Adam Henley

Adam David Henley (born 14 June 1994) is a professional footballer who plays as a defender for National League North club Chorley.

He primarily operates as a right-back, but can also be deployed at left-back.

Born in the United States and raised in England, Henley represented Wales at international level, making two appearances for the Wales senior national team.

Henley was born in Knoxville, Tennessee to a Welsh mother and an American father and moved with his family to Chorley in England when he was two years old and grew up there.

He attended Clayton-le-Woods Church of England Primary School, and St Michael's High School.

Before joining the Blackburn Rovers Academy, Henley spent some time in the youth system of Manchester United.

He was also at Chorley Harriers' juniors.

During his progress to the Blackburn Rovers Academy, he was coached by Manager Gary Bowyer from the U12 side to the U18 side.

A speedy full back who can play either on the right or the left, Henley quickly progressed from the Blackburn Rovers Academy to become a regular member of the reserve squad.

Henley helped set up the corner that Blackburn got their winner off as they beat Manchester United for the first time since 2005 at Old Trafford.

Henley made his first appearance for the senior squad on 16 July 2011, coming on as a late substitute in their pre-season match against Accrington Stanley.

He was also a part of the first team squad that traveled to Hong Kong to play in the 2011 Premier League Asia Trophy.

Ahead of the 2011–12 season, he was given a number 39 shirt.

In the 2011–12 season, it wasn't until on 19 November 2011 when Henley made his professional – and Premier League – debut, replacing Míchel Salgado and playing the entire second half in a 3–3 draw against Wigan Athletic at the DW Stadium.

On 26 December 2011, Henley earned his first start and played the full 90 minutes against Liverpool at Anfield, which finished in a 1–1 draw.

Four days later, Henley signed a new two-and-a-half-year deal, his first professional contract at Blackburn Rovers.

He was involved in one of the most remarkable results of the 2011–12 season on 31 December 2011, playing the full 90 minutes at left back in a 3–2 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Henley later made two appearances for the rest of the 2011–12 season, both were starts against Queens Park Rangers and Chelsea.

However, he made seven appearances for the side, as they were relegated from the Premier League after losing 1–0 to Wigan Athletic.

Despite this, he was awarded the club's Young Player of the Year.

At the start of the 2012–13 season, Henley's first team opportunities became more limited under manager Steve Kean, as Bradley Orr took his position in the right back; and was sent to the reserve side instead.

Kean left the club and was replaced by former player Henning Berg.

Under Berg, Henley received playing opportunities in the right back position.

He made his first appearance of the 2012–13 season, starting the whole game, in a 2–0 loss against Crystal Palace on 3 November 2012.

Henley soon received a run of first team appearance lead to Henley signing a new deal on 7 December 2012, keeping him until 2017.

Shortly after signing a new contract, Henley revealed he was close to leaving Blackburn Rovers on loan before his first-team return.

However, shortly after Berg's sacking, he found himself in the sidelined after suffering a hamstring injury and was sidelined for four to six weeks following a scan.

Despite the injury, he went on to make 17 appearances in all competitions at the end of the 2012–13 season.

It wasn't until on 26 February 2013 when he returned from injury, coming on as a second–half substitute, in a 3–0 loss against Leicester City.

After appearing the next two matches for the side, however, he suffered another hamstring injury and was sidelined for the rest of the season.

Ahead of the 2013–14 season, Henley returned to training following his recovery from a hamstring injury.

However, he was sent to the reserve squad instead at the start of the season.

Henley also faced a new competition from Todd Kane over the right–back position.

After appearing as unused substitute in number of matches, he made his first appearance of the season, starting the whole game, in a 0–0 draw against Queens Park Rangers on 7 December 2013.

Following this, Henley received a handful of first team appearances and took his position in the right back from Kane.

He remained in the starting eleven until he suffered ankle injury and was sidelined for the rest of the season.

Despite suffering ankle injury, Henley went on to make 22 appearances in all competitions.

Ahead of the 2014–15 season, Henley was publicity called out by Manager Bowyer to fight for his first team place in the right–back position.

In response, Henley said he's determined to fight for his first team place for the new season.

At the start of the 2014–15 season, he continued to rehabilitate from ankle injury and didn't return until August.