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David Wheater

David Wheater
Wheater playing for Middlesbrough in 2009
Personal information
Full name David James Wheater[1]
Date of birth (1987-02-14) 14 February 1987 (age 37)
Place of birth Redcar, England
Height 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)[2]
Position(s) Centre back
Youth career
1997–2004 Middlesbrough
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2004–2011 Middlesbrough 140 (9)
2006 → Doncaster Rovers (loan) 7 (1)
2006 → Wolverhampton Wanderers (loan) 1 (0)
2007 → Darlington (loan) 15 (2)
2011–2019 Bolton Wanderers 212 (15)
2019–2021 Oldham Athletic 34 (4)
2022–2023 Darlington 19 (1)
Total 428 (32)
International career
2002–2003 England U16 2 (0)
2004 England U17 7 (0)
2004 England U18 1 (0)
2005–2006 England U19 7 (0)
2007–2009 England U21 11 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

David James Wheater (born 14 February 1987) is an English former professional footballer who played as a defender. Primarily a centre back, he announced his retirement on 1 September 2023. In 2023, he began coaching young players in his own academy W2 Football Academy.

Wheater started his professional career at Middlesbrough in 2004, having graduated through the club's youth teams. He had three loan spells away from Middlesbrough during the 2006–07 season; at Doncaster Rovers, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Darlington (loan). An injury to Jonathan Woodgate at the start of the following season saw Wheater become a regular player for Middlesbrough, and he would make a total of 140 league appearances for the club before switching to Bolton Wanderers in January 2011. After eight and a half years with the club, he spent two seasons with Oldham Athletic and then returned to Darlington in 2022.

Wheater has represented England at under-16, under-17, under-18, under-19, and under-21 levels. Wheater was called up to the senior side in 2008 but did not play.

Playing career

[edit]

Middlesbrough

[edit]

Wheater was born in 1987 in Redcar, which was then in the county of Cleveland. He is a product of the Middlesbrough youth system, and was promoted to the first team at the age of 17 for the 2004–05 season, after tasting success in the FA Youth Cup. He and teammates Andrew Taylor, Matthew Bates and Adam Johnson were part of the team that won the 2004 FA Youth Cup, and also played the previous season's final with Bates and Taylor, but lost out to Manchester United.[3]

Wheater in Middlesbrough colours

He joined Wolverhampton Wanderers on a three-month loan in September 2006.[4] However, he returned to Middlesbrough on 15 November, after making just one first team appearance.[5] He also had loan spells at Doncaster Rovers, scoring once against Gillingham[6] and Darlington. During the 2007–08 pre-season, Jonathan Woodgate suffered an injury, that allowed Wheater to start in his place during pre-season. Wheater's form in pre-season, earned him a starting XI place for the opening day Premier League fixture – his form then continued, which triggered the transfer of Woodgate to Tottenham Hotspur, as Wheater became the first name on the 'Boro team sheet.[citation needed] Wheater was named in an understrength Middlesbrough side away to Bristol City in the FA Cup third round, when he saved his team with a goal as he burst forward from the back and scored the winner in a 2–1 at Ashton Gate Stadium. He signed a three-and-a-half-year contract extension in February 2008, which tied him to Middlesbrough until June 2011.

Wheater experienced his best season of football during the 2007–08 season, starting as a regular for Gareth Southgate's side and becoming an imposing force at the back. Wheater scored four goals in all competitions during his 2007–08 breakthrough season. At the end of the year, he won the North East Football Writers' Association Young Player of the Year and Player of the Year awards for his exploits.[7] Unfortunately, Middlesbrough were relegated at the end of the 2008–09 season, but Wheater decided to stay to try to help the club regain promotion.[8]

Despite being only 22, Wheater was appointed captain for the 2009–10 season. He experienced his first taste of league captaincy against Bristol City in a 2–1 loss, but when new manager Gordon Strachan was appointed, Strachan decided to hand the captain's armband to the more experienced Gary O'Neil, to let Wheater concentrate more on developing his game.[9] He scored his first league goal in 18 months on 6 February against Ipswich Town to rescue a draw.[10]

He scored his first goal of the 2010–11 season against Reading, to make the scoreline 3–1, and help Middlesbrough secure back to back home wins in the same week. He made his last appearance against Bristol City on 15 January 2011, where he played the full 90 minutes. Middlesbrough won 4–0. His last goal in a Boro shirt was on New Year's Day against Leeds United, which ended in a 1–1 draw.

