A rugby league rollercoaster

European Cup: Wales v Scotland
Venue: Brewery Field, Bridgend Date: Sun, 8 November KO: 1600 GMT Coverage: Live on Sky Sports 3

Andrew Henderson will become the most capped player in Scottish rugby league history when he runs out for the European Cup final on Sunday - just days after he feared his professional career was over.

The former Super League player thought he had thrown his last rugby ball when his club, Gateshead Thunder, were stricken by major financial worries.

"There was a big part of me that thought 'this is it'," admitted the 30-year-old Henderson as he prepares to lead Scotland against Wales on at Brewery Field in Bridgend.

"I remember one night going to bed and thinking it was all over even though I have so much more to give. That made me incredibly sad."

But then ambitious Barrow Raiders came knocking and Henderson's life was suddenly rosy again. Yet his story is a powerful reminder that even professional sportsmen are not immune to the crushing blows the recession can deal.

"I got an email telling me the owning company was being dissolved and the remainder of our contracts would not be met... I was in shock, we all were"

"I was with Steve McCormack, coach of both Gateshead and Scotland, minutes away from boarding the flight to Italy for our European Nations Cup game," recalled the former Castleford Tigers hooker.

"Steve got a call from the Gateshead chief executive Rod Findlay to tell him things weren't looking too good. It appeared the company who owned the club - Gateshead & Newcastle Rugby Limited - was being wound up.

"I was in complete limbo. I didn't have a clue what was going on. After Steve resigned when we got back to England, then I knew things were bleak.

"I got an email the following day telling me the owning company was being dissolved and the remainder of our contracts would not be met.

"This was a week from pay day and a hammer blow. I was in shock, we all were. I got the feelers out with my agent straight away. It shows you that you cannot take anything for granted in life."

Henderson counts himself as one of the lucky ones. He got a move to Barrow, where he had spent a successful couple of seasons back in 2001 and 2002.

"Rugby has always been my life and for the first time I've had to think of doing other stuff... I'd have worked behind a bar, anything"

Signed as a replacement for Harlequins-bound Andy Ellis, Henderson teamed up again with McCormack, who had taken over as coach of the Raiders just a few days before.

"This has been a massive shock and one I was not prepared for," added Henderson.

"I am very thankful for the opportunity that Barrow have given me to finish my career there. Their ambition has already got me buzzing after a really difficult few weeks."

When I spoke to Henderson last week, he was already talking to Barrow but swore me to secrecy about the move.

"If this gets out and someone scuppers the deal, then that could be it for me," he had told me. "They are also looking at two others hookers and my playing days could be over if I don't get this contract."

With two young kids and a wife, Rachael, to support, it has been an incredibly taxing time for Henderson.

"We were due to be paid in October, my contract ran until November, so I lost out on that and my entire 2010 contract," he said.

"I went into shock and wondered how we would get by. There was a bit of panic and a lot of frustration.

"Rugby has always been my life and for the first time I've had to think of doing other stuff. I had to think of getting another job, any job. I'd have worked behind a bar, anything.

"I thought about going to play in France but didn't want to do that to my family. Then I had to ring the landlord to say we couldn't pay the rent. We moved out and moved in with my wife's parents.

"My mum was going to look after my mortgage in Australia but thankfully now I'm okay. I'm lucky, a lot of the Gateshead boys are now skint and without clubs."

With his nightmare month over, Henderson can now focus on rugby again and representing Scotland.

"Playing for Scotland in the European Nations Cup has been a welcome and timely distraction," he stated.

"I will captain the side against Wales to become Scotland's highest capped player in their history. That is a massive honour and a very proud moment. It reminds me why I do what I do and makes everything worthwhile.

Scotland's showdown with Wales may be in the shadows of England's clash with the Kiwis this weekend, but Henderson won't care. After his recent trials and tribulations, he will feel on top of the world.

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