'EMOTIONAL DAY'
‘He was there with me’ – Dean Henderson gets emotional live on GMB over death of his dad after FA Cup triumph
The keeper dedicated Palace's FA Cup final victory to his late father
DEAN HENDERSON became visibly emotional as he opened up on the passing of his father, who he insists was "there with" him during Crystal Palace's FA Cup final triumph.
The Palace and England stopper lost his dad, Dougie, before the start of the 2024/25 season.
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Dougie tragically passed away 11 days after England's Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain last July, in which Henderson was an unused substitute.
Henderson's thoughts turned to his late father after his FA Cup final heroics against Manchester City last Saturday, in which he saved a first-half penalty from Omar Marmoush not long after he controversially avoided a red card.
And he was once again full of emotion thinking about Dougie, who passed away aged 57, during an appearance on Good Morning Britain on Monday.
He said: "It was obviously a hugely emotional day in that respect.
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"In the last 24 hours, I've probably thought about it quite a lot.
"But, obviously, when you're in the moment, you've just got to focus on the game.
"The afterthought of it really comes when you can't pick up the phone with him and have a chat with him and tell him what you've done.
"He'd have normally been there in the stadium watching.
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"But listen, it's incredible and I take good pride knowing that I think he was there with me."
Henderson's immediate post-match tribute to his late father was equally as touching.
Dean Henderson dedicates Crystal Palace's FA Cup final triumph to dad after his tragic death
The former Manchester United stopper said: “It’s why I left (Man Utd), it’s what I set out to do.
“But honestly I lost my dad at the start of the season and I’ll miss him here today.
“But he was with me every kick of the ball today and I dedicate that win to him."
Palace won their first major trophy in their 120-year history thanks to a 1-0 win at Wembley.
Eberechi Eze struck in the 16th minute to condemn City to yet more misery this season.
Henderson was lucky not to see red in the 24th minute when he handled the ball outside of the box with Erling Haaland bearing down on goal.
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VAR decided the offense WASN'T worthy of a red card, which would have huge ramifications ten minutes later when Henderson saved Marmoush's spot kick.
City boss Pep Guardiola was fuming with the decision and was involved in an angry post-match spat with Henderson.
Recalling the incident, Henderson told ITV: "I just want to shake his hand.
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"But I think he was disappointed with the time wasting.
"I said, 'You got the ten minutes you wanted.' There's no hard feelings."
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