Background
Whitley was born in Seacombe and played amateur football with Liscard Young Men’s Christian Association before joining Football League side Darwen in 1899.
Whitley was born in Seacombe and played amateur football with Liscard Young Men’s Christian Association before joining Football League side Darwen in 1899.
He played 14 times for Darwen in the Second Division as they lost their Football League status and so he joined Aston Villa for £50. He managed eleven appearances for Villa before signing for Everton where he played second fiddle to George Kitchen. He joined Stoke in 1904 and played in 34 matches during the 1904-1905 season before losing his place to Leigh Richmond Roose.
He then moved on to Leeds City and Lincoln City before finally finding regular football with Chelsea.