Glenn Whelan

Glenn Whelan

Whelan with the Irish squad at UEFA Euro 2012
Personal information
Full name Glenn David Whelan[1]
Date of birth (1984-01-13) 13 January 1984[1]
Place of birth Clondalkin, Dublin, Ireland
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)[2]
Playing position Midfielder
Club information
Current team
 Stoke City
Number 6
Youth career
2000–2001 Cherry Orchard
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
2001–2004 Manchester City 0 (0)
2003 → Bury (loan) 7 (0)
2003–2004 → Bury (loan) 6 (0)
2004–2008 Sheffield Wednesday 142 (13)
2008– Stoke City 258 (5)
National team‡
2000 Republic of Ireland U16 2 (0)
2002–2005 Republic of Ireland U21 14 (2)
2007 Republic of Ireland B 1 (0)
2008– Republic of Ireland 69 (2)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 18:17, 30 April 2016 (UTC).
† Appearances (goals)

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 21:56, 16 November 2015 (UTC)

Glenn David Whelan (born 13 January 1984) is an Irish footballer who plays as a midfielder for Premier League club Stoke City and the Republic of Ireland national team.

Whelan started his career at Manchester City but only made one appearance which came in the UEFA Cup and after a loan spell at Bury he moved on to play for Sheffield Wednesday, with whom he won promotion to the Championship in May 2005. In January 2008 Whelan joined Stoke City for a fee of £500,000 with whom he helped gain promotion to the Premier League. He took a while to establish himself in Tony Pulis' first team plans in the top flight but by 2009 he became a regular and went on to play in the 2011 FA Cup Final, but his old club Manchester City beat Stoke 1–0. Whelan continued to be a regular in the side under Pulis in 2011–12 and 2012–13 and kept his place under Mark Hughes in 2013–14.

Club career

Manchester City

Whelan started his career with Manchester City joining from Irish feeder club Cherry Orchard in 2001.[3] He made a solitary appearance in the UEFA Cup coming on as a substitute for Paul Bosvelt against Total Network Solutions in August 2003,[4] before joining Bury on a one-month loan the following month.[5] After appearing in the Republic of Ireland's World Youth Cup campaign in November and December, he returned to Bury on another one-month loan on 24 December 2003.[6] In total Whelan played 15 times on loan at Bury and caught the attentions of Sheffield Wednesday manager Chris Turner.[7]

Sheffield Wednesday

Whelan joined Sheffield Wednesday on a free transfer in the summer of 2004.[8] He made his debut for Wednesday against Huddersfield Town on 21 August and in his next match, a League Cup tie against Walsall, he provided Lee Peacock with an assist and earned the praise from his manager.[9][10] He scored his first goal for Wednesday in a 1–1 draw against Walsall in the league.[11] His promising start to his Wednesday career took a knock as he was sent off in a League Cup tie against Coventry City for "violent conduct".[12] However, caretaker manager Mark Smith criticised the referee's decision.[13] Under new manager Paul Sturrock the team managed to finish in 5th position in 2004–05 claiming a play-off place where they defeated Brentford to reach the final. Whelan was voted "man of the match" in the League One play-off final against Hartlepool United at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff after scoring the game-winning third goal for Wednesday.[14][15]

After Wednesday won promotion to the Championship, Whelan was trialled as captain by Paul Sturrock after regular captain Lee Bullen was injured.[16] Wednesday were able to avoid an instant return to the third tier in 2005–06 as they finished in 19th position, Whelan playing in 46 matches that season scoring once, which came in a 2–1 defeat against Watford.[17]

In July 2006, Whelan was placed on the transfer list by Sturrock following increased competition for places in the Wednesday midfield after the arrival of Wade Small, Kenny Lunt and Yoann Folly.[18] He was subsequently removed from the transfer list by the following manager, Brian Laws.[19] Whelan repaid the faith shown in him with seven goals. He then went on to win a number of player of the year awards for the club's 2006–07 season.[20][21] His performances led to manager Laws entering into contract negotiations with Whelan.[22] Sheffield Wednesday rejected bids for Whelan from both Burnley and Plymouth Argyle in January 2008.[23] However, a £500,000 bid from Stoke City was accepted on transfer deadline day.[24]

Stoke City

Whelan joined Stoke City on 30 January 2008 for £500,000 signing a three and a half-year contract.[25] He made his first Stoke City appearance in a Championship match against Cardiff on 2 February 2008 when he came on as a substitute in the 82nd minute for Mamady Sidibe.[26] Whelan made his first Stoke City league start the following game in a 4–2 victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers.[27] He scored his first goal for Stoke in a 2–1 home defeat to Crystal Palace on 7 April 2008.[28] Whelan played 14 times for Stoke City in the 2007–08 season as Stoke finished 2nd and were promoted to the Premier League.[29]

