Whitley: Jack

1906-1907 (Leeds City Player Details)

Goalkeeper

Born: Seacombe, Cheshire: 20-04-1880

Debut: v Stockport County (a): 13-04-1906

5’11” 13st 0lb (1908)

Whitley played for several clubs in the Wallesey area, Seacombe Swifts, Seacombe YMCA, and in 1897 Liscard YMCA. He joined Second Division Darwen in 1899, the last ever season of their Football League existence and he had played fourteen League games when he was transferred to First Division Aston Villa in May 1900 for £50, which eased the club’s financial situation. He played eleven League games at Villa Park before leaving in May 1902 to join First Division Everton. He played eleven League and three F.A. Cup games in the two years he was at Goodison Park as he played second fiddle most of the time. In August 1904 he moved to First Division Stoke and put together thirty-six League and two F.A. Cup appearances in two years, before joining Second Division Leeds City in April 1906. At Elland Road he was Harry Bromage’s understudy and played only seven League games. He left for Second Division Lincoln City but soon moved again without playing a first team game. In August 1907 he joined First Division Chelsea and there he found his niche. He stayed at Stamford Bridge for seven seasons, making one hundred and twenty-seven League and eleven F.A. Cup appearances. He was with the Pensioners when they were relegated in 1909-10 and played a big part in their promotion back to the top flight two years later in 1911-12. He retired at the end of the 1913-14 season playing his final game for Chelsea on 14th April 1914 against Bradford City at Valley Parade. He became the Chelsea Trainer from May 1914 to May 1939. In his first season as coach he took Chelsea to their first major final, the war-time FA cup final of 1915, which they lost 0-3 to Sheffield United. He was also the England Trainer. He played Cricket for Leeds and was a keen billiards player. He died in London in 1955.