Danny Whitaker
Encyclopedia
Daniel Phillip "Danny" Whitaker (born 14 November 1980) is an English
football midfielder
who plays for League One
side .
A former Manchester United
Academy
player, he turned professional with in 2001. He spent five years with the club, and made over 200 appearances in all competitions, before he switched to in June 2006. He played over 100 games for the Vale in two seasons, before he signed for in June 2008. Again a first team regular, he left after two seasons to join Chesterfield in May 2010. He helped the club to the League Two
title in 2010–11, and also won himself a place on the division's PFA Team of the Year
.
, though he switched Moss Lane
for Moss Rose
, signing with Macclesfield Town
. He scored on his Football League
debut; during a 2–1 home defeat to Exeter City
on 2 February 2002. He went on to make another 15 Third Division
appearances that season, earning a fresh contract upon the season's end.
A regular in the 2002–03 season, he scored a hat-trick
in the League Cup
4–1 triumph over Barnsley
on 11 September. In most unusual fashion all three goals came in the second period of extra time. With ten goals before the winter break he was linked to both Oldham Athletic
and Preston North End
. However manager David Moss was highly dismissive of such speculation, saying: "Quite frankly, I am sick and tired of reading about players who have just signed two-year contracts but want to get away. Danny Whitaker will be going nowhere except Macclesfield reserves if he doesn't improve." The club insisted that Whitaker was too valuable a player to let go. This transfer talk came despite him having recently signed a contract to keep him with the Silkmen until June 2005.
Rated as a star player before the start of the 2003–04 season, he had a rather quiet season with just six goals, going 22 games without a goal from November to the season's finish.
He scored just four goals in the 2004–05 season, though manager Brian Horton
was still keen to hold on to him, despite nine others being deemed unworthy of a new deal.
Six goals in 45 appearances followed in 2005–06. However, despite having been established in the heart of the Macclesfield midfield for the past four years and winning the club's player of the year award, he was released at the end of the season.
with Port Vale
in June 2006. He played 51 games in his first season at Vale Park
.
At the end of the 2007–08 season, where Whitaker again played 40+ games, he was offered a new contract along with three other Port Vale players. But in May he rejected the contract and was told he could look for another club. However, Lee Sinnott
told Whitaker that he would get back to him with a better offer if chairman Bill Bratt
could raise some more money, the wage bill having been cut due to relegation
. In June he was offered an improved deal. Whilst mulling over the offer he was given a deadline. On 20 June 2008, he turned down the chance to stay at Vale, and instead opted to join Oldham Athletic
, still in League One.
season. He was released at the end of the 2009–10 season, despite missing only a handful of games during his spell at the club.
in May 2010, linking up with his old boss John Sheridan. He started the 2010–11
campaign with three goals in as many league games, having bagged a hat-trick against Hereford United
. Playing in every one of the club's league games, scoring fifteen goals in the process, Chesterfield won promotion as champions of League Two
. He was also named in the PFA Team of the Year
, along with teammates Craig Davies and Tommy Lee
.
with Chesterfield
! colspan=2|Club Performance
! colspan=2|League
! colspan=2|FA Cup
! colspan=2|League Cup
! colspan=2|Total>
! Apps !! Goals !! Apps !! Goals !! Apps !! Goals !! Apps !! Goals>
2001–02
Macclesfield Town
16
2
0
0
0
0
16 2
2002–03
41
10
3
1
2
3
47 14
2003–04
36
5
4
0
1
1
42 6
2004–05
38
2
3
1
1
0
45 4
2005–06
41
4
2
0
2
1
51 6
2006–07
Port Vale
45
6
2
1
4
1
53 8
2007–08
41
7
3
0
1
0
45 7
2008–09
Oldham Athletic
39
6
1
1
2
0
43 8
2009–10
41
2
1
0
1
0
44 3
2010–11
Chesterfield
46
15
2
0
1
0
51 15
2011–12
7
1
0
0
1
2
8 3
Career Total
393 60 21 4 16 8 445 76
Notes
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
football midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
who plays for League One
Football League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
side .
A former Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
Academy
Manchester United F.C. Reserves and Academy
Manchester United Football Club Reserves are the reserve team of Manchester United F.C. They play in the North section of the Premier Reserve League. They have been champions four times since the league's inauguration in 1999; in 2002, 2005, 2006 and 2010...
player, he turned professional with in 2001. He spent five years with the club, and made over 200 appearances in all competitions, before he switched to in June 2006. He played over 100 games for the Vale in two seasons, before he signed for in June 2008. Again a first team regular, he left after two seasons to join Chesterfield in May 2010. He helped the club to the League Two
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
title in 2010–11, and also won himself a place on the division's PFA Team of the Year
PFA Team of the Year
The Professional Footballers' Association Team of the Year is an annual award given to a set of 44 footballers in the top four tiers of English football; the Premier League, the Championship, League One and League Two, whom are seen to be deserving of being named in a "Team of the Year".The award...