Whelan playing for Stoke in 2010

Whelan started the club's first game in the Premier League against Bolton Wanderers.[30] Whelan didn't have a good game and as a result he didn't feature much in the first team, only playing in League Cup fixtures and even reserve games.[31] Despite this setback, Whelan was still a regular in the Irish national team. In December 2008 Whelan was being linked with a move away from the Britannia Stadium but Whelan revealed that he wanted to stay.[32] Whelan did manage to force his way back into the first team and he became an important player in Stoke's successful fight for survival. Whelan scored a last minute equaliser away against Aston Villa on 1 March.[33] Whelan signed a new four-year contract with Stoke on 15 September 2009.[34] He scored his first goal of the 2009–10 season against Tottenham Hotspur which earned Stoke a 1–0 victory.[35] He also went on to score against Manchester City in a 1–1 draw with Whelan beating fellow Irish international Shay Given. Arsenal player Aaron Ramsey praised Whelan for his support after Ramsey's suffered a leg break in a game between Stoke and Arsenal.[36]

He made his 100th appearance for Stoke in a 2–0 win over Everton on 1 January 2011.[37] After drifting in and out the starting eleven for most of the 2010–11 season Whelan made a return in March and has played a key role in Stoke's run to their first FA Cup Final.[38][39] Whelan reached a century of League appearances for the club on 8 May 2011 against Arsenal.[40] Whelan played in the 2011 FA Cup Final as Stoke lost 1–0 to his old club Manchester City.[41]

Whelan scored a rare goal for Stoke against FC Thun in the UEFA Europa League in August 2011.[42] In a match against Bolton Wanderers referee Howard Webb awarded an indirect free-kick inside the penalty area for a back-pass against Whelan after two minutes. Kevin Davies scored from the quickly-taken restart to put Bolton ahead. Stoke chairman Peter Coates criticised Webb's controversial decision to penalise Whelan.[43] He scored his first league goal for more than 18 months against Blackburn Rovers in November 2011.[44] In January 2012 manager Tony Pulis confirmed that he wants Whelan to sign a new contract stating "Every time you ask Glenn to step up to that next level, he does it. He's a good lad, very single-minded. He's got that Celtic blood in him and the determination to prove people wrong – including myself at times".[45] Whelan signed a new three-and-a-half-year contract on 11 January 2012 and said "I am loving life at the moment and things are going really well, so I am absolutely delighted to commit my long-term future to the club".[46]

In March 2012 Whelan made his 37th international appearance for the Republic of Ireland, with all of his caps coming whilst at Stoke he surpassed Gordon Banks' record becoming Stoke's most capped player.[47] In the summer of 2012 Stoke signed midfielders Charlie Adam and Steven N'Zonzi and Whelan's place in the side came under threat but he 'lifted his game' and retained his place for 2012–13 season.[48] He avoided a ban after a 'two footed' tacked on Manchester City's Javi García in the FA Cup.[49][50] Whelan played 34 times in 2012–13 as Stoke finished in 13th position.[51] He ended the season on a sour note as he was involved in a dressing room bust-up with Kenwyne Jones.[52]

At the end of the 2012–13 season Tony Pulis was replaced by Mark Hughes and Whelan stated that he hopes the change in style of play will help the team score more goals.[53] Whelan initially had to fight for his place under Hughes at the start of the 2013–14 season but he soon became a regular in the side again.[54] Whelan became a vital member of the team under Hughes and he made 36 appearances as Stoke finished in 9th position.[55] Whelan described the 2013–14 season as his best for the club.[56]

Whelan retained his place in the side at the start of the 2014–15 season before he was ruled out of six weeks suffered a fractured leg whilst on international duty with Ireland in October 2014.[57] He returned to the side in December 2014 after successfully recovering from his injury.[58] Whelan signed a two-year contract extension in January 2015.[59] In February 2015, Following an injury to captain Ryan Shawcross, Whelan acted as stand-in captain and after a woeful 4–1 defeat against Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup Whelan had a dressing room rant at his team mates.[60] Whelan played 30 times for Stoke in 2014–15 as the Potters finished in 9th position for a second season running and they ended the campaign with a 6–1 victory against Liverpool.[61][62] His performances during the campaign earn him the praise of team-mates Charlie Adam and Ryan Shawcross who both described Whelan as the teams 'unsung-hero'.[63][64]

International career

In October 2000, Whelan played for the Republic of Ireland national football team U16s in a qualifying tournament in Riga for the 2001 UEFA European Under-16 Football Championship where he came up against Andrés Iniesta. He represented the Republic of Ireland Under-20 team at the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship and has been capped 14 times by the Irish Under 21s, captaining the side on many of these occasions.

