Pendrey, Garry

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Born in Birmingham, Pendrey spent his entire playing career in England. He signed for Birmingham City in 1965 as an apprentice defender, before agreeing professional terms in 1968. He played for the club until 1979, making 306 appearances and scoring 4 goals. He left for Wolverhampton Wanderers then had spells playing for West Bromwich Albion, Torquay United, Bristol Rovers and Walsall.

After retiring from playing in 1983, Pendrey became a coach at Walsall. Working alongside manager Alan Buckley he helped coach the team to the Milk Cup semi-final in 1984. In 1986, Pendrey was replaced when Walsall was sold to a new owner, Terry Ramsden.

From 1987 to 1989 Pendrey returned to Birmingham as manager. However, under his stewardship the club was relegated to Third Division for the first time in its history, and he was replaced by Dave Mackay soon after.

When Gordon Strachan become manager of Coventry City in November 1996, Pendrey was appointed his assistant. When Strachan departed in 2001, Pendrey left the club also, only to reunite as manager and assistant at Southampton on 22 October 2002.

On June 1, 2005, Pendrey joined Celtic as Strachan’s assistant manager, a position he held until Strachan’s departure in June 09.

We wish him all the best.Will be best remembered for being the one pushing the clipboards into players faces as they were going onto the pitch (tactics etc) – Although it used to mystify some of the support why it could sometimes take going on for ten minutes for an indifferent retired journeyman full back to try and tell a striker how to put the ball into the back of the net when the team was crying out for change on the park.

Pendrey like Strachan did not always endear himself to the Celtic support but he seemed to be more likeable away from the match day environment and like Strachan did carry himself and represent Celtic well at the time of Tommy Burn’s death.During the celebrations at Tannadice on “Helicopter Thursday” it was obvious that Gary like the rest of Us (who were fortunate enough to be there that night) was dedicating the League Title to his and Our friend Tommy.

Garry Pendrey - Kerrydale Street

Post Celtic:
Pendrey continued his association with Gordon Strachan joining the manager at Middlesbrough from October 2009 to October 2010. He is believed to have now retired from active involvement in football.