Tyrone Henry: A Changing Attitude

He will be welcomed back with open arms but will he be able to perform to expectations? There's the question. Returning to England is a significant change from the MLS.

Saturday, 13th April 2013

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Tyrone Henry was back at Wembley Stadium again and could almost taste another FA Cup Final trip with Millwall awaiting him.

However, two goals down in the 86th minute to Wigan Athletic - who were chasing their first-ever FA Cup Final appearance - the hope seemed to be lost.

Shaun Maloney and Callum McManaman had ensured a miserable day in the capital for Kenny Jackett’s team with Millwall now only seeking to save themselves from going more goals down.

As Henry played a pass out wide to James Henry, a roar went up in the crowd. The pass wasn’t as magnificent to warrant that amount of noise, so much so that Tyrone’s attention turned from the match to the stands where he immediately spotted a commotion.

He couldn’t focus on it for too long, though, as Millwall were dispossessed by Maynor Figueroa who tried to play a ball long to the first goalscorer Shaun Maloney. The Scottish international was not able to keep the ball in play as it ran out of touch for a goal kick.

The break in play allowed Tyrone and everybody else on both teams to assess the ongoing situation in the crowd as play all but stopped as David Forde took his time to retrieve the ball.

Tyrone wasn’t very clued up on the segregation of fans in the stadium and he knew that Millwall fans have had a history of fighting among themselves in the stands. However, this looked much more violent and he quickly realised that the two sets of fans were fighting.

Although Henry should have been embarrassed by the fans’ actions, he was rather entertained as the chant “No One Likes Us, We Don’t Care'' rang out from the Millwall section of Wembley. Henry smiled to himself as this was exactly the sort of quality that America was missing: Passion.

As the captain of the team in an FA Cup Final, Tyrone knew that he would have to detach the team from the troublemakers to the press but deep down, Henry recognised those fans as the same people who love him as a player and make him feel welcome everywhere, so he would never slam them in any circumstance.

As play carried on on the field, Tyrone caught a glimpse of fluorescent yellow jackets of the police flooding through the Wembley Stadium entrances.

Millwall went on to lose 2-0 in the FA Cup Final, but they had certainly won in the stands.

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Seb: Indeed, a lot of the excitement has been sucked out of the league for a middling team like Millwall in the Championship. That's why they have to get their kicks in the stands on FA Cup Semi-Final day
Scott: Fortunately, he didn't spend too long in America, therefore making it easier to re-adapt to his surroundings in the UK. I doubt he'll ever get to play alongside someone like Thierry Henry again, though!

A shame to lose the game but Tyrone has found what he was missing in America and he will take that as a win in itself.

funny how Tyrone is frequently at the margins of history, but never actually in there

Saturday, 15th April 2015

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As the referee blew the whistle, it was the end of Millwall’s time in the Championship and the end of Tyrone Henry’s playing career.

A late Jeff Hendrick volley brought Derby County level to 3-3 at The Den in Millwall’s final home fixture and with Rotherham’s draw against Norwich City, they were confirmed as relegated.

Normally the fans would pour out of the stadium to drink their sorrows after a bad result or a relegation, but due to today’s significance of Tyrone Henry’s last match as a football player, the Millwall fans stayed in to see a club legend off.

After the final whistle, Tyrone collapsed to the ground and laid back, covering his eyes with his mind telling him he should’ve done more to stop the relegation to League One - but in reality, the team failed, not just Tyrone.

Current Millwall caretaker manager and fellow club legend Neil Harris was the one to hoist his former teammate back onto his feet. Once Tyrone was standing, the two embraced. Tyrone had been brought back by Kenny Jackett during testing times for the club and Harris had been thrown into a horrible situation in his first experience as a manager.

The pair went around together, stopping at the Barry Kitchener Stand as fans flocked to the front to share their emotions with the two club heroes at this time of despair.

“Your playing career might be over, but you’re always loved and welcomed here mate!” one fan cried out as he pointed towards Henry.

