Paul Wheatcroft
Birth date22 November 1980 (age 45)
Birth placeManchester, England
PositionForward
Youthyears 1?–1999
Youthclubs 1Manchester United
Years 11999–2000
Years 21999–2000
Years 32000–2002
Years 42001
Years 52002
Years 62002–2003
Years 72003
Years 82003
Years 92003–2004
Years 102004
Years 112004
Clubs 1Manchester United
Clubs 2FC Fortune (loan)
Clubs 3Bolton Wanderers
Clubs 4Rochdale (loan)
Clubs 5Mansfield Town (loan)
Clubs 6Scunthorpe United
Clubs 7Southport
Clubs 8Oldham Athletic
Clubs 9Stalybridge Celtic
Clubs 10Radcliffe Borough
Clubs 11Rossendale United (loan)
Caps 10
Caps 33
Caps 46
Caps 52
Caps 64
Caps 77
Caps 80
Caps 104
Goals 10
Goals 30
Goals 43
Goals 50
Goals 60
Goals 71
Goals 80
Goals 100

Paul Wheatcroft (born 22 November 1980) is an English former footballer who played as a forward. He started his career as a youth at Manchester United before joining Bolton Wanderers in 2000, being loaned out to Rochdale and Mansfield Town. In 2002, he then joined Scunthorpe United before dropping into non-League football with Southport, Stalybridge Celtic and Radcliffe Borough, where he was loaned to with Rossendale United.

Career

Wheatcroft started his career as a trainee at Manchester United, having attended The FA's National School of Excellence in Lilleshall.[1] After a loan spell at South African club FC Fortune, Wheatcroft was released from Manchester United and subsequently signed for Bolton Wanderers. Whilst at Bolton, he had loan spells with Rochdale and Mansfield Town.[1]

He went on to join Scunthorpe United in the summer of 2002,[2] before being released and joining Conference National club Southport in January 2003.[3] Southport manager Phil Wilson stated that; "Paul has a good pedigree, having played for Manchester United and Bolton and we are hoping he can kick-start his career."[4]

Wheatcroft then had a spell at Oldham Athletic, having been offered non-contract terms, but was released due to the club's poor financial situation.[5] He went on to join Stalybridge Celtic in September 2003.[5]

In January 2004, Wheatcroft then joined Northern Premier League Premier Division club Radcliffe Borough alongside defender, Terry Bowker.[6] On signing for Radcliffe, his manager Kevin Glendon said; "Paul has an excellent pedigree and at still only 23 has crammed a lot of football experience into such a short space of time."[6] In March 2004, he was loaned out to Northern Premier League First Division club Rossendale United.[7]

References

  1. ^ "Wheatcroft tells of Reds heartache". Manchester Evening News. 4 December 2001. Retrieved 27 October 2011.
  2. ^ "Wheatcroft released". Bolton Wanderers F.C. 17 November 2007. Retrieved 27 October 2011.
  3. ^ "Southport win the race for Wheatcroft". Non-League Daily. 9 January 2003. Archived from the original on 30 January 2013. Retrieved 27 October 2011.
  4. ^ "Port to hand Wheatcroft his debut". Non-League Daily. 17 January 2003. Archived from the original on 30 January 2013. Retrieved 27 October 2011.
  5. ^ "Two new Celts". Non-League Daily. 20 September 2003. Archived from the original on 30 January 2013. Retrieved 27 October 2011.
  6. ^ "Glendon's off shopping again". Non-League Daily. 20 January 2004. Archived from the original on 8 February 2013. Retrieved 27 October 2011.
  7. ^ "Neighbourly gesture by Boro". Non-League Daily. 5 March 2004. Archived from the original on 30 January 2013. Retrieved 27 October 2011.