While it’s often hard to gauge genuine value for money in the transfer market, with inflated prices often paid for players in this heavy-spending era, there remains many instances where money is or was very wisely invested. One such occasion from yesteryear was Coventry City’s £2 million acquisition of forward Noel Whelan from Leeds United midway through the 1995/96 Premier League season.
The former England Under-21 international played for many notable clubs throughout his career, turning out for the likes of Middlesbrough, Crystal Palace, Derby County and Aberdeen over a career that spanned 17 years.
Though it was with Coventry, then playing at former ground Highfield Road, that Whelan made a lasting impression. Signed in late 1995 by then City boss Ron Atkinson, the attacker played an important role in some of the clubs’ more recent halcyon days.
Joining the likes of goalkeeper Steve Ogrizovic, winger Peter Ndlovu and strikers Dion Dublin and Darren Huckerby, Whelan quickly integrated into a group that consistently punched above their weight, their aforementioned previous stadium regularly proving a difficult place to go for English football’s elite.
Whelan proved a bargain for the Sky Blues
Spending four-and-a-half seasons in the Midlands, Whelan proved an absolute snip at the £2m paid by Atkinson in the early days of the Premier League’s formation.
| Noel Whelan’s career statistics, as per Transfermarkt | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Season(s) | Club | Appearances | Goals |
| 1992 – 1995 | Leeds United | 54 | 7 |
| 1995 – 2000 | Coventry City (permanent) | 146 | 36 |
| 2000 – 2003 | Middlesbrough (permanent) | 71 | 9 |
| 2002/03 | Crystal Palace (loan) | 8 | 3 |
| 2003/04 | Millwall (permanent) | 16 | 3 |
| 2003/04 | Derby County (permanent) | 8 | 0 |
| 2004/05 | Aberdeen (permanent) | 21 | 5 |
| 2005/06 | Boston United (permanent) | 16 | 4 |
| 2005/06 | Livingston (permanent) | 8 | 1 |
| 2006/07 | Dunfermline Athletic (permanent) | 1 | 0 |
| 2008/09 | Harrogate Town (permanent) | 0 | 0 |
| 2009/10 | Darlington (permanent) | 3 | 0 |
The forward, who was quick, powerful, instinctive and good with both feet, amassed 146 appearances in total for Coventry, scoring 36 goals, before leaving for Middlesbrough in the summer of 2000.
Always an aerial threat, the striker thrived on crosses, but also possessed the intelligence to drop into deeper areas to create chances for himself or others.
Often happy to be the foil for the likes of Dublin (pictured above), Huckerby and other strikers, Whelan was a genuine all-round footballer, with a natural ability that could have taken him even further in the game, both domestically and internationally, under different circumstances, and with a bit more luck with persistent fitness issues
Forward struggled with injuries throughout his career
Whelan, now 49, retired from the game completely in 2009 after injury curtailed his spell at then League Two Darlington.
Unfortunately, despite his obvious talent, the forward was prone to injuries throughout his career, even at Leeds and Coventry, and while he left a lasting impression at both clubs, and Middlesbrough, to some degree, there’s always been that sense of ‘what if’ when looking back at Whelan’s time in the game.
The attacker had everything required to be a top figure in the game for a generation, if his body had stood up better to the rigours of the game.
It was a distinct possibility that, given a more plain-sailing career health-wise, Whelan would have been in with a shout of adding senior England caps to his Under-21 honours. He really had the lot, in terms of footballing ability and understanding.
Once he departed Coventry for Boro, Whelan’s career began to wind down far too soon. Sporadic spells with the likes of Millwall, Derby, Aberdeen and Livingston followed, before his farewell appearance(s) with the Quakers.
However, while his career overall was a case of ‘what might have been’ in many ways, his time with Coventry is fondly remembered by City supporters, and the relatively small fee paid to Leeds United for his services was – and still is – regarded as a fantastic piece of business.
