Hennessey – Wales Number One!

When Wayne Hennessey joined County on loan from Wolves in January nobody had ever heard of him.

But in his first nine games he kept nine clean sheets, and the outfield players scored goals in all nine games meaning we won nine games on the trot without conceding a goal – a new Football League record.

He then conceded quite a few, but contiuned his good form and had to return to Wolves after a very very successful three month loan spell.

Hennessey was then called up as a replacement for Matt Murray in the Championship play-off semi finals against West Brom, and although Wolves lost he still made a good impression.

Weeks later he was handed his first Wales cap in a friendly against New Zealand, then in the qualifier against Czech Republic he was picked in the team and was part of the team that played in Ryan Giggs’ last ever international game for Wales.

So in the space of six months I’d say that is a pretty impressive way to work your way to the top!

And Wales boss John Toshack seems to suggest that Hennessey can secure the Wales number one shirt and hold onto it for years to come.

Speaking to BBC he said: ‘He had been out on loan to Stockport and set a Football League record for consecutive clean sheets, then found himself in the Wolves team due to injuries for their play-off semi-final matches with West Brom.

‘Those games for Wolves were important for Wayne. They were high-pressure matches in front of full houses and he did very well.’

‘I don’t want to start picking the team for Germany just yet, but Wayne has a good chance and is a fine prospect,’

Jim Gannon must be a very proud man, Stephen Gleeson and Wayne Hennessey have both made their international debuts because of loan spells at Stockport County – and who is to say we can not bring on more fine youngsters next season and in the future.

One final point, Hennessey is yet to concede a goal in a Wales shirt. Coincedence…..