Bolton Wanderers

[edit]

On 20 January 2011, Wheater completed a move to Bolton Wanderers on a three-and-a-half-year contract following a few weeks of negotiations for an undisclosed fee,[11] and made his debut on 29 January in the FA Cup game at home to Wigan Athletic.[12] He made his league debut when coming on as a first-half substitute for the injured Zat Knight in the 2–0 home win over Everton on 13 February. On 24 September, in his first league start of the 2011–12 season replacing the ill Gary Cahill, Wheater received a red card for holding back Theo Walcott during Bolton's game at Arsenal. Two months later on 26 November, while playing in the right-back position, he received his second dismissal of the season when challenging Everton winger Diniyar Bilyaletdinov in a challenge which was deemed a red card by the referee Michael Oliver, which resulted in a four-game ban.[13]

Wheater scored his first goal for Bolton in a 2–2 away draw at Macclesfield Town in the third round of the FA Cup on 7 January 2012. His first league goals for Bolton came when he netted both goals in a 2–1 win against local rivals Blackburn Rovers on 24 March.

On 7 May 2012, he was ruled out of action for up to nine months after rupturing an anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in Bolton's 2–2 draw with West Bromwich Albion the previous day.[14] His return to the first team came ten months later as he came on as a late substitute in Bolton's 4–1 win against Hull City.[15] Wheater signed a contract extension on 21 July 2013, extending his contract until summer 2016.[16] At the end of the 2015–16 season, the club confirmed that he would be leaving when the contract expired.[17] Despite this, Wheater still trained with the club and played in most of their pre season friendlies for the 2016–17 season, as a trialist player. He then re-signed for the club on a one-year contract on severely reduced wages.[18] Bolton finished the season in second place, earning promotion back to the Championship at the first attempt. Wheater was named as Bolton player of the season for the 2016–17 season.[19] Wheater, alongside defensive partner Mark Beevers, was also named in the League One Team of the Season[20] and Wheater was also voted PFA Fans' Sky Bet League One Player of the Season.[21]

On 1 June 2017, Wheater signed a new one-year deal with the club with a contract extension option.[22] Wheater's only goal of the 2017–2018 season came on the final day, scoring the second goal in a 3–2 win against Nottingham Forest, which kept Bolton in the Championship at the expense of Barnsley and Burton Albion.[23] Bolton took up the contract extension option on 7 June 2018, extending his contract for another year [24] For the 2018–2019 season, Wheater was captain.[25] Wheater was released at the end of his contract in June 2019, however despite this he took part in most of Bolton's pre-season matches for the 2019–2020 season, turning down contract offers from Kilmarnock, Salford City, and Oldham Athletic as he wanted to stay at Bolton. Wheater had agreed a one-year contract, on severely reduced wages, to re-sign for Bolton, with a second year if he played in 30 matches, though Oldham owner Abdallah Lemsagam talked him out of it, stating that the lower wages would not be fair to his family.[26]

Oldham Athletic

[edit]

