Wayne Hennessey facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Wayne Hennessey

Hennessey playing for Wales in 2016
Personal information
Date of birth	(1987-01-24) 24 January 1987 (age 38)
Place of birth	Bangor, Wales
Height	6 feet 6 inches (1.98 m)
Playing position	Goalkeeper
Club information
Current club	Nottingham Forest
Number	13
Youth career
0000–2003	Manchester City
2003–2006	Wolverhampton Wanderers
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2006–2014	Wolverhampton Wanderers	152	(0)
2006	→ Bristol City (loan)	0	(0)
2007	→ Stockport County (loan)	15	(0)
2013	→ Yeovil Town (loan)	12	(0)
2014–2021	Crystal Palace	110	(0)
2021–2022	Burnley	2	(0)
2022–2024	Nottingham Forest	4	(0)
2025–	Nottingham Forest	0	(0)
National team‡
2003	Wales U17	5	(0)
2004	Wales U19	7	(0)
2005–2009	Wales U21	6	(0)
2007–	Wales	109	(0)
Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 21:45, 28 May 2023 (UTC). † Appearances (Goals). ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 08:43, 12 October 2023 (UTC)

Wayne Robert Hennessey, born on January 24, 1987, is a professional footballer from Wales. He plays as a goalkeeper for Nottingham Forest and is also a key player for the Wales national team.

Wayne Hennessey became famous early in his career. While on loan at Stockport County, he set a new Football League record. He kept many clean sheets (meaning no goals were scored against his team) in a row. He played 166 games for Wolverhampton Wanderers over eight seasons. This included three years playing in the top league, the Premier League.

After some injuries, he joined Crystal Palace in 2014. He played 132 games for them over eight seasons. This included playing in the 2016 FA Cup final. Later, he played for Burnley and Nottingham Forest.

Wayne has played for the Wales national team since 2007. He is Wales' third most-capped player, meaning he has played in the third-highest number of games for his country. He is also their most capped goalkeeper, with over 100 games. He was part of the Wales teams for the UEFA European Championship in 2016 and 2020. In 2016, Wales reached the semi-finals. He was also chosen for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Early Life and Football Start

Wayne Hennessey is a cousin of Terry Hennessey, who also played for Wales. Wayne was born in Bangor, Gwynedd, and grew up in Beaumaris, Anglesey. He speaks Welsh fluently. He went to Ysgol David Hughes school, but later moved to Connah's Quay High School because it was easier to travel to Manchester for football.

Wayne started his football training at Manchester City. But he left in 2003 and joined the youth team at Wolverhampton Wanderers. He worked his way up and signed his first professional contract in April 2005.

In 2006, Wayne was sent to Bristol City for a short time to get more experience. He didn't play any games there. He had to return to Wolves early because their main goalkeeper got injured.

Club Career Highlights

Starting Strong at Stockport County

To get more playing time, Wayne joined League Two team Stockport County in January 2007. This was a one-month loan. In his first game against Boston United, he kept a clean sheet. He kept five more clean sheets in a row, so his loan was extended.

He then set a Football League record. He had nine clean sheets and wins in a row! Stockport broke a 119-year-old record when they won 3–0 against Swindon Town in March 2007. Because of this amazing achievement, he was named the League Two Player of the Month for February 2007. He also holds Stockport County's record for the longest time without letting in a goal, which is 857 minutes.

Time with Wolverhampton Wanderers

Wayne was called back to Wolves in April 2007 because their main goalkeeper, Matt Murray, was injured again. Wayne made his debut for Wolves in a big play-off game.

With Murray out for the whole 2007–08 season, Wayne became the team's main goalkeeper. He played in every league game and signed a new contract. At the end of the season, he was named in the 2007–08 PFA Championship Team of the Year. He was also named Wolves' Player of the Season.

In the 2008–09 season, Wolves started very well. They won eight of their first nine league games. Wayne helped them get promoted to the Premier League as champions.

