TOUGH-tackling defender Colin Hendry has never been known for his generosity to rivals on the field.

But away from the pitch, the world class centre-half won over the people of East Lancashire with his concern for those in need.

On many occasions a certain softly-spoken Scot would call the Lancashire Evening Telegraph to offer his help after reading the story of someone less fortunate than himself. And although our files are bulging with pictures of Colin's good deeds around East Lancashire, the Rovers star wasn't one to blow his own bagpipes - often he quietly asked for a needy family's phone number away from the cameras.

His Santa-like visits to sick youngsters spending Christmas in hospital became an annual fixture, and Colin was only too willing to support appeals for worthy causes.

Many a charity raffle was boosted by the offer of a Rovers shirt or a football signed by the big-hearted Scot.

Clifford Hutchinson, landlord of the Gibraltar Hotel, Revidge, Blackburn, said: "Colin came down here on several occasions to do charity penny-pushes. It was incredible really, to have a Premiership footballer coming down to an ordinary pub to help with such a down-to-earth event. "He helped make our charity nights a great success because he was so friendly, and he will be sadly missed by people in the town."

Youngsters on the children's ward at Blackburn Royal Infirmary were thrilled when Colin turned up each Christmas to give away goodie bags of posters, calendars, sweets and chocolates.

Staff on the ward said today: "We can't believe he is leaving the club. He did such a lot for the children on the ward and the kids used to get so excited.

"It was only a couple of months ago that he found time out of his World Cup training to open the adolescent unit at Queen's Park Hospital.

"We are all wondering who is going to fill the gap he left and carry on where he left off."

Colin also helped young Rovers fans like Steven McLaughlin, who suffered a fractured skull and multiple injuries in a collision with a car near his home in Bastwell Road, Blackburn.

The football-mad youngster's spirits were lifted when Colin offered to sign a new Blackburn Rovers shirt to replace the one which paramedics had to cut off the lad's back at the scene.

Colin, who was once described by Rovers chairman Robert Coar as "an adopted Blackburnian", says his love for the town still endures. And while Rovers fans are sure to miss the big man's presence on the field, once the dust settles, his contribution to East Lancashire life is one which will be warmly remembered.

ROVERS cult hero David Speedie says his mate and fellow Scot Colin Hendry will look back on his Ewood days with a lot of pleasure.

The star of Kenny Dalglish's promotion play-off winning squad says his Blackburn days were among the best in his career.

And he reckons Colin Hendry will miss the friendly Blackburn people when he moves to Ibrox.

He added: "My circumstances were a bit different from Colin's. I didn't want to leave Blackburn and go to Southampton.

"But Colin has spent a long time at Blackburn and I am sure he wants a new challenge and a new avenue to explore.

"No doubt he wants to add a Scottish Championship winner's medal to the English Premiership one he got at Ewood Park.

"Whatever he does, though, I am sure he'll always be a hero to the people of Blackburn and he'll look back on his days at the club and in the town with pleasure."

Speedie's career reached its peak at Ewood before he moved to Southampton and Leicester City.

COLIN Hendry's decision to quit Rovers has left staff at a printing firm with a headache.

LBH Litho, of Glenfield Park, Blackburn, has been working for the past seven months on a 192-page colour magazine to mark Colin's testimonial year.

And tens of thousands of pounds pledged or already paid by local businesses in advertising will have to be returned.

"It is a tragedy" said director John Lang, also a member of Colin's testimonial committee.

"We understand that Rangers will make sure people are compensated for work put into the project so we're not concerned about the financial side.

"But it is just such a shame that so much work has gone into it already."

The publication included hundreds of photographs and comments from dozens of people throughout the football world detailing Colin's career to date.

"It would have been a fantastic publication which I'm sure fans would have loved," said John.

"It seems such a shame that it won't see the light of day."

Around 6,000 copies were due to be printed within days ready for the launch of Colin's testimonial year in September.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

You can share your memories and opinions on Colin Hendry by writing to: The Editor, Lancashire Evening Telegraph, High Street, Blackburn, BB1 1HT, or e-mail on:

let_editorial@lancashire.newsquest.co.uk

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