{{Short description|English footballer (born 1987)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2016}} {{Use British English|date=May 2016}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Chris Whelpdale | image = | fullname = Christopher Mark Whelpdale | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1987|1|27|df=y}} | birth_place = Harold Wood, England<ref>{{cite book|editor1-first=Glenda|editor1-last=Rollin|editor2-first=Jack|editor2-last=Rollin|title=Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2012–2013|year=2012|publisher=Headline|location=London|isbn=978-0-7553-6356-8|page=473|edition=43rd}}</ref> | height = {{height|ft=6|in=1}} | position = Midfielder | currentclub = Burgess Hill Town | clubnumber = | youthyears1 = | youthclubs1 = Norwich City | youthyears2 = | youthclubs2 = Arsenal | youthyears3 = | youthclubs3 = Ipswich Town | years1 = 2004–2006 | clubs1 = Maldon Town | caps1 = | goals1 = | years2 = 2006–2007 | clubs2 = Billericay Town | caps2 = 37 | goals2 = 14 | years3 = 2007–2011 | clubs3 = Peterborough United | caps3 = 124 | goals3 = 12 | years4 = 2010 | clubs4 = → Gillingham (loan) | caps4 = 4 | goals4 = 3 | years5 = 2011–2014 | clubs5 = Gillingham | caps5 = 104 | goals5 = 20 | years6 = 2014–2016 | clubs6 = Stevenage | caps6 = 60 | goals6 = 15 | years7 = 2016–2017 | clubs7 = AFC Wimbledon | caps7 = 17 | goals7 = 1 | years8 = 2017–2018 | clubs8 = Stevenage | caps8 = 27 | goals8 = 1 | years9 = 2018–2020 | clubs9 = Chelmsford City | caps9 = 66 | goals9 = 17 | years10 = 2020–2023 | clubs10 = Eastbourne Borough | caps10 = 62 | goals10 = 18 | years11 = 2023–2024 | clubs11 = Lewes | caps11 = 40 | goals11 = 12 | years12 = 2024 | clubs12 = Whitehawk | caps12 = 8 | goals12 = 1 | years13 = 2024– | clubs13 = Burgess Hill Town | caps13 = 1 | goals13 = 0 | club-update = 09:42, 20 October 2024 (UTC) }} '''Christopher Mark Whelpdale''' (born 27 January 1987) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for {{English football updater|BurgesHT}} club Burgess Hill Town.
==Career== After playing local football in Brentwood, Whelpdale was recruited by Norwich City's youth academy. Whelpdale later moved to Arsenal and Ipswich Town before being released.<ref>{{cite web|title=Dons story inspires Chris|url=https://www.afcwimbledon.co.uk/news/2016/november/dons-story-inspires-chris/|publisher=A.F.C. Wimbledon|accessdate=10 August 2018|date=29 November 2016}}</ref>
Whelpdale began his senior career at Maldon Town, after not being offered a scholarship by Ipswich, before moving shortly to Billericay Town.
=== Peterborough United === In 2007 Whelpdale signed for League Two side Peterborough United, rejecting League One side Southend United, who had just been relegated from the Football League Championship.
=== Gillingham === He joined Gillingham on loan in the 2010–11 season and scored three goals in four games for the League Two team. He joined Gillingham on a permanent basis in July 2011.<ref>[http://www.gillinghamfootballclub.com/page/PressReleases/0,,10416~2385140,00.html Gillingham F.C.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120905184005/http://www.gillinghamfootballclub.com/page/PressReleases/0%2C%2C10416~2385140%2C00.html |date=5 September 2012 }}</ref> Whelpdale was part of the Gillingham side that won the 2012–13 League Two title.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2013-04-20|title=Gillingham 2-2 AFC Wimbledon|language=en-gb|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22133526|access-date=2020-07-04}}</ref>
=== Stevenage === He rejected a new deal from Gillingham and signed for League Two side Stevenage on 30 June 2014.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/28094573|title=Stevenage sign Ronnie Henry, Chris Whelpdale & Simon Walton|work=BBC Sport |accessdate=2016-07-02}}</ref>
=== AFC Wimbledon === On 28 June 2016 Whelpdale signed for League One side AFC Wimbledon.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.afcwimbledon.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/neal-lands-key-target-3159480.aspx|title=Neal lands key target|last=Slavin|first=Chris|accessdate=2016-07-02}}</ref> He scored his first goal for Wimbledon in a 3–2 EFL Cup loss against Peterborough United on 9 August 2016.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36949675 |title=Peterborough 3–2 AFC Wimbledon |publisher=BBC Sport |date=9 August 2016 |accessdate=9 August 2016}}</ref>
