http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2093021/Lee-Hendrie-declared-bankrupt.html?ITO=1490 How the mighty have fallen. Former Premier League footballer Lee Hendrie has been declared bankrupt after racking up debts of almost £200,000. The former England international midfield star, who did not attend the hearing at the High Court in central London, failed to pay his debts, resulting in HM Revenue and Customs lodging the bankruptcy petition. The court heard how there had been 'no contact' with tax officials, and Hendrie had failed to answer letters since the petition was lodged on December 19 last year. The 34-year-old, who once earned £24,000 a week as a Pemiership footballer with Villa, is believed to be trying to sell his £1.7 million mansion, Finwood Lawn, in Rowington, Warwickshire. Hendrie, the son of Scottish former professional footballer Paul Hendrie, is currently playing non-league football for Conference team Kidderminster Harriers. Recorder Mrs Derrett said she was making the bankruptcy order 'in the absence of any contact' with Hendrie. The hearing was told Hendrie had debts of £193,808.73 and a judgement debt in excess of £42,000 Reacting to the news yesterday, former Aston Villa chairman Sir Doug Ellis told the Birmingham Mail: âHe loved the high life â and loved to spend his money. 'I have many great memories of his time in a Villa shirt. But he was a nice lad who played hard on the pitch and played hard off it.' Ellis said that Hendrie must have been given 'bad advice' and that he had bought property when prices were at their highest. Henrie bought six-bedroom mansion Finwood Lawn for £1.6 million in 2006 and also owns Dickens Hill in Solihull, West Midlands, thought to be worth £1million. However, Hendrie also picked up a reputation for being hard to handle as a player after crashing his Porches on the M6 while racing to catch a plane on the way to a European cup tie. Former villa manager Graham Taylor, in particular, had to field several complaints about the player's behaviour. 'I'm not going to say I've been an angel,' Hendrix told the Mail in August. The bankruptcy comes at a difficult time for Henrie after his mansion was recently burgled. The son of Trevor Francis, the worldâs first £1 million footballer, is facing trial charged with burglary following a break-in at Hendrieâs home. James Francis, 24, from Solihull, West Midlands, has appeared in court charged with breaking into a cottage in the grounds of the property in July last year It is alleged he stole items including a pair of Jimmy Choo shoes, a diamond earring, a Vertu Smartphone, Gucci and Robert Cavalli boots, a Versace watch and a Gucci clutch bag. Other items allegedly taken from the property in Rowington, Warwickshire, include costume jewellery and souvenir football shirts. Land Registry records show that Barclays Bank obtained an interim charging order on Finwood Lawn - which can be the first step towards a possible forced sale - at Warwick County Court on August 25 last year. Finwood Lawn is an impressive detached country manor surrounded by 3.5 acres of land, and has views across the countryside. The gated property boasts six bedrooms, five bathrooms, a games room, indoor pool, refurbished cellar, stunning gardens and two self-contained cottages. Hendrie played for Aston Villa 251 times between 1995 and 2007, scoring 27 goals and helping them to win two League Cups. He earned his single full England cap in 1998. Hendrie has a chequered history off the pitch. He was banned from driving for 12-months in 2003 after overtaking police on the M40 in Warwickshire. He was one-and-half times over the drink-drive limit. He split from his childhood sweetheart Becky soon after just ONE DAY after their £60,000 wedding, cancelling a £12,000 honeymoon in Mauritius - losing the money. Hendrie allegedly had an affair with Emma Cheal, 19, and his furious wife - who has two children with him - carved swear words into the paintwork of his £60,000 Jeep-style Porsche Cayenne.
His version of bankruptcy would be totally different to our version of bankruptcy. He has a 1.7 million mansion to sell and if he owes the revenue £200,000 so he has earned some dosh to rack up tax bills to that amount so where is that cash? He can always hire himself out at opening events or guest speaking so he will always have a few dollars to get by with. If we were banrupt we would be totally on our rears but for celebrities it just means having to cut back on a few of lifes luxuries! He will survive I'm sure!
Very sad when this happens but.. Can't really feel sorry for a guy, being a pro football player a getting into such situations is EASILY avoidable. Silly lad he will no doubt get over it. Try having to retire because you love doing the job you LOVED and had no choice because of illness. I HAVE and I'm still happy enough with my lot. I have enough to survive so I consider myself fairly lucky. Lee Hendre should look at those less fortunate than himself and get on with it. Still, sad to hear it's happened.
