Stewart Downing has opened up on his initiation after joining Liverpool, revealing Jordan Henderson refused to take part
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Jordan Henderson captain of Liverpool during a training session at Alpine Football Camp in Bangkok, Thailand
Jordan Henderson captain of Liverpool during a training session at Alpine Football Camp in Bangkok, Thailand
(Image: 2022 Liverpool FC)
Stewart Downing has revealed Jordan Henderson had to pay a fine after refusing to sing an initiation song after signing for Liverpool. The pair both joined the Reds in the summer of 2011, signing in £20m deals from Aston Villa and Sunderland respectively.
Both players ultimately struggled in their first season at the club under Kenny Dalglish, with Downing failing to register a Premier League goal or assist from 36 outings. Meanwhile, Brendan Rodgers was willing to cash in on Henderson after taking over as manager, sanctioning his departure in part-exchange for Fulham's Clint Dempsey.
Henderson would manage to resurrect his Liverpool career, however, becoming a modern club legend in the process.
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The England international was appointed Reds captain in the summer of 2015 and made 492 appearances for Liverpool as he won every major honour during his 12 seasons at Anfield.
In contrast, Downing was discarded by Rodgers at the end of his second season with the Reds. Returning seven goals and nine appearances from 91 appearances, he was sold to West Ham United for just £5m in August 2013.
The 40-year-old has now recalled his initiation after joining Liverpool, revealing he sang ‘Penny Arcade’. However, Downing revealed a 21-year-old Henderson refused to take part and walked out rather than sing, picking up a fine in the process.
“I didn't have to do many initiations actually, throughout my career,” Downing exclusively told Ladbrokes. “I didn't do one at Villa, I don't know why. Maybe it was because I'd signed late on, so I'd got away with it.
“I did one at Liverpool - we'd gone to a restaurant and had a meal, and it was a couple of weeks in, so I'd already got to know the lads.
“We'd had a few beers, so I thought it was the best time to do it. When you know the lads, you're a bit more relaxed about it, so I sang Penny Arcade - Charlie Adam was loving it, as a Rangers fan.
“I'll always remember Jordan Henderson getting his wife to get up and leave the restaurant with him, because he didn't want to sing. He just left us!
“He was that nervous - he hadn't had a beer, so he was just adamant he wasn't singing; he'd rather have paid a fine!
“I've heard stories of players not signing for clubs because they've been worried about initiations.
“Honestly, just sing for 30 seconds! What's the worst that's going to happen?!”