“You two, absolute legends, the pair of you - we all love you here!” another said as he shook their hands.

Tyrone and Neil spent about 45 minutes on the pitch speaking to fans and signing shirts before heading down the tunnel.

“Tyrone,” Harris said as he put his arm around Henry. “Berylson spoke to me when I took over from Holloway and we’ve been catching up since. He’s said that I’m taking the job permanently for the next season.”

Tyrone turned to Harris. “Really? Congratulations mate!” he responded, shaking his hand.

“Yeah, so I’ll be needing some assistance, obviously, it is a big job after all,” Harris stopped before the dressing room. “That basically means that there is a vacancy for the Under 21s Manager, and being the shot-caller now I’d like to put you on a quick coaching course and get you stuck in there. You in?”

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Seb: Just being back at Millwall seemed to tick the box for him.
Tango: The definition of a nearly man!

Nice, a Championship story! Always been my dream to catch a game in England, hope to do it with Anderlecht for an European game!

OT: Nice to see the Milwall fans always got their loyalty, as someone not of the Islands my view of Milwall is mostly of that one movie made off, wasn't really the best view of it, am I right?

Good luck!

Thursday, 3rd October 2019

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Neil Harris has today stepped down from his role as manager of Millwall Football Club.

Harris took over as manager in 2015 and during his time in charge oversaw two trips to Wembley, one promotion and two runs to the FA Cup Quarter-Finals, and has also steadily re-established Millwall as a Championship club. His status as a Lions legend, both as its all-time leading goalscorer and now one of its most successful managers, is secure.

John Berylson said: “Firstly I would like to place on record my sincere gratitude to Neil for all of his hard work, commitment, determination and inarguable success as manager of this great football club.

“During his time in charge we have achieved so much and so many of his greatest moments as manager will live long in the memory of all Millwall fans fortunate to have seen and enjoyed them.

“Neil’s achievements ensure that he is listed alongside some of the club’s greatest-ever managers, furthering his legendary standing at Millwall.

“Alongside his coaching staff, Neil worked tirelessly to establish a culture both on and off the pitch which was befitting of the club’s history and heritage and this has undoubtedly been achieved. He has laid tremendous foundations from which the club can continue to build on in the months and years ahead.

“Neil’s name is synonymous with Millwall and he has always had the very best interests of the club at heart, managing with great pride, honour and integrity, and he departs with the best wishes of everyone connected with The Lions.

“Neil leaves with his head held high, forever a friend of the club, and I wish him every success in his future career. He will always be welcome at The Den.”

The club will now conduct a thorough recruitment process for a new manager.

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Wolf: I’m very excited! And yes, Millwall fans aren’t really known for their good behaviour...

considering this is a story about Tyrone Henry I'd be really surprised if they'd chose someone else

From Tyrone picking Harris up following the FA Cup loss in 2004 to Harris picking him up following relegation, great to see the pair come full circle and Tyrone having a way in to the coaching world. I wonder if his work with the Under 21s will have done enough to get him a crack at the first team job.

Really feeling Tryone his life, beautiful piece of writing here mate

Saturday, 25th July 2020

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Tyrone finally got back home from his Saturday morning run at 10AM. Ever since he finished his footballing career five years ago, he became determined to never lose his physique.

He took his trainers off and reached for the orange juice in the fridge. As he reached for a glass, Tyrone felt his phone buzzing in his pocket. It was Steve Kavanagh, Millwall’s Chief Executive Officer.

It was a very strange call to receive regardless, Kavanagh rarely ever called him nor even spoke to him much in person given that Tyrone’s position was on the training field and sidelines and Steve’s was in the boardroom. To receive a call on a Saturday suggested that something was urgent.

“Good morning, Tyrone speaking,” Tyrone said down the phone.

“Good morning Tyrone, it’s Steve Kavanagh from Millwall here,” Steve greeted him. “How are you doing?”