.
Macclesfield Town
Whitaker was a Manchester United juniorManchester United F.C. Reserves and Academy
Manchester United Football Club Reserves are the reserve team of Manchester United F.C. They play in the North section of the Premier Reserve League. They have been champions four times since the league's inauguration in 1999; in 2002, 2005, 2006 and 2010...
, though he switched Moss Lane
Moss Lane
Moss Lane is a multi-purpose stadium in Altrincham, England. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home ground of Altrincham and Manchester United Reserves...
for Moss Rose
Moss Rose
Moss Rose is a multi-purpose stadium in Macclesfield, England. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home ground of Macclesfield Town F.C....
, signing with Macclesfield Town
Macclesfield Town F.C.
Macclesfield Town Football Club is an English football team. The club was formed in 1874 and is based in the town of Macclesfield in Cheshire. The team play its home games at the 6,355 capacity Moss Rose stadium...
. He scored on his Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
debut; during a 2–1 home defeat to Exeter City
Exeter City F.C.
Exeter City Football Club is an English football club, based in Exeter, which is owned by its fans through the Exeter City Supporters Trust.The club was a member of the Football League from 1920 to 2003...
on 2 February 2002. He went on to make another 15 Third Division
Football League Third Division
The Football League Third Division was the 3 tier of English Football from 1920 until 1992 when after the formation of the Football Association Premier League saw the league renamed The Football League Division Two...
appearances that season, earning a fresh contract upon the season's end.
A regular in the 2002–03 season, he scored a hat-trick
Hat-trick
A hat-trick or hat trick in sport is the achievement of a positive feat three times during a game, or other achievements based on threes. The term was first used in 1858 in cricket to describe HH Stephenson's feat of taking three wickets in three balls. A collection was held for Stephenson, and he...
in the League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
4–1 triumph over Barnsley
Barnsley F.C.
Barnsley Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Nicknamed the Tykes, they were founded in 1887 under the name Barnsley St. Peter's...
on 11 September. In most unusual fashion all three goals came in the second period of extra time. With ten goals before the winter break he was linked to both Oldham Athletic
Oldham Athletic A.F.C.
Oldham Athletic Association Football Club is an English association football club based at Boundary Park, on Sheepfoot Lane in Oldham, Greater Manchester. The club currently competes in the Football League One, the third tier of the English league...
and Preston North End
Preston North End F.C.
Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One...
. However manager David Moss was highly dismissive of such speculation, saying: "Quite frankly, I am sick and tired of reading about players who have just signed two-year contracts but want to get away. Danny Whitaker will be going nowhere except Macclesfield reserves if he doesn't improve." The club insisted that Whitaker was too valuable a player to let go. This transfer talk came despite him having recently signed a contract to keep him with the Silkmen until June 2005.
Rated as a star player before the start of the 2003–04 season, he had a rather quiet season with just six goals, going 22 games without a goal from November to the season's finish.
He scored just four goals in the 2004–05 season, though manager Brian Horton
Brian Horton
Brian Horton is an English former footballer and manager, who is working as Phil Brown's assistant at Preston North End.Horton played for Hednesford Town, Port Vale, Brighton & Hove Albion, Luton Town and Hull City as a midfielder...
was still keen to hold on to him, despite nine others being deemed unworthy of a new deal.
Six goals in 45 appearances followed in 2005–06. However, despite having been established in the heart of the Macclesfield midfield for the past four years and winning the club's player of the year award, he was released at the end of the season.
Port Vale
Now a free agent, Whitaker moved up to League OneFootball League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
with Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
in June 2006. He played 51 games in his first season at Vale Park
Vale Park
Vale Park is a football stadium in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, England. It is the home ground of Port Vale F.C., who have played at the ground since 1950....
.
At the end of the 2007–08 season, where Whitaker again played 40+ games, he was offered a new contract along with three other Port Vale players. But in May he rejected the contract and was told he could look for another club. However, Lee Sinnott
Lee Sinnott
Lee Sinnott is an English former professional footballer turned football manager, who is in charge at Conference North side Altrincham....
told Whitaker that he would get back to him with a better offer if chairman Bill Bratt
Bill Bratt
William Amos "Bill" Bratt MBE is the former chairman of Port Vale Football Club, who served the club in this post from 2003 to 2011....
could raise some more money, the wage bill having been cut due to relegation
Promotion and relegation
In many sports leagues around the world, promotion and relegation is a process that takes place at the end of each season. Through it, teams are transferred between divisions based on their performance that season...
. In June he was offered an improved deal. Whilst mulling over the offer he was given a deadline. On 20 June 2008, he turned down the chance to stay at Vale, and instead opted to join Oldham Athletic
Oldham Athletic A.F.C.
Oldham Athletic Association Football Club is an English association football club based at Boundary Park, on Sheepfoot Lane in Oldham, Greater Manchester. The club currently competes in the Football League One, the third tier of the English league...
