A man with considerable Football League experience, Chris Whelpdale was first among a number of new additions to the Stevenage squad in 2014. At that time, Boro’ had dropped out of League One and Graham Westley was plotting the team’s return. It was little shock, therefore, he turned to a player with the skills and expertise to aid that cause.
In the end though, it wasn’t to be; Boro’ falling just short of promotion. After the departure of Graham Westley, in came Teddy Sheringham and then Darren Sarll. At the end of the 2015-6 season, however, Whelpdale left the Lamex for AFC Wimbledon and a personal return to League One. Few could argue, not least because of his contributions (notably in scoring), that he didn’t earn the chance.
Whelps’ stay at the Dons was a brief one, however. After one solitary campaign in south London, he left. That was music to Sarll’s ears, snapping up the talented midfielder on a one-year deal and adding his name to the long list of multi-spell men (Seriously, there should be a t-shirt. Ed.).
Chris Whelpdale: Before Boro’
His time at Peterborough United and Gillingham being worth more than 200 games meant no shortage of know-how when he came to us. After learning his trade in Essex non-league circles with Maldon Town and Billericay Town, Whelpdale got his first break at Posh in 2007; staying at London Road for four years.
During that time, he won three promotions; first from League Two into League One and then twice from League One into the Championship. After a brief loan spell at Gillingham in 2010, the player made the permanent switch to Kent in July 2011 and was to win yet another promotion as the Gills stormed to the League Two title.