=== Stevenage === On 28 July 2017, Whelpdale re-signed for Stevenage.<ref>{{cite web|title=Chris Whelpdale: Stevenage re-sign former AFC Wimbledon winger|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40755080|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=10 August 2018|date=28 July 2017}}</ref> Whelpdale made 27 League Two appearances, starting 19 times, scoring once, before departing the club.<ref>{{soccerway|jack-bridge/323202|accessdate=10 September 2018}}</ref>
=== Chelmsford City === On 10 August 2018, Whelpdale signed for Chelmsford City.<ref>{{cite web|title=City sign former Peterborough United midfielder|url=http://www.chelmsfordcityfc.com/news/city-sign-former-peterborough-united-midfielder-2333417.html|publisher=Chelmsford City F.C.|accessdate=10 August 2018|date=10 August 2018}}</ref> On 27 August 2018, Whelpdale scored his first goal for the club in a 5–3 away win against Hemel Hempstead Town.<ref>{{cite web|title=Hemel Hempstead Town vs. Chelmsford City 3–5|url=https://uk.soccerway.com/matches/2018/08/27/england/conference-n--s/hemel-hempstead-town-fc/chelmsford-city-fc/2816979/|publisher=Soccerway|accessdate=29 August 2018}}</ref> On 30 January 2020, Whelpdale was confirmed as assistant to interim manager Robbie Simpson alongside Michael Spillane following the sacking of Rod Stringer.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.chelmsfordcityfc.com/news/first-team-update-2507929.html |title=First Team Update |date=30 January 2020 |publisher=Chelmsford City F.C. |access-date=30 January 2020}}</ref>
=== Eastbourne Borough === On 29 July 2020, Whelpdale left Chelmsford to join fellow National League South club Eastbourne Borough.<ref>{{Cite web |url= https://www.chelmsfordcityfc.com/news/whelpdale-departs-2553879.html |title=Whelpdale Departs |date=29 July 2020 |publisher=Chelmsford City F.C. |access-date=29 July 2020}}</ref>
=== Lewes === On 19 July 2023, Whelpdale signed for Isthmian League Premier Division club Lewes.<ref>{{Cite web |url= https://lewesfc.com/news/chris-whelpdale-signs/ |title=Chris Whelpdale Signs |date=19 July 2023 |publisher=Lewes F.C. |access-date=19 July 2023}}</ref> He scored on his league debut against Cray Wanderers on 12 August.
===Whitehawk=== On 17 June 2024, Whelpdale joined fellow Isthmian Premier Division side Whitehawk.<ref>{{cite tweet|number=1802771486404415717|title=We are thrilled to announce the arrival of experienced midfielder, Chris Whelpdale! ✍️ #COYH ❤️|user=HawksFCOfficial|author-link=Whitehawk F.C.|date=17 June 2024|accessdate=20 June 2024}}</ref>
===Burgess Hill Town=== On 19 October 2024, Whelpdale joined Isthmian League South East Division club Burgess Hill Town.<ref>{{cite tweet|number=1847593601661899111|title=We are delighted to announce the signing of former Peterborough and Gillingham midfielder, Chris Whelpdale. Chris joins us from Whitehawk, having spent 23/24 at Lewes, where he scored 11 goals in the Isthmian Premier. Chris is available for selection this afternoon. 💚🖤 #COYH|user=Official_BHTFC|author-link=Burgess Hill Town F.C.|date=19 October 2024|accessdate=20 October 2024}}</ref>
== Career statistics == {{Updated|match played 15 October 2024}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center" |+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition ! rowspan="2" |Club ! rowspan="2" |Season ! colspan="3" |League ! colspan="2" |FA Cup ! colspan="2" |League Cup ! colspan="2" |Other ! colspan="2" |Total |- !Division !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals |- |rowspan="5"|Peterborough United |2007–08<ref name="Soccerway">{{Cite web |url=https://nr.soccerway.com/players/chris-whelpdale/51090/ |title=Soccerway |publisher=C. Whelpdale: Summary |access-date=20 January 2021}}</ref> |League Two |35||3||4||0||2||0||1{{efn|name=EFL|Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy}}||0||42||3 |- |2008–09<ref name="Soccerway"/> |League One |38||7||3||0||0||0||1{{efn|name=EFL}}||0||42||7 |- |2009–10<ref name="Soccerway"/> |Championship |29||1||1||0||2||1||0||0||32||2 |- |2010–11<ref name="Soccerway"/> |League One |22||1||1||0||1||0||2{{efn|Appearance(s) in League One play-offs}}||0||26||1 |- !colspan="2"|Total !124||12||9||0||5||1||4||0||142||13 |- |Gillingham (loan) |2010–11<ref name="Soccerway"/> |League Two |4||3||0||0||0||0||0||0||4||3 |- |rowspan="4"|Gillingham |2011–12<ref name="Soccerway"/> |League Two |39||12||3||0||1||0||1{{efn|name=EFL}}||0||44||12 |- |2012–13<ref name="Soccerway"/> |League Two |41||7||1||0||2||0||1{{efn|name=EFL}}||0||45||7 |- |2013–14<ref name="Soccerway"/> |League One |24||1||2||0||1||0||1{{efn|name=EFL}}||0||28||1 |- !colspan="2"|Total !104||20||6||0||4||0||3||0||117||20 |- |rowspan="3"|Stevenage |2014–15<ref name="Soccerway"/> |League Two |39||7||2||0||1||0||3{{efn|Two appearances in League Two play-offs and one in EFL Trophy}}||0||45||7 |- |2015–16<ref name="Soccerway"/> |League Two |21||8||2||1||0||0||1{{efn|name=EFL}}||0||24||9 |- !colspan="2"|Total !60||15||4||1||1||0||4||0||69||16 |- |AFC Wimbledon |2016–17<ref name="Soccerway"/> |League One |17||1||3||0||1||1||2{{efn|name=EFL}}||0||23||2 |- |Stevenage |2017–18<ref name="Soccerway"/> |League Two |27||1||2||0||1||0||2{{efn|name=EFL}}||0||32||1 |- |rowspan="3"|Chelmsford City |2018–19<ref name="Soccerway"/> |National League South |39||9||1||1||colspan="2" |—||4{{efn|Three appearances in Essex Senior Cup and one in National League South play-offs}}||0||44||10 |- |2019–20<ref name="Soccerway"/> |National League South |27||8||1||0||colspan="2" |—||5{{efn|Four appearances and one goal in FA Trophy, one appearance in Essex Senior Cup}}||1||33||9 |- !colspan="2"|Total !66||17||2||1||0||0||9||1||77||19 |- |rowspan="4"|Eastbourne Borough |2020–21<ref name="Soccerway"/> |National League South |13||11||4||4||colspan="2" |—||0||0||17||15 |- |2021–22<ref name="Soccerway"/> |National League South |29||4||3||0||colspan="2" |—||1{{efn|Appearance(s) in National League South play-offs}}||0||33||4 |- |2022–23<ref name="Soccerway"/> |National League South |20||3||1||1||colspan="2" |—||3{{efn|Two appearances in FA Trophy, one appearance in Sussex Senior Cup}}||1||24||5 |- !colspan="2"|Total !62||18||8||5||0||0||4||1||74||24 |- |Lewes |2023–24<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/lewes/appearances/2023-2024/chris-whelpdale/953399|title=Lewes – Appearances – Chris Whelpdale – 2023-2024|website=www.footballwebpages.co.uk|accessdate=20 June 2024}}</ref> |Isthmian League Premier Division |40||12||3||2||colspan="2"|—||2{{efn|name=FAT|Appearance(s) in FA Trophy}}||0||45||14 |- |Whitehawk |2024–25<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/whitehawk/appearances/2024-2025/chris-whelpdale/953399|title=Whitehawk – Appearances – Chris Whelpdale – 2024–2025|website=www.footballwebpages.co.uk|accessdate=20 October 2024}}</ref> |Isthmian League Premier Division |8||1||0||0||colspan="2"|—||1{{efn|name=FAT}}||0||9||1 |- !colspan="3" |Career total !518!!100!!37!!9!!12!!2!!31!!2!!592!!113 |} {{reflist|group="lower-alpha"}}
==Honours== '''Peterborough United''' *Football League One play-offs: 2011<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/13489373.stm |title=Huddersfield Town 0–3 Peterborough United |first=Emlyn |last=Begley |website=BBC Sport |date=29 May 2011 |access-date=26 November 2025}}</ref>
'''Individual''' *National League South Team of the Year: 2018–19<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thenationalleague.org.uk/national-league-south-team-of-the-season-confirmed-56856 |title=National League South Team Of The Season Confirmed |author=Sam Elliott |publisher=Vanarama National League |date=10 May 2019 |access-date=3 June 2023}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *{{Soccerbase}}
{{2018–19 National League South Team of the Year}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Whelpdale, Chris}} Category:1987 births Category:Living people Category:People from Harold Wood Category:Footballers from the London Borough of Havering Category:English men's footballers Category:Men's association football midfielders Category:Maldon & Tiptree F.C. players Category:Billericay Town F.C. players Category:Peterborough United F.C. players Category:Gillingham F.C. players Category:Stevenage F.C. players Category:AFC Wimbledon players Category:Chelmsford City F.C. players Category:Eastbourne Borough F.C. players Category:Lewes F.C. players Category:Whitehawk F.C. players Category:Burgess Hill Town F.C. players Category:English Football League players Category:National League (English football) players Category:Isthmian League players Category:Chelmsford City F.C. non-playing staff Category:21st-century English sportsmen