Tyrone said he was doing fine and repeated the question back to Steve until the pleasantries were over which was when he took a seat on his sofa holding his orange juice, placing Steve on speakerphone.

“I might need you to come into the office today, Tyrone. Rowett has resigned.” Steve sighed. “Reckon you would be able to make it?”

The call ended and Tyrone got into his Range Rover to make his way across to The Den.

After achieving an 8th placed finish last season, Millwall’s manager Gary Rowett had resigned after 278 days in the job. Steve Kavanagh said that the reasons for his premature departure were ‘personal reasons’ as his father had just been diagnosed with a serious illness.

“Obviously, I got the call last night from Rowett,” Kavanagh said as he sat Henry down opposite him. “The reason why I’m calling you is not to come in on a caretaker capacity.”

Tyrone sat back, slightly confused at why he was being brought in if not for a caretaker manager role.

“I actually spoke to Neil Harris for a bit of advice because it did catch me a little off-guard. He recommended that I offer you the job. He said that some of the work that you’ve done with the Under-21s and the youth system - as well as your relationship with the fans - makes you an ideal candidate,” Kavanagh said.

“I can see what you’ve done over the years on the youth side of things and I have to say, I’m just as impressed.

“I’ve consulted the board and certain other stakeholders and I realise how much a shock it might be for you, but we would like to offer you two years to do what you want with the first-team, £12,250 per week.”

Tyrone came out with much more than he was expecting, without even asking for it. He would assume control of the squad upon their return to training the following Monday.

Kavanagh laid out some specific targets, such as a desire to finish in the top half of the Championship as well as a bit of advancement in the FA Cup. Tyrone was so full of ambition that he wanted to seize whatever opportunity he was given at Millwall - he didn’t take over the youth team without the view to first team management at some point.

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Tango: It seems like he is finally the man!
Seb: Millwall have done well with internal hires so far, it seems to be heading that way again after Rowett
Wolf: Thank you mate! Appreciate it

Time for Tyrone to show what he’s capable of. Very much hoping for a nice FA Cup run at some point to match his playing time at the club!

Monday, 27th July 2020

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Championship club Millwall have named club legend Tyrone Henry as their new manager.

The 40-year-old former Queens Park Rangers, Millwall, Blackpool and NY Red Bulls midfielder succeeds Gary Rowett, who resigned on 24th July due to personal reasons.

Adam Barrett - who had been caretaker boss before Rowett - will stay on as assistant manager - while Joe Carnall, who worked with Gary Rowett at Stoke and Millwall, stays on to form part of Henry’s backroom team.

Henry takes over Millwall after a successful season under Gary Rowett as the Lions finished just two points outside the Championship play-offs in 8th place.

He was suggested by former Millwall striker and manager and fellow club legend Neil Harris, who moved to Cardiff City in November following his resignation. Former caretaker boss Adam Barrett was also a candidate but Harris’ recognition eclipsed the former Southend centre-back’s competition.

Henry’s first competitive fixture will be against Swansea City in the Carabao Cup 1st Round, before starting Millwall’s 2020/21 campaign at home to Stoke City.

Since retiring in 2015, Henry inherited Neil Harris’ old position as the club’s under-23s manager shortly after the announcement of Harris’ permanent hiring as the club’s first-team manager after Ian Holloway.

Tyrone Henry made 639 appearances throughout his 16-year playing career, with 327 of those appearances being made for Millwall as he featured in the club’s 2004 FA Cup Final defeat to Manchester United as well as their short-lived involvement in the UEFA Cup the season after.

His debut was as a 19-year-old teenager for Queens Park Rangers against Torquay United in the FA Cup in December 1999, where he secured his first-team position under Gerry Francis.

After leaving Millwall, he went on to win two promotions with Blackpool under Simon Grayson and then Ian Holloway to the Premier League in 2010 before playing alongside Thierry Henry and former Millwall star Tim Cahill at New York Red Bulls.