His first cap for the Republic of Ireland B national football team came on 20 November 2007 against Scotland.[65] Whelan made his debut for the senior team against Serbia in May 2008[66] and scored his first international goal against Georgia in Mainz, Germany on 6 September 2008.[67] Since the appointment of Giovanni Trapattoni, Whelan became a key member of the squad and made 11 straight appearances despite previously being considered an "also-ran".[68] He scored his second goal for Ireland against Italy with a spectacular strike from almost 25 yards on 10 October 2009 in a 2–2 draw.[69] Whelan started the matches in both legs against France as Ireland were controversially knocked out 2–1 on aggregate after extra-time.[70]

Whelan again was ever present in Ireland's midfield for the UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying and he was also part of the team that secured qualification for UEFA Euro 2012 with an unprecedented 5–1 aggregate play-off win over Estonia.[71] Whelan was named in Trapattoni's 23-man squad for the 2012 European Championships in Poland and Ukraine and was given the number 6 jersey.[72] Ireland had a poor campaign and were eliminated after losing all three of their Group C fixtures.

Whelan won his 50th Irish cap on 14 August 2013 against Wales.[73] Whelan was branded a "terrible" player by RTE pundit and former Republic of Ireland international Eamon Dunphy in the aftermath of a poor performance in a 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Sweden.[74] Whelan hit back at Dunphy stating that he is nothing more than a "media bully".[75]

Personal life

Whelan grew up in Dublin as a Liverpool supporter; however, he cites Paul McGrath as his hero.[76][77] Whilst living in Dublin, Whelan attended matches at League of Ireland side St Patrick's Athletic and cites Paul Osam as his favourite "St Pat's" player.[78] Whelan is married to Karren, with whom he has a daughter, Abbie and a son Jack.[79]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 30 April 2016[80]
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Europe Other[A] Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Manchester City 2003–04[81] Premier League 00000010—10
Total 000000100010
Bury (loan) 2003–04[81] Third Division 1301000—10150
Total 13010000010150
Sheffield Wednesday 2004–05[82] League One 3631120—31425
2005–06[83] Championship 4311020——461
2006–07[84] Championship 3872011——418
2007–08[85] Championship 2522031——303
Total 142136182003115917
Stoke City 2007–08[85] Championship 1410000——141
2008–09[86] Premier League 2611042——313
2009–10[87] Premier League 3324010——382
2010–11[88] Premier League 2907030——390
2011–12[89] Premier League 301402071—432
2012–13[51] Premier League 3202000——340
2013–14[55] Premier League 3201030——360
2014–15[61] Premier League 2802000——300
2015–16[90] Premier League 3400040——380
Total 258522017271003048
Career total 41318291254814147925
A. ^ The "Other" column constitutes appearances and goals in the Football League play-offs and Football League Trophy.

International

As of match played 16 November 2015[91][92]
National teamYearAppsGoals
Republic of Ireland
200871
2009101
201080
2011110
201290
2013100
201460
201580
Total692