Wayne started the 2009–10 Premier League season as the first-choice goalkeeper. He played his 100th game for the club in October 2009. He signed a new contract with Wolves in July 2010, keeping him there until 2015. He played a key role in helping the club avoid relegation in the 2010–11 season.

During the 2011–12 season, Wayne suffered a serious knee injury. This kept him out of action for a long time. He re-injured his knee in November 2012, which meant he missed the rest of the 2012–13 season.

He returned to play for Wolves in the 2013–14 season. The team was now in League One. He went on loan to Yeovil Town to get back to full fitness. He helped Yeovil get their first home win in the Championship against Nottingham Forest. After his loan, he returned to Wolves but decided he wanted to move to another club.

Moving to Crystal Palace

On January 31, 2014, Wayne joined Crystal Palace. He signed a three-and-a-half-year deal. He made his first appearance for Palace in May 2014.

In the 2014–15 season, he played in the Football League Cup. He also made his first Premier League start of the season. He kept his first Premier League clean sheet for the club in a win against Swansea City.

For the 2015–16 season, Wayne became the team's main goalkeeper. He played in the 2016 FA Cup Final, where Crystal Palace lost to Manchester United. He signed a new three-year contract in July 2018. He left Crystal Palace in July 2021.

Short Time at Burnley

On July 20, 2021, Wayne joined Burnley on a free transfer. He signed a two-year deal. He made his debut in the EFL Cup against Newcastle United. He kept a clean sheet and helped his team win in a penalty shootout. He was mainly a backup goalkeeper at Burnley. The team was relegated from the Premier League that season.

Joining Nottingham Forest

On July 15, 2022, Wayne returned to the Premier League. He joined newly promoted Nottingham Forest on a two-year contract. He made his debut in the EFL Cup in August. His league debut came in December against Manchester United. In January 2023, Forest signed another goalkeeper, Keylor Navas, which meant Wayne played less. He left Forest in the summer of 2024 when his contract ended. However, he later re-signed with Forest in January 2025 for the rest of the season.

International Career for Wales

Hennessey (in light green) in goal for Wales against Austria in October 2016

Wayne Hennessey played for Wales at different youth levels, including under-17, under-19, and under-21. He even scored a goal for the under-19 team from 40 yards out against Turkey!

He made his first full international appearance for Wales in a friendly game against New Zealand in May 2007. Since then, he has become Wales' main goalkeeper. He played his 50th game for Wales in September 2015.

Wayne played in all ten of Wales' qualifying games for UEFA Euro 2016. He only let in four goals. This helped Wales reach their first major international tournament since the 1958 FIFA World Cup. He was the first-choice goalkeeper for the tournament. Wales made it to the semi-finals before losing to Portugal.

On September 3, 2020, Wayne achieved his 35th clean sheet for Wales. This broke the previous record held by Neville Southall. He was chosen for UEFA Euro 2020 in May 2021.

Wayne earned his 100th cap for Wales on March 29, 2022. This was in a friendly match against the Czech Republic.

On June 5, 2022, Wayne made nine saves in a game against Ukraine. This was the most saves without letting in a goal in the 2022 European World Cup qualification. This amazing performance helped Wales win 1–0 and qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. This was Wales' first World Cup since 1958!

During the 2022 World Cup, Wayne was sent off (given a red card) in a game against Iran. He became only the third goalkeeper in World Cup history to be sent off. He was the only player to receive a straight red card in the entire 2022 World Cup.

Career Statistics

Club Appearances

International Appearances

Hennessey with Wales in 2011

Awards and Achievements

Wolverhampton Wanderers

• Football League Championship: 2008–09 (Champions)

Crystal Palace

• FA Cup runner-up: 2015–16 (Second place)

Individual Awards

• PFA Team of the Year: 2007–08 Championship (Chosen as one of the best players)
• Football League Two Player of the Month: February 2007
• Wolverhampton Wanderers Player of the Year: 2007–08

See also

In Spanish: Wayne Hennessey para niños

• List of men's footballers with 100 or more international caps