Former Football Star Colin Hendry Joins Iron Maiden Tour

Colin Hendry, a former defender for Rangers, Blackburn Rovers, and Scotland, has embarked on an unusual second career since retiring from professional football in 2003. Instead of pursuing management or punditry, Hendry now tours the globe playing football matches with the iconic heavy metal band Iron Maiden.

His involvement began approximately ten years ago following a chance meeting with a band representative in a hotel. Hendry, a lifelong heavy metal fan, expressed his continued love for the music and his ability to stay fit through playing charity games. This led to an invitation to play for Iron Maiden's own football team.

The band, known for their extensive touring since the 1970s, often arranges matches with local teams near their concert venues. These games are spearheaded by bassist Steve Harris and include band members, roadies, and friends, often featuring former professional footballers like Paolo Di Canio and Claudio Caniggia as guests. Hendry has become a regular, relishing the opportunity to play with his idols across various continents, including the UK, Europe, and South America.

Despite the enjoyable nature of these matches, Hendry notes they are highly competitive, with past encounters against Eintracht Frankfurt's youth team and a Czech side featuring Karel Poborsky, Patrick Berger, and Vladimir Smicer proving particularly challenging. For Hendry, this ongoing chapter is a dream come true, allowing him to stay fit, enjoy camaraderie, and play football with his heroes.