Bankrupt footballer has £2.2M debt slashed

A former football star is set to repay just a fraction of his debts totalling a staggering £2.2 million.

The former Blackburn Rovers and Scotland defender, Colin Hendry, will avoid the repayments of more than 98 per cent of his debts.

Hendry, 45, who developed a gambling problem following the tragic death of his wife Denise almost two years ago, could repay just £36,000 of his debts after agreeing a deal that would take into consideration a number of properties which would clear at least part of the sum.

The rest of the repayments will depend on how much he earns over the coming years as a TV football pundit on ESPN.

Aged 42, Denise Hendry died in 2009 from a meningitis-like infection, following complications to correct a botched liposuction operation seven years’ previous.

Earlier last year, dad-of-four Hendry came clean during an interview with the BBC in which he admitted to drinking heavily and gambling to cope with the grief.

But now, despite being made bankrupt with £2.2 million debts, the Daily Record reports that the accountant overseeing his bankruptcy has written to his creditors informing them he will pay back just £1,000 per month over three years.

Hector McFarlane, a former friend who claims he loaned £95,000 to Hendry, told the Scottish paper: "I am just flabbergasted. I stand to get back £1,800 of the money I loaned him. It's an absolute disgrace." 

Mr McFarlane continued: "His lifestyle's hardly changed. He lives one of the best lifestyles of people I know. I gather he gets more than £1,000 a game as a TV pundit."

Hendry’s biggest creditor however is HM Revenue & Customs, who he said to owe £1.3 million. He is also reported to owe £65,000 to his late dad's estate, £35,000 to his brother and £10,000 to Denise's parents.

Howard Walker, son of the late Blackburn chairman Jack Walker, was also listed as a creditor, as was online betting firm SpreadEx.

Debt Management Today reported back in September that Hendry had sold his luxury home in Lytham, Lancs for £1.7 million but after paying off mortgages and loans there is said to be no cash left.

Hendry now rents a home in an exclusive development in Lytham, where his neighbours include several current English premier league stars – despite being restricted to £500 rent allowance by his bankruptcy trustee.

Hendry started his career with Dundee before spells at Manchester City, Rangers, Coventry City and Bolton Wanderers, and was capped 51 times for Scotland and captained them during Euro ’96. He has also tried his hand at management with Blackpool and Clyde.

The bankruptcy will cease automatically after three years unless the trustee applies to the court for an extension.

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