After originally turning Oldham down in an attempt to remain at Bolton, Wheater signed for local rivals Oldham Athletic on 1 August 2019 on a one-year deal with a second year option included, earning £4,000 per week.[27][28] He made his debut two days later, starting in a 1–0 defeat against Forest Green Rovers[29] and scored his first goal for Oldham on 24 August in a 2–1 away win against Cambridge United.[30] On 29 August Wheater was named the Oldham captain.[31] In January 2020 Bolton made a bid for Wheater, and owner Abdallah Lemsagam assumed Wheater would leave and join his former club, though Wheater decided to remain at Oldham.[32] He finished the season with 35 appearances and 4 goals and his extra year option was activated as he needed to have played 20 matches to get the extra year. On 21 September 2020 Wheater, and teammate Gary Woods, were removed from the first team and forced to train with the youth team as Oldham had been trying to force them out of their contracts.[33][34] On 12 March 2021, he was released.[35]

Return to Darlington

[edit]

Later that year, Wheater had surgery on a back problem, and did his rehabilitation with Darlington F.C.'s physiotherapist. When fit, he trained with his former club, and signed for them in late February 2022 on a non-contract basis.[36] On 5 April 2022, Wheater signed a contract that would see him remain at the club until the end of the 2022–23 season.[37] That season was disrupted by injuries, his contract was not renewed, and by its end he was contemplating retirement.[38][39] He confirmed his retirement on 1 September.[40]

International career

[edit]

Wheater represented England at under-16, under-17, under-18, under-19 and under-21 level. He played at the 2004 U17 European Championships and earned his debut under-21 call-up in August 2007 along with the uncapped Adam Johnson after impressing while on loan at Darlington.[41] He was a regular in the 2009 U21 European Championship qualifying. In October 2008 he scored the equaliser against Wales in the first leg of the play-offs and England went on to win 3–2 and 5–4 on aggregate to qualify. He was supposed to be in the squad for the tournament but withdrew after sustaining an injury.[42]

On 20 March 2008, Wheater was called up to the England squad by boss Fabio Capello,[43] however he was not included in Capello's final 23.

On 15 October 2008, Wheater was called up into the England senior team as a replacement for John Terry when the England captain withdrew due to an injury picked up playing for Chelsea. Wheater's first real taste of senior international football came when he was named as a substitute for the games against France and Trinidad and Tobago in 2008, but he did not leave the bench on either occasion.

Coaching career

[edit]

After leaving Darlington Wheater, and fellow former footballer Stuart Wise, set up W2 Football Academy for boys and girls aged 5 to 11 with the duo coaching them. Though he had now started coaching, he stated he had not yet decided to end his playing career. It wasn't his first time coaching players, as he had previously done some academy coaching sessions whilst doing his coaching badges when he was a player for Bolton Wanderers.[44] He changed his mind on 1 September however, and officially announced his retirement.[40]

Career statistics

[edit]
As of end of 2022–23 season
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Middlesbrough 2004–05[45] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 1[a] 0 1 0
2005–06[46] Premier League 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0
2006–07[47] Premier League 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1
2007–08[48] Premier League 34 3 4 1 2 0 0 0 40 4
2008–09[49] Premier League 32 1 5 1 1 0 0 0 38 2
2009–10[50] Championship 42 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 44 1
2010–11[51] Championship 24 3 0 0 2 0 0 0 26 3
Total 140 9 10 2 6 0 1 0 157 11
Doncaster Rovers (loan) 2005–06[46] League One 7 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 1
Wolverhampton Wanderers (loan) 2006–07[47] Championship 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Darlington (loan) 2006–07[47] League One 15 2 0 0 0 0 1[b] 0 16 2
Bolton Wanderers 2010–11[51] Premier League 7 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 11 0
2011–12[52] Premier League 24 2 4 1 2 0 0 0 30 3
2012–13[53] Championship 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
2013–14[54] Championship 23 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 23 1
2014–15[55] Championship 17 1 3 0 1 0 0 0 21 1
2015–16[56] Championship 28 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 29 1
2016–17[57] League One 43 9 4 0 0 0 2[c] 0 49 9
2017–18[58] Championship 33 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 35 1
2018–19[59] Championship 33 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 34 0
Total 212 15 18 1 4 0 2 0 236 16
Oldham Athletic 2019–20[60] League Two 34 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 35 4
2020–21[61] League Two 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 34 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 35 4
Darlington 2021–22[62] National League North 8 1 — — — 8 1
2022–23[62][63] National League North 11 0 1 0 — 0 0 12 0
Total 19 1 1 0 — 0 0 20 1
Career total 428 32 30 3 10 0 4 0 472 35
  1. ^ Appearance in UEFA Cup
  2. ^ Appearance in Football League Trophy
  3. ^ Appearances in EFL Trophy

