Crystal Palace goalkeeper, Dean Henderson, has revealed that his father died at the beginning of the 2024-25 league season.
He made the emotional revelation after his heroics performance in Crystal Palace’s 1-0 win over Manchester City in the final of this season’s FA Cup.
Crystal Palace won their first major trophy as a club after 119 years, beating Pep Guardiola’s highly rated Manchester City team.
Henderson spoke with BBC Sport after the winning the silverware at Wembley, revealing that his father passed away earlier in the season.
He then dedicated the trophy to his dad, who he claimed to feel the presence during the final.
“I lost my dad at the start of the season and I miss him here today, but he was with me. I dedicate that win to him!”, the former Manchester United star told the BBC.
The England goalkeeper became the first goalkeeper since former Chelsea custodian, Petr Cech 15 years ago to save a non-shootout penalty in the final of the FA Cup.
The 28-year-old was pivotal in Palace victory, having saved a penalty in the first half of the encounter.
