Brian Henderson made his debut for Darlington on 17th September 1952 against his old club, Carlisle United. The game ended 0-0 but Henderson made the central defence position his own from that day on.

He was regular in the side for twelve seasons until his playing career was cruelly ended with a broken leg in 1964. His last game was against Stockport County at home. The game ended in a 3-2 defeat for Darlington but Henderson's injury ended the career of one of the best defenders ever to turn out for the Quakers.

Henderson played four hundred and twenty times for Darlington in League and Cup games. Henderson continued to follow the club right up until his death on November 7th 2001.