He returned to a struggling Millwall in 2012 under Kenny Jackett and after fighting off relegation for two seasons, the Lions finally succumbed to the drop under then-caretaker manager Neil Harris - a former playing colleague of the midfielder.

Henry took his first and only previous management role in 2015 with the Millwall under-23s and saw through the likes of Fred Onyedinma, Ben Thompson, Sid Nelson and James Brown in their routes to the first-team under Neil Harris.

In the Professional Development League, Millwall achieved a 3rd placed finish under Tyrone Henry last season with the team just two points away from the eventual winners Watford under-23s.

In 2015/16 and 2016/17, the Millwall under-23s finished as runners up both years with the former leaving them just 3 points away from winners Charlton Athletic in Henry’s first season in youth management.

Sources close to the club indicate that the 40-year-old London-born manager will be using the youth resources that he has become accustomed to for over five years at The Den.

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Seb: It should be an exciting ride, for sure!

I don't know if a lot of people want to see Milwall in Premier League, but I heard they don't care about that ;-)

Monday, 27th July 2020

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In the run up to Millwall’s first training session, Tyrone had told Jiri Skalak and Matt Smith to not attend as they both had offers made for them elsewhere.

Austin FC in the MLS had put in a £60,000 offer for Skalak with another MLS club in the form of Real Salt Lake coming in with a £350,000 offer for Smith.

He wanted his first impression with the rest of the Millwall first-team to go without issue and with the respective players knowing that other teams had come in and that the club were willing to let them speak to them, it seemed the best solution.

Jed Wallace was the first to make his way out, followed shortly by the rest of the squad. As the 22 players assembled around Henry, he greeted them all individually.

“Thank you lads for getting out early this morning,” he began. “Firstly, it’s great to be here with you as your manager now, even if Gary’s departure was premature and unfortunate. I know how much you appreciated his management.

“There are obviously a lot of familiar faces with my background at the club, and for those who don’t know me, I’m excited to get to know you.

“I want to reassure you all that I have no plans for recruitment this summer, meaning that I want to give you all a chance of succeeding under me.

“Last season was fantastic and you were unlucky not to reach the play-offs. Having analysed your games for my own purposes in the development team, you lot played some quality football.

“To the few new faces, Ryan (Woods), Kenneth (Zohore) and Scott (Malone), I’m delighted to have you on board for the season.

“I appreciate the managers of the past with Neil Harris and Gary Rowett and their achievements with the club, but I want to shape this team into a new style that I’ve been working with at youth levels and it has proven successful over the years.

“We’ll be implementing some new systems with regards to formations and individual instructions today and for the foreseeable future.

“With regards to preseason, we’ll have an intra-squad friendly with a first eleven and a second eleven just to get warmed up before playing a team called Cambrian and Clydach on Saturday.

“Bournemouth will be next at The Den, there’s a few thousand coming to that so I have heard. They’re in our league this season so I’m interested to see how we match up against them.

“We’ll then head to Ireland for a tour, playing Dundalk, Shelbourne and Waterford. We’ll then come back and round off against Shrewsbury and Crewe before our first competitive match against Swansea in the league cup.

“I do want a good cup run this season to keep the momentum in the league, so don’t write that off as an unimportant match just because it’s the first round. They will be wanting to get off to a good start and we’ll be close competitors to them in the league this season so it would be good to send a message out to them.

“Then we’ll start out at The Den in mid-September against Stoke, then Rotherham and Brentford. I realise that I’m rambling on about schedules now, so let's crack on with some ball distribution and retention.” Henry finished.

“Nice one, boss!” said Shaun Hutchinson, the club’s vice-captain. “Come on boys!”

Tyrone turned to his assistant manager Adam Barrett for an indication of how the team took to him on first glance.

“Yeah, that’s a good response, boss. Always good to set your stall out like that.” he said as they began to jog over to the pitch.

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Wolf: No one likes us, we don't care!