, still in League One.
Oldham Athletic
Whitaker scored eight goals in 42 appearances for the Latics during the 2008–092008–09 in English football
The 2008–09 season was the 129th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:* West Bromwich Albion, Stoke City and Hull City were all playing in the Premier League after winning promotion from the Championship last season. Stoke returned to the top flight after a 23-year absence, while...
season. He was released at the end of the 2009–10 season, despite missing only a handful of games during his spell at the club.
Chesterfield
Whitaker was signed by ChesterfieldChesterfield F.C.
Chesterfield Football Club is an English football club based in Chesterfield, Derbyshire. The club currently plays in Football League One, the third tier of English football. Despite being the fourth oldest Football League club in England, they have spent most of their existence in the lower...
in May 2010, linking up with his old boss John Sheridan. He started the 2010–11
2010–11 Chesterfield F.C. season
This page shows the progress of Chesterfield F.C. in the 2010-11 football season. This year they play their games in League Two in the English league system.-Results:-League table:-Results summary:-Results by round:...
campaign with three goals in as many league games, having bagged a hat-trick against Hereford United
Hereford United F.C.
Hereford United Football Club is an English professional football club based in the city of Hereford. Founded in 1924, they are competing in Football League Two in the 2011–12 season. Hereford have played at Edgar Street for their entire history and are nicknamed 'The Whites' or 'The Lilywhites',...
. Playing in every one of the club's league games, scoring fifteen goals in the process, Chesterfield won promotion as champions of League Two
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
. He was also named in the PFA Team of the Year
PFA Team of the Year
The Professional Footballers' Association Team of the Year is an annual award given to a set of 44 footballers in the top four tiers of English football; the Premier League, the Championship, League One and League Two, whom are seen to be deserving of being named in a "Team of the Year".The award...
, along with teammates Craig Davies and Tommy Lee
Tommy Lee (footballer)
Thomas Edward "Tommy" Lee is an English football goalkeeper, who plays for Chesterfield....
.
Honours
Individual- Football League TwoFootball League TwoFootball League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
PFA Team of the YearPFA Team of the YearThe Professional Footballers' Association Team of the Year is an annual award given to a set of 44 footballers in the top four tiers of English football; the Premier League, the Championship, League One and League Two, whom are seen to be deserving of being named in a "Team of the Year".The award...
: 2010–112010–11 in English footballThe 2010–11 season was the 131st season of competitive football in England.The season began on 6 August 2010 for the Football Leagues, with the Premier League and Football Conference both starting eight days later on 14 August 2010. The Championship, League One, and League Two ended on 7 May...
with Chesterfield
- Football League TwoFootball League TwoFootball League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
champion: 2010–112010–11 Chesterfield F.C. seasonThis page shows the progress of Chesterfield F.C. in the 2010-11 football season. This year they play their games in League Two in the English league system.-Results:-League table:-Results summary:-Results by round:...
Career statistics
! colspan=2|League
! colspan=2|FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
! colspan=2|League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
! colspan=2|Total>
! Apps !! Goals !! Apps !! Goals !! Apps !! Goals !! Apps !! Goals>
Macclesfield Town F.C.
Macclesfield Town Football Club is an English football team. The club was formed in 1874 and is based in the town of Macclesfield in Cheshire. The team play its home games at the 6,355 capacity Moss Rose stadium...
2006–07 Port Vale F.C. season
The 2006–07 season was Port Vale's ninety-fifth season of football in the Football League, and third successive season in League One. Martin Foyle's side again finished in mid-table, whilst exiting the FA Cup and the League Trophy at the Second Round...
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
2007–08 Port Vale F.C. season
The 2007–08 season was Port Vale's ninety-sixth season of football in the Football League, and fourth successive season in League One. Vale finished second-from-bottom, and were relegated, some twelve points from safety. Manager Martin Foyle left the club in September, and Lee Sinnott failed to...
Oldham Athletic A.F.C.
Oldham Athletic Association Football Club is an English association football club based at Boundary Park, on Sheepfoot Lane in Oldham, Greater Manchester. The club currently competes in the Football League One, the third tier of the English league...
2010–11 Chesterfield F.C. season
This page shows the progress of Chesterfield F.C. in the 2010-11 football season. This year they play their games in League Two in the English league system.-Results:-League table:-Results summary:-Results by round:...
Chesterfield F.C.
Chesterfield Football Club is an English football club based in Chesterfield, Derbyshire. The club currently plays in Football League One, the third tier of English football. Despite being the fourth oldest Football League club in England, they have spent most of their existence in the lower...
Notes
- Football League TrophyFootball League TrophyThe Football League Trophy, currently known as the Johnstone's Paint Trophy for sponsorship reasons, is an annual English association football knock-out competition open to the 48 clubs in Football League One and Football League Two, the bottom two divisions in the four fully professional top...
stats included in totals.