Henderson has one eye on derby day
Stephen Henderson
Stephen Henderson has swerved his Ipswich press ganging.
Now the keeper is relishing the opportunity to renew rivalries with his friends down the M27.
Only this time without being on the receiving end of whisky bottles and coins hurled by Southampton fans.
Pompey continues to represent Henderson’s future.
For how long the club remains in existence in its current format is another matter for concern.
Regardless, the Blues players still have fixtures to fulfil.
The weekend visit of Hull may have fallen foul of the weather but there is a trip to Birmingham tomorrow night.
In a busy February they also have Blackpool, Ipswich, Barnsley and Leeds – in addition to a rearrangement of the Tigers match.
But it is Saturday, April 7 which is very much on Henderson’s mind.
The Irishman was pelted with items from the visiting supporters during December’s south coast derby draw.
He continues to be regularly abused by Southampton supporters on Twitter, describing some comments as ‘horrible’.
Not that it has put Henderson off participating in the return clash scheduled for less than two months’ time.
He savoured every minute of the 1-1 Fratton Park draw which saw Joel Ward equalise late on.
And he is itching to face Pompey’s fierce rivals as soon as possible.
He said: ‘The south coast derby was the best thing I ever witnessed in a game, ever.
‘Oh my God, it will be something I will always remember. I was so lucky to be part of it.
‘It was a bit silly, though. Their fans were throwing stuff at me.
‘I saw them throw stuff at Bristol City players when they played them a few weeks later.
‘I didn’t think they were like that but they must be.
‘A bottle of whisky was thrown onto the pitch when we scored the equaliser – a few coins as well.
‘I suppose it is part and parcel, as long as it didn’t hit me because there could have been a bit of trouble then.
‘I tried to tell the police but it was so loud you just couldn’t talk to anyone really.
‘I did tell the assistant referee but he was beside the fans – and I couldn’t really snitch on them.
‘My girlfriend and her family were over and they were shellshocked.
‘I told them before the game “you won’t believe what you are in for here” and I was right.
‘I’m actually looking forward to the return.
‘Although, I think Fratton would be a better atmosphere than St Mary’s.’
Henderson, along with team-mate Ward, snubbed transfer deadline day moves to Ipswich Town last week.
It was a remarkable display of loyalty from the pair, with Jason Pearce another insistent he didn’t want to leave.
Their willingness to stay at Fratton Park has been applauded by supporters.
But not every football fan has such pleasant things to say about the 24-year-old.
Namely, those from Southampton who at present throw abuse at Henderson rather than bottles and coins.
He added: ‘What has been said on Twitter (by Southampton fans) hasn’t been nice.
‘It just angers me when you’ve got people who feel they can just say something to you and not bite.
‘What has been said has been horrible.
‘But it’s what you are in for when you are on stuff like that (Twitter), so you’ve got to take it on the chin.
‘They chirp up now and again but I just leave them to it.
‘It’s said everybody is a hero behind a keyboard and it is very true.
‘They seem very cocky (on Twitter) about going up.’
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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Comments
There are 58 comments to this article
Page 1 of 4
KPFBlue
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 12:05 AMIf they were throwing things at the Bristol City players.......... I bet they were all aimed at David James ;-)
Laser2866
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 10:55 PM@55....So it's Pompey for the Continent and Scum for the Incontinent....lmao. Sounds about right.
On the up
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 10:39 PMWho is Danny Fox??
Mr Chips
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 05:25 PMComment removed by moderator
Lysander
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 04:05 PMThis forum has now become a total waste of time, its about time the News made some effort to sort it out. This is the reason a lot of people who used to make a sensible comment no longer bother.
Michael50
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 02:44 PMI find aspects of this story hard to believe. Had Scum fans thrown a whisky bottle onto the pitch I'm sure it would have been widely reported. And what does he mean when he says he was going to tell the linesman but didn't want to snitch?? Bizarre if you ask me...
Saggy Chops
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 01:14 PMComment removed by moderator
ozinaus
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 01:05 PMSorry lil I was not having a go at u. I was being very dry with my humour. I emphasized the word liar referring to BC. Sorry if I offended u as that's the last thing I would do to an obvious Pompey devotee. X
pompeylil
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 12:11 PMOz...don't shoot the messenger! Someone asked what AA said in The Times today & this was on SSN site(dated today), so I thought it may contain much the same. I did say it told us nothing new!!!
chimonkey
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 11:29 AMOh my god Matty C, ru still on here boring us with that dull cr*p!!
mensi
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 11:26 AM@ 46 , the story and the photo as Cameron mocked up as john Westwood is hilarious...well worth a look.
ozinaus
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 11:21 AMCome on lil this story is trash. BC said he paid January wages, don't believe everything u read in the papers. next they will suggest he is a LIAR!
ozinaus
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 11:13 AMIts worth going on the news now site and looking at the 'prime minister shows his true colours' story. Quite funny especially the last paragraph.
pompeylil
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 11:10 AMThis is on.SSN site but nothing new!.... Andrew Andronikou admits he is doing everything he can in order to prevent Portsmouth from entering administration. Andronikou, who is the joint-administrator of Portsmouth's parent company Convers Sports Initiatives, claims the future of the Championship club will become clear this week. Pompey failed to pay their players last month and the club have had bank accounts frozen after the issuing of a winding-up petition. And even Prime Minister David Cameron has had his say on the issue, calling for HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to meet with the club to recoup taxes owed. However, HMRC have issued a winding-up petition over unpaid tax, and a High Court hearing is scheduled for later this February. But the South Coast outfit are optimistic they can find a buyer in time to safeguard their future. Andronikou told The Times: "It is a pivotal week. We are doing everything we can to avoid administration. We have got days, not weeks."
truckasaurus
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 11:08 AMSeems the S C U M like throwing things at people.. lets throw hubcaps at OAPs and kids from behind a fence ... PUP
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