Honours

Club

Sheffield Wednesday
Stoke City

Individual

References

  1. 1 2 Hugman, Barry J. (2005). The PFA Premier & Football League Players' Records 1946–2005. Queen Anne Press. p. 650. ISBN 1-85291-665-6.
  2. ↑ "Premier League Player Profile Glenn Whelan". Premier League. Barclays Premier League. 2015. Retrieved 14 January 2015.
  3. ↑ "Glenn Whelan: Irishman seeks final vindication against club that spurned him". London: independent.co.uk. 3 July 2011.
  4. ↑ "Man City sail through". BBC Sport. 28 August 2003. Retrieved 10 November 2007.
  5. ↑ "Bury bag Whelan". BBC Sport. 29 September 2003. Retrieved 10 November 2007.
  6. ↑ "Bury sign Whelan on loan". BBC Sport. 24 December 2003. Retrieved 10 November 2007.
  7. ↑ "Owls track Whelan". BBC Sport. 30 March 2004. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
  8. ↑ Johnson, William (21 July 2004). "Premiership transfers". London: Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 1 February 2008.
  9. ↑ "Sheff Wed 1–0 Walsall". BBC Sport. 5 August 2004. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
  10. ↑ "Turner praise for Whelan". BBC Sport. 26 August 2004. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
  11. ↑ "Walsall 1–1 Sheff Wed". BBC Sport. 11 September 2004. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
  12. ↑ "Coventry 1–0 Sheff Wed". BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
  13. ↑ "Owls boss rages at ref". BBC Sport. 23 September 2004. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
  14. ↑ "Hartlepool vs Sheffield Wed". swfc.co.uk. Archived from the original on 5 March 2010. Retrieved 5 July 2011.
  15. ↑ "Hartlepool 2–4 Sheff Wed (aet)". BBC Sport. 29 May 2005. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
  16. ↑ Rawcliffe, Jonathan (3 September 2005). "Whelan targets Owls consolidation". BBC Sport. Retrieved 5 July 2011.
  17. ↑ "Watford 2–1 Sheff Wed". BBC Sport. 19 November 2005. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
  18. ↑ "Owls bag Saints midfielder Folly". BBC Sport. 12 July 2006. Retrieved 25 February 2008.
  19. ↑ "Owls enter Whelan contract talks". BBC Sport. 26 June 2007. Retrieved 25 February 2008.
  20. ↑ "Whelan Bags Award". Vital Network. 20 April 2007. Retrieved 25 February 2008.
  21. ↑ "Whelan Bags Owls Gong". Vital Network. 26 April 2007. Retrieved 25 February 2008.
  22. ↑ "Owls enter Whelan contract talks". BBC Sport. 26 June 2007. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
  23. ↑ "Owls reject Burnley's Whelan bid". BBC Sport. 10 January 2008. Retrieved 5 July 2011.
  24. ↑ "Kavanagh Returns As Whelan Leaves". swfc.co.uk. Archived from the original on 6 January 2013. Retrieved 5 May 2011.
  25. ↑ "Stoke sign Whelan and Gallagher". BBC Sport. 1 February 2008. Retrieved 25 February 2008.
  26. ↑ "Stoke 2–1 Cardiff". BBC Sport. Retrieved 9 January 2013.
  27. ↑ "Wolves 2–4 Stoke". BBC Sport. Retrieved 9 January 2013.
  28. ↑ "Stoke 1–2 Crystal Palace". BBC Sport. 8 April 2008. Retrieved 24 May 2008.
  29. ↑ "Stoke 0–0 Leicester". BBC Sport. Retrieved 9 January 2013.
  30. ↑ "Bolton 3–1 Stoke". BBC Sport. Retrieved 9 January 2013.
  31. ↑ "Stoke City 2 Fulham 2". Stoke City F.C. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  32. ↑ "Whelan wants potters future". Sky Sports. 8 July 2008. Retrieved 9 July 2009.
  33. ↑ James, Stuart (2 March 2009). "Whelan's late equaliser stuns Villa". London: Guardian. Retrieved 15 May 2008.
  34. ↑ "Glenn's new deal". Stoke City F.C. 15 July 2009. Archived from the original on 6 January 2013. Retrieved 15 July 2009.
  35. ↑ "Tottenham Hotsupr 0–1 Stoke City". Stoke City F.C. 24 October 2009. Archived from the original on 6 January 2013. Retrieved 24 October 2009.
  36. ↑ "Ramsey vows to return 'stronger'". BBC. 5 March 2010. Retrieved 5 March 2010.
  37. ↑ "Stoke 2 – 0 Everton". BBC Sport. 1 January 2011.
  38. ↑ "Whelan's back ... and he's playing for keeps". thisisstaffordshire.co.uk. 28 April 2011.
  39. ↑ "Stoke will not relax before FA Cup final – Glenn Whelan". BBC Sport. 8 May 2011.
  40. ↑ "Stoke 3 – 1 Arsenal". BBC Sport. 8 May 2011.
  41. ↑ "Stoke 0–1 Man City". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 January 2013.
  42. ↑ "Stoke 4 – 1 FC Thun (agg 5 – 1)". BBC Sport. Retrieved 10 January 2012.
  43. ↑ "Peter Coates criticises Howard Webb's display at Bolton". BBC Sport. Retrieved 10 January 2012.
  44. ↑ "Stoke 3 – 1 Blackburn". BBC Sport. Retrieved 10 January 2012.
  45. ↑ "Pulis hopes for double deal boost". The Sentinel. Retrieved 10 January 2012.
  46. ↑ "Glenn Whelan to push on after signing Stoke City deal". BBC Sport. Retrieved 16 January 2012.
