Background
Whitlock was born in Portsmouth and played youth football with Sarisbury Sparks.
Whitlock was born in Portsmouth and played youth football with Sarisbury Sparks.
Primarily a centre back, Whitlock played initially for Hampshire-based club Southampton, before moving to local rivals in 1986, Reading in 1988, and Aldershot in 1990. He began his career as a youth player with Southampton, starting as an associate schoolboy in October 1975 before becoming an apprentice in August 1977 and signing professional terms in March 1979, having already played regularly in the reserve-team since December 1977. After spending spells on loan at Grimsby Town and Aldershot in the 1982-1983 season, he became a semi-regular starting player in the 1983-1984 season, and made a total of 61 appearances in all competitions before leaving the club in July 1986.
Described as a "quiet, effective central defender", he initially vied with Ken Armstong to be centre-back, before the emergence of Mark Wright and the signing of Kevin Bond in September 1984 led to him being deployed in various midfield roles.
Along with Saints" teammate David Puckett, Whitlock was transferred to local side A.F.C. in July 1986 as part of a deal which saw Northern Irish striker Colin Clarke moving to The Dell. Whitlock remained with for the following season, when the team finished 17th in the Second Division, but left less than halfway through the 1988-1989 campaign to move back down a division with Reading.
The defender stayed with Reading until the end of the 1989-1990 season, at which point he moved to Fourth Division side Aldershot until the club was dissolved in 1992. On retiring from League football, Whitlock found employment as a security guard, and turned out occasionally for the Aerostructures works team at Hamble.