Guard of Honour

The outcome of the match between Eaton FC and with Weymouth FC did not evince too much of interest amongst the English football enthusiasts but for the fact that the world was to watch a ‘footballing genius’ one last time. “Ray – we are going to miss you!!” exclaimed the Saturday morning edition of “The Mirror”. Ray Hendricks, 34, one of the few entrants to the elite “1000 goals club”, was to play his last football match as a professional on May 7, 2007, and Eaton Football Club was all set to pay to its tributes to a legend who had dedicated 15 years of his professional life for the club.

Ray was a principled man and extremely honest in both his personal and professional life. Trust defined Ray’s relationships and formed the edifice of his life. He would not hesitate to snap ties with individuals who would breach his trust. A kind hearted and emotional man, Ray believed in a candor driven relationship, an attribute to which Ray’s wife, Elian would subscribe. Ray and Elian had been married for 10 years and had very few “rough” days. Ray, Elian and son Mick would fit into any “picture perfect” family album without much difficulty.

Tickets for the 12,000 seater ‘Crater’ stadium in Devon, off the banks of River Plym were sold months before the match. Movie stars, football legends, politicians, they were all going to be there to bid a final farewell to Ray. The expected presence of the head of the English Football Association only added to fuel to the speculation – the possibility of Ray being appointed as the deputy to Mark Myres, the current football coach of England.

A warm autumn Saturday afternoon greeted Ray and the Eaton team. Sporting a grey T-Shirt with words “T-Mobile”, Ray marched in with his army of ten brave men, into the Crater stadium. Often referred to as “the bull ring”, the stadium had grown up watching Ray’s heroics, since when he was 19.

At the western end of the stadium, below the commentary box was Sir Ian Hendricks in his usual black Armani. Age was fast catching up with Sir Ian but that did not deter this 76 year old man from watching his son play for the first time (and ironically the last time!!!) in 8 years since the infamous “Milan” incident. As he watched his son trooping with his men and as the crowd went berserk screaming “Ray for knighthood….”, the past was flashing and looming large before Sir Ian’s eyes. It was that ill-fated night at Milan on May 3, 1998 that jolted the otherwise tightly knit Hendricks’ family.

Sir Ian was the coach of England then. An accomplished player and a master tactician, Sir Ian was very objective in his approach. Personalities, history or talent were never on top of Sir Ian’s dictionary….only performance counted. He believed in “form” than “class” and always wanted winning matches the “righteous way”. He had inculcated these values to son Ray and never pushed for his selection or elevation in the ranks of the national team. For Sir Ian, what separated the “best” from the “better” was the commitment and hunger to do well in all conditions, irrespective of the results. Sir Ian often advocated the philosophy of results and rewards automatically following the “tough-hearted and hard working” individuals and that one need not chase them (the rewards) down.

England was playing Italy at Milan in the qualifiers for the 2000 European Cup. England was in superlative form averaging two goals per match. Its away record was also commendable with a winning percentage of 70. The team had just lost 1 of its last 8 away matches. England had to win against Italy to finish atop the Group. This would ensure a better draw for England come the European Cup.


The Captain, Andy Fletcher and Coach Sir Ian were pretty confident of they show in Milan given that they had a tight-knit defence and the attack was spearheaded by the “European Footballer of the Year”, Ray Hendricks. Ray, a right wing forward for England then was in scintillating form and had scored nearly 43 goals in all forms of football that year. Ray was the best bet for England at Milan.

The match was pacy. Italy opened the scoring through Maldini in the 10th minute and doubled its lead within 15 minutes. England responded through Tim May’s header just at the stroke of half time. As England searched for the equaliser, Ray and Andy pushed forward. Ray’s nimble footed dribbling was too hot for the Italians to handle and Italian Captain Beresculi’s intended elbow on Ray’s jaws in the 79th minute made the Italian team’s intentions clear – they are going to play tough football to stop England equalizing. As blood spurted from the mouth of Ray, Sir Ian, a visibly worried man signaled for a change in the bench.

Ray refused to step out and continued playing the match after receiving medical attention. As the Italians were trying to wile away the time, Andy suggested to Ray that they employ the dreaded “twin cobra tackle” near the Dee-Line to steal the ball from the Italians – he believed that this was their best chance to equalize. In footballing parlance, a twin cobra tackle would mean two players of a team attacking the defender (who is in possession of the football) of the opposition team and force the ball away from him. It is like “double teaming” in basketball - the only difference is that the tackle is done from behind the defender’s back. Although, not recognized as being illegal by FIFA, many former players and experts (including Sir Ian himself) were against it. Ray too like his father never liked employing this tactic even when faced with the most difficult of footballing situations. He tried persuading Andy, but time was running out.