  47. ↑ "Glenn Whelan proud of Stoke City caps record". BBC Sport. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
  48. ↑ "Glenn Whelan: Stoke City new boys have lifted my game". The Sentinel. Retrieved 9 January 2013.
  49. ↑ "Stoke's Glen Whelan in clear over tackle on Javi Garcia". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 January 2013.
  50. ↑ "Glenn Whelan in the clear over controversial challenge". The Sentinel. Retrieved 28 January 2013.
  51. 1 2 "Games played by Glenn Whelan in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  52. ↑ "Stoke City pig's head incident: Jones apologises to Whelan". BBC Sport. 19 May 2013. Retrieved 5 June 2013.
  53. ↑ "Stoke City: Glenn Whelan aiming for more goals in new role". The Sentinel. Retrieved 11 August 2013.
  54. ↑ "Glenn Whelan thriving on the battle for places". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 3 April 2014.
  55. 1 2 "Games played by Glenn Whelan in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  56. ↑ "Glenn Whelan says it's been a great season for the Potters". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
  57. ↑ "Glenn Whelan: Stoke midfielder out for six weeks with broken leg". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 October 2014.
  58. ↑ "Glenn Whelan ready to fight for spot in midfield". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
  59. ↑ "EXCLUSIVE: Key Duo Extend Their Stay". Stoke City F.C. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
  60. ↑ "I stand by my dressing-room attack says Glenn Whelan". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  61. 1 2 "Games played by Glenn Whelan in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Retrieved 16 August 2014.
  62. ↑ "Stoke 6-1 Liverpool". BBC Sport. Retrieved 25 May 2015.
  63. ↑ "Charlie Adam hails 'unsung hero' Glenn Whelan". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 26 May 2015.
  64. ↑ "Ryan Shawcross sings praises for unsung hero Glenn Whelan". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
  65. ↑ Lindsay, Clive (20 November 2007). "Scotland B 1–1 Rep of Ireland B". BBC Sport. Retrieved 25 February 2008.
  66. ↑ "Trapattoni opts for two debutants". BBC Sport. 23 May 2008. Retrieved 24 May 2008.
  67. ↑ "Ireland off to perfect start". Sky Sports. 6 September 2008. Retrieved 6 September 2008.
  68. ↑ Hytner, David (5 June 2009). "Whelan plays key role in renaissance". Irish Times. Retrieved 12 June 2009.
  69. ↑ McCaig, Alvin (10 October 2009). "Rep of Ireland 2–2 Italy". BBC Sport. Retrieved 12 October 2009.
  70. ↑ "France 1–1 Rep of Ire (agg 2–1)". BBCSport. 18 November 2009.
  71. ↑ "Duff – Euro qualification an 'amazing feeling'". RTÉ Sport. 15 November 2011. Retrieved 15 November 2011.
  72. ↑ "Euro 2012 squad". irishtimes.com. 8 May 2012.
  73. ↑ "Tribute to Glenn Whelan after 50th Ireland cap". The Sentinel. Retrieved 15 August 2013.
  74. ↑ "Ireland star branded 'terrible' by former player". ESPN. Retrieved 10 September 2013.
  75. ↑ "Glenn Whelan rips into TV critic Eamon Dunphy". The Sentinel. Retrieved 13 September 2013.
  76. ↑ "Glenn Whelan confesses to childhood Liverpool secret". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 29 November 2014.
  77. ↑ Stoke City Official Matchday Magazine 16 February 2012 v Valencia
  78. ↑ O'Hehir, Paul. "OSO WAS MY HERO; Whelan: Paul inspired me to play football.". The Mirror. Retrieved 6 January 2013.
  79. ↑ Stoke City Official Matchday Magazine 15 December 2012 v Everton
  80. ↑ "Glenn Whelan". Soccerbase. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  81. 1 2 "Games played by Glenn Whelan in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  82. ↑ "Games played by Glenn Whelan in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  83. ↑ "Games played by Glenn Whelan in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  84. ↑ "Games played by Glenn Whelan in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  85. 1 2 "Games played by Glenn Whelan in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  86. ↑ "Games played by Glenn Whelan in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  87. ↑ "Games played by Glenn Whelan in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  88. ↑ "Games played by Glenn Whelan in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  89. ↑ "Games played by Glenn Whelan in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  90. ↑ "Games played by Glenn Whelan in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Retrieved 16 August 2014.
  91. ↑ "Whelan, Glenn". National Football Teams. Retrieved 5 June 2011.
  92. ↑ "Glenn Whelan". eu-football-info. Retrieved 14 October 2015.

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