Source: Daily_Mail
Colin Hendry faces ruin over gambling debt as he is forced to sell home
Colin Hendry faces financial ruin over massive internet gambling debts, it emerged on Thursday. [LNB]The former international footballer and ex-Blackburn player is to suffer fresh anguish after the death of his wife from complications caused by botched plastic surgery. [LNB]Spreadex, an online sports betting firm, has filed a bankruptcy petition against the former Scotland World Cup captain at Blackpool County Court. He is understood to owe the company £35,000. [LNB] Colin Hendry and his late wife Denise. The former Scottish international footballer has run up huge gambling debts[LNB] Yesterday the extent of Hendry's financial freefall was revealed - as he was forced to accept an undisclosed bid for his £1.7million Georgian home on the seafront at Lytham St Annes, Lancashire. [LNB]It is understood there is an outstanding re-mortgage debt of nearly £1million on the house, which he bought outright for £750,000 in 2001. [LNB]Hendry's legal advisers hinted the taxman was 'circling' for an Inland Revenue bill which friends estimate may be as high as £800,000. [LNB] Hector McFarlane (far left) at the funeral of Denise Hendry last year[LNB] And Blackburn County Court has ordered him to pay more than £90,000 to his former friend and neighbour, businessman Hector McFarlane. [LNB]Hendry does not dispute that he owes Mr McFarlane, 61, the money and accepts the debt. But it was the legal dispute over the original loan of £85,000 that revealed Hendry's financial 'house of cards'. [LNB]Colin Hendry on international duty before his retirement. He is said to bet heavily on football[LNB] He has been sinking in a sea of debt since the tragic death last year of his wife Denise, 44. The mother of four had suffered serious ill health since 2002 after a botched 'tummy tuck' operation. [LNB]She underwent a series of operations but died from a brain infection. Until yesterday, Hendry's friends claimed he had been left penniless because his devotion to his wife had prevented him from working. [LNB] Colin Hendry sued by friend over £85,000 loan he 'borrowed while wife was dying'Colin Hendry opens heart-breaking diary of wife who died after botched liposuction op[LNB]They said they were surprised by the gambling revelation. One said: 'Obviously Colin has always loved football but we never realised how much money he was gambling on the sport.' [LNB]'It is so easy running up a gambling account when you are big name or putting on bets via the internet. [LNB]It is understood Spreadex launched the bankruptcy action, scheduled for April 6, after Mr Hendry defaulted on an arrangement to pay off his debt with them. [LNB]Speaking from Thailand, where he is staying with wife Williamina, 59, Mr McFarlane said: 'My wife and I will probably get about 3 per cent - the average payout for creditors in bankruptcy - of money we had saved for our retirement. [LNB]'The big question is where did his money go? He earned all that money as a player and then got £300,000 in compensation for what happened to Denise. [LNB]'Colin also took my money and I know that he borrowed from others.' [LNB]Hendry declined to comment. [LNB]