Honours

[edit]

Bolton Wanderers

Individual

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "EFL: Club retained and released lists published". English Football League. 23 June 2016. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
  2. ^ "David Wheater". Bolton Wanderers F.C. Archived from the original on 30 March 2018. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
  3. ^ "David Wheater". Evening Gazette. 13 September 2006. Archived from the original on 1 March 2012. Retrieved 1 March 2012.
  4. ^ "Wolves snap up Middlesbrough ace". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 28 September 2006. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
  5. ^ "Wheater returns to Middlesbrough". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 16 November 2006. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
  6. ^ "Doncaster 2–0 Gillingham". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 18 February 2006. Retrieved 7 February 2010.
  7. ^ "Jonno is Region's top young player". Middlesbrough F.C. 6 November 2009. Archived from the original on 20 November 2009.
  8. ^ Fifield, Dominic (25 May 2009). "David Wheater accepts transition period but commits himself to Middlesbrough". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
  9. ^ Fraser, Paul (24 November 2009). "Bates heads to USA in latest fightback". The Northern Echo. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  10. ^ "Ipswich 1–1 Middlesbrough". Middlesbrough F.C. 6 February 2010. Archived from the original on 10 February 2010.
  11. ^ "Bolton Wanderers sign David Wheater from Middlesbrough". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 20 January 2011. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  12. ^ "Bolton 0–0 Wigan". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 29 January 2011. Retrieved 29 January 2011.
  13. ^ "Bolton Wanderers 0:2 Everton – Toffees make winning habit stick". 7M Sports. Press Association. 26 November 2011. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
  14. ^ Iles, Marc (7 May 2012). "Wanderers defender Wheater out for nine months". The Bolton News. Retrieved 8 May 2012.
  15. ^ "Report: Wanderers 4–1 Hull City". Bolton Wanderers F.C. 23 February 2013. Archived from the original on 23 June 2016.
  16. ^ Houlker, Daniel (21 July 2013). "Wheater pens extension". Bolton Wanderers F.C. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  17. ^ "Bolton Wanderers confirm player departures". Bolton Wanderers F.C. 13 May 2016. Retrieved 13 May 2016.
  18. ^ Glendinning, Mike (3 August 2016). "Wheater rejoins Wanderers on one-year deal". The Bolton News. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  19. ^ "End of Season Awards Dinner – The Winners". Bolton Wanderers F.C. 30 April 2017. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  20. ^ "EFL teams of the season announced for the Sky Bet Championship, League One and League Two". Sky Sports. 20 March 2017. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  21. ^ "David Wheater named PFA Fans' Sky Bet League One Player of the Season". Bolton Wanderers F.C. 25 May 2017. Retrieved 25 May 2017.
  22. ^ "Wheater agrees new contract". Bolton Wanderers F.C. 1 June 2017. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
  23. ^ "Bolton Wanderers 3–2 Nottingham Forest". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 6 May 2018. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  24. ^ "Bolton Wanderers: Darren Pratley released as David Wheater has contract extended". BBC Sport. 7 June 2018.
  25. ^ Iles, Marc (18 June 2019). "Skipper's role proved a tough gig for Wheater at Wanderers". The Bolton News. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  26. ^ Iles, Marc (7 August 2019). "Wheater: It was sad to say goodbye to Bolton, it's been a blast!". The Bolton News. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  27. ^ "Oldham 2020 Wages | Player & Team totals". salarysport.com. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  28. ^ "Latics Sign Experienced Defender". Oldham Athletic A.F.C. 1 August 2019. Retrieved 1 August 2019.
  29. ^ "Forest Green Rovers 1–0 Oldham Athletic". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 3 August 2019. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  30. ^ "Cambridge United 1–2 Oldham Athletic". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 24 August 2019. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  31. ^ "David Wheater Becomes Club Captain". Oldham Athletic A.F.C. 27 August 2019. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  32. ^ Iles, Marc (23 January 2020). "Wheater reveals details on Wanderers' transfer approach to Oldham". The Bolton News. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  33. ^ "Wheater & Woods not part of Latics plans". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 21 September 2020. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  34. ^ Iles, Marc (21 September 2020). "Ex-Wanderers skipper David Wheater told to 'train with the kids' at Oldham". The Bolton News. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  35. ^ "Oldham release defender Wheater". BBC Sport. 12 March 2021. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