With only 7 minutes remaining, Ray rushed towards defender Schilliari and tried to retrieve the ball from him. Andy rushed from left side and as both of them slid on the ground to regain the football from Schilliari, an extended spiked foot hit Schilliari’s chin and broke his leg. As Schilliari lay in ground with a broken leg, the referee called for medical help and red-carded Ray for the disreputable tackle.

As Ray was “phoo-phooed” out of the ground by Italian and English supporters alike, he gave a disgusted look to Andy. Only the two of them knew what had happened.

England went on to lose the match and Sir Ian at the press conference said “I am not disappointed at losing the match but am dismayed by how certain individuals cheat to win”. The credentials of Ray and his ability to win matches the “honest” way were suddenly questioned – questioned by the very man who had inculcated these values. Ray found this difficult to digest. Without any dissent or a voice of protest (very Ray like) he decided to call it “quits” from international football. 26 was too young an age for any individual to quit the money spinning career of international football but Ray stuck onto what his conscience had to say. Eliane stood by the side of Ray.

The Milan episode and the subsequent decision of Ray evoked mixed responses. Sir Ian went on air to say that it was Ray’s personal decision and that he would still stick by his comments of May 3. Sir Ian went on to coach England for two more years with a mixed bag of results, whereas Andy Fletcher sought a footballing career with a club team in South Africa.

Being tough and being talented as the two men were, Sir Ian and Ray had ravenous egos. Ray’s relationship with Sir Ian weakened by the day and the flashpoint came when Sir Ian said he would never again watch Ray play. Sir Ian was however there at the Crater stadium with his knighted sword and many wondered why the ailing old man was there.

The match between Eaton and Weymouth was extremely dull. The first half did not produce any goals. The local fans expected Ray to produce some magic in the second half. However, his magic was restricted to a few dribbling antics and the game was sealed with two headers from Weymouth’s forward Eric Clayton. What an anti-climax end to Ray’s career!!!

As Ray did a lap around the Crater stadium, the presenter announced that there would be a Guard of Honour for Ray. The Guard, the presenter announced would comprise of the current players of Eaton FC on one side and all the ex-captains and coaches Ray had played under on the other side. The crowd could also see a frail old man with a sword walking towards the presenter. Would Sir Ian be part of the Guard, wondered many. Would this mean he is breaking the ice with Ray or retracting from the May 3 statement?

Ray went onto collect several awards that night for his achievements. But like many, he too was waiting for the important moment. And finally the moment everyone was waiting for arrived. The constituent names of the Guard were announced by the presenter and they appeared one by one. When Sir Ian’s name was announced, one could see Eliane go ecstatic; Ray was his usual calm self. For a couple of minutes nobody came. The presenter went on to announce the next name of Andy Weeks. Weeks came to the podium in his pin striped grey suit with a studded sword in his hand and a sheet of paper. Weeks handed over the sheet of paper and the sword to Ray.

“I am sorry SIR Ray” It read. “I am not sure if the Queen would knight you… this knighthood is recognition not for your achievements, but how you went about achieving them – the straight honest manner. In this money greedy world, it is heartening to see individuals who stick by their conscience and play the game the way it needs to be played. I am proud to be your father” Signed Ian Hendricks. This was written behind a printed e-mail from Andy to Sir Ian. The e-mail read “I instigated the ‘twin cobra tackle’, Ray had nothing to do with it. I broke Scilliari’s leg, not Ray. I am ashamed to have done what I did, but if you need to forgive someone…it is not me but Ray”.

When asked to speak, Ray had very few words to say. Thanking his friends, Eliane and Mick for supporting him when the times were tough, the Eaton FC, the fans, Ray’s speech lasted for less than 5 minutes. As Ray exited the podium after the presentation ceremony was complete, he could see his Dad waiting for him. He took the sword and the piece of paper and walked towards Sir Ian.

“Dad, thanks a million for making it”. Handing over the sword back to his Dad he said “Men are made tough Dad and it is difficult to crack tough men. The values and principles that you inculcated would remain with me until my last breath. You thought I had broken your trust at Milan…I didn’t Dad…waited until this day to say that”….Tears rolled across Ray’s cheeks. “I am an honest man and I do not have any dark shades in my professional life…Its just sad that people fail to trust you when it matters the most….and me not the one who would forgive individuals, would carry memories….good, bad, ugly for a long long time”. Sir Ian had understood, he wasn’t to be forgiven.

“Son, there is a void in your Guard…tell me when you would want me to fill it…I can wait a lifetime”, Sir Ian exited the stadium with his sword and the piece of paper.