Hendrie was offered to A - League clubs two seasons ago but all clubs declined the offer as they thought he was too old for the competition. Lee has had his fair share of off field incidents and issues with the latest coming this year as he was declared bankrupt by the English High Court. At the age of 35 Lee Hendrie looks set to retire in the lower leagues of English football.

All the best for the rest of your career Lee.

Transfer Gossip

Heres todays transfer news & gossip from around the world.

- Man City WILL NOT sell Mario Balotelli in January.

- Seattle Sounders will extend the contract of star striker Eddie Johnson after a stellar season scoring 14 goals.

- Raheem Sterling is all but agreed to terms with Liverpool on a huge 6 year deal.

- Liverpool are leading the race to sign Paul Ince's son Thomas.

- Inter star Wesley Sneijder has no desire to move away from Italy he is using possible interest from Manchester United and City to increase his pay day.

- De Rossi will again knock back offers from Manchester City to stay with Roma in January

- Former Serie A star Adriano was offered to A - League clubs last year but clubs were put off by his 2m a year salary demand.

Blast from the Past - Michael Baird

Back to the A - League for today's Blast from the past with former Roar, Glory and Mariners attacker Michael Baird. Bairdy as he is known was signed by the Roar for the inaugural A - League season in 2005. Bairdy scored six goals in fourteen games which caught the eye of Romanian Club FC Universitatea Craiova whom he signed for the following season. Bairdy spent three solid years in Romania before returning home to join Perth Glory. Since then he has been somewhat of a journey man including a short stint with the Mariners before jetting off to the Malaysian Premier League. Michael's contract has finished in the Malaysian capital and he is currently in between clubs. A return to Asia has been mooted.

Thankfully his rats tail no longer exists.

Blast from the Past - Claudio Reyna

Today's Blast from the Past is something a little different in former USA captain and Premier League star Claudio Reyna. Claudio had a long and illustrious career spanning 14 years and four countries, Claudio arguably paved the way for American players to make the leap into European football. He made 111 appearances for the National team and finished his career back in the MLS with New York Red Bulls. Post football Claudio is busy running the Claudio Reyna Foundation, a non-profit organisation which provides soccer training and mentoring to underprivileged youth around the United States. 

Congratulations Claudio on a fantastic career.

REMEMBERING GARY SPEED

November, A month where Christmas is nearing and Men across the world are sporting long bushy moustaches In support of Men’s Prostate Cancer and Mental Health. While It Is a season to be Jolly and jovial, It is also a stark reminder of just how serious these ailments are. On this day exactly 1 year ago, the Football community was dealt a harsh blow when Legendary Welsh Footballer Gary Speed died at the age of 42. On the anniversary of his passing, it’s important to take a moment to, not only reflect on a fantastic career, but also to reflect on issues like mental health and depression. Gary Speed’s death left a huge hole in the Football World, a moment which we will never forget. Tributes flowed in from all parts of the world and a minute’s silence was observed in a number of matches throughout Britain. But as the matches kicked off and the season rolled on, many fans, friends and family were left bewildered and inevitably asking questions. What could possibly cause a man, who seemingly had it all, to do something so horrific? 

Football is a Rollercoaster world, when you’re on top, you’re untouchable, but when you’re not, it’s Hell. In countries where Football Is Life, sometimes the pressures run so deep, it becomes a matter of life or death. Former Colombian Footballer Andreas Escobar was fatally shot after an own goal sent his country crashing out of the 1994 World Cup. Justin Fashanu, who gained considerable fame back in the Early 1980’s, was another victim of the pressures and prejudices within the Football community. In an era where being a Gay Footballer was extremely Taboo, He found himself constantly at odds with, not only his coach, but other Footballers as well. This ultimately led to his untimely death in 1998 after an allegation was made against him by a 17 year old boy, who claimed Fashanu had Sexually assaulted him. Fashanu was found hanged in a deserted garage on May 3, 1998, Much like Gary Speed’s death in 2011. So my next question is this, why are Footballers constantly living there lives on a knife edge? It is not uncommon for Footballers to receive Death threats at one time or another during their career. Even a superstar like David Beckham was subject to such backlash and hate back in 1998. After receiving a Red Card during a match against Argentina, Beckham was the fuel for all English fans fury. A burning effigy of Beckham was displayed outside English Pubs across the country. Maybe it’s time to, as Michael Jackson once said; take a look at the Man in the Mirror. Maybe we should examine ourselves before we see a change in these types of incidences. Could Gary Speed’s death have been prevented, maybe/maybe not. But maybe we can also do our bit by choosing the way we act or treat our top stars in the game. Maybe we should take a step back and look at the overall picture rather than the 90 minutes on the field. So Instead of getting caught up in the heat of the moment, we should instead think before we crucify our heroes.  

To the best of my knowledge there was nothing particularly dark, heinous or controversial about Gary Speed’s life on and off the park. He was a real tough and uncompromising player who led by example. He was also the sort of player who received little fanfare or attention away from Football. In an era where Footballers are more often spoken about in the tabloids for there off field antics, Gary Speed was the total opposite. Rather he was a family man, a real man’s man in the old fashioned sense. While his death is shrouded in mystery and, to a lesser extent intrigue, I have opted to remember the wonderful memories Gary left us on the field. My memories are of a man who, Every Monday night, would enter my living room and show everyone why he was one of the longest serving Footballers in English Premier League History. Those are moments which I will always treasure and ones which I am truly grateful for and will never forget. R.I.P Gary Speed.

Transfer Gossip

- Arsenal are interested in taking Stuart Downing off Liverpools hands in January.

- NY Red Bulls are ready to release Rafa Marquez from his contract to free up room in the salary cap.

- Everton are on the search for a new goalkeeper with names such as Artur Boruc and Philadelphia Union star Zac Macmath being thrown around.

- Darren Bent has been told that he is only a squad player at Aston Villa, expect bids from QPR in January.

- Sydney FC are close to making a decision after GVE knocked back their offer. Frank Farina is the most likely local option with the overseas option still a chance as the primary candidate having Premier League experience.

- Former NSL powerhouse South Melbourne are scouting the country to boost their squad for next season. Their long term goal is to take Melbourne Heart's spot as the second Melbourne team in the A League .

Blast from the past - Andy Todd

Sunday's Blast from the past is former Perth Glory and ex Premier League defender Andy Todd. Andy made only 25 appearances for the Glory but was an integral part of the team for the boys from the west. Andy was voted the club's "Most Glorious Player" for the 2009 - 2010 season, and was tipped to sign a two year contract extension with the club but under strange circumstances no deal eventuated and Andy was released. Andy returned home to England with lower league sides Oldham and Hereford before being released by Hereford after just four games. 

He is currently a free agent.....