  36. ^ Stoddart, Craig (25 February 2022). "Darlington bring in former Middlesbrough ace David Wheater". The Northern Echo. Darlington. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
  37. ^ "David Wheater signs a contract with Quakers". Darlington F.C. 5 April 2022. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
  38. ^ Simpson, Ray (12 May 2023). "Retained list update". Darlington F.C. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
  39. ^ Wilson, Scott (1 May 2023). "David Wheater considering retirement after season at Darlington". The Northern Echo. Darlington. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
  40. ^ a b BREAKING NEWS Think the time has finally come to Hang up the boots. Thankyou to @theboroofficial , @officialbwfc @darlingtonfootballclub and @england for having me I loved every minute of playing for you but I won't bore you with too many sentiments and tell you the truth instead. My body hurts, I pull my calves walking down the stairs, I nearly pull my thigh everytime I play footy with my 7 year old and I'm scared to get over jogging pace incase my hammy pops. I pick the kids toys up off the floor and my back goes, I have love handles and my belly is expanding, I would rather eat a fry up or a nice Chinese instead of going to training and a few pints takes 5 days to get over. It's been one a hell of a ride though, capped at every level playing for England and a couple of bench appearances for the senior team and as you know I've had a shower with @davidbeckham and @johnterry.26 follows me on Instagram so I'm very happy with my career. While you're here though follow @w2footballacademy for my next adventure. CHEERS
  41. ^ "Under-21 call-up for Wheater". The Journal. 17 August 2007.
  42. ^ "Pearce ponders defensive problems". UEFA. 16 June 2009. Archived from the original on 19 June 2009.
  43. ^ "Beckham recalled to England squad". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 20 March 2008. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
  44. ^ Ex-Bolton Wanderers star David Wheater on kids coaching gig
  45. ^ "Games played by David Wheater in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
  46. ^ a b "Games played by David Wheater in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
  47. ^ a b c "Games played by David Wheater in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
  48. ^ "Games played by David Wheater in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
  49. ^ "Games played by David Wheater in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
  50. ^ "Games played by David Wheater in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
  51. ^ a b "Games played by David Wheater in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
  52. ^ "Games played by David Wheater in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
  53. ^ "Games played by David Wheater in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
  54. ^ "Games played by David Wheater in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
  55. ^ "Games played by David Wheater in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
  56. ^ "Games played by David Wheater in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
  57. ^ "Games played by David Wheater in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
  58. ^ "Games played by David Wheater in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
  59. ^ "Games played by David Wheater in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
  60. ^ "Games played by David Wheater in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
  61. ^ "Games played by David Wheater in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
  62. ^ a b "D. Wheater". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
  63. ^ For FA Cup: "Becky's hat trick puts Quakers into the next round". Darlington F.C. 17 September 2022. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
    Simpson, Ray (1 October 2022). "Quakers beaten by second half goal at Hyde". Darlington F.C. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
  64. ^ "David Wheater wins PFA Fans' League One Player of the Season award". Sky Sports. 24 May 2017. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  65. ^ "PFA teams of the year: Chelsea and Tottenham dominate Premier League XI". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 20 April 2017. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
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