Danny Whitaker – Wikipedia

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English footballer (born 1980)

Daniel Phillip Whitaker (born 14 November 1980) is an English former professional football player and manager who was recently the player-manager of Northern Premier League Division One West club Macclesfield.

A former Manchester United Academy player, Whitaker turned professional with Macclesfield Town in 2001. He spent five years with the club, and made over 200 appearances in all competitions, before he switched to Port Vale in June 2006. He played over 100 games for the Vale in two seasons, before he signed for Oldham Athletic in June 2008. Again a first team regular, he left after two seasons to join Chesterfield in May 2010. He helped the club to the League Two title in 2010–11, and also won himself a place on the division’s PFA Team of the Year. He also helped the club to the League Trophy title in 2012. He returned to Macclesfield Town in August 2013, and played in the club’s defeat at the 2017 FA Trophy Final, before helping the club to win promotion back to the English Football League as champions of the National League. He was appointed as the club’s caretaker-manager in November 2018, before announcing his retirement in July 2019. He again stepped up to become caretaker-manager at Macclesfield in August 2019 and January 2020, before he was appointed as the first manager, in October 2020.

Whitaker led phoenix club Macclesfield to the North West Counties Premier Division title at the end of the 2021–22 season, before losing his job in October 2022.

Playing career[edit]

Macclesfield Town[edit]

Whitaker was a Manchester United junior,[4] and spent time at both Bradford City and local side Wilmslow Albion before signing with Macclesfield Town.[5] He scored on his Football League debut; during a 2–1 home defeat to Exeter City on 2 February 2002.[5] He went on to make another 15 Third Division appearances that season, earning a fresh contract upon the season’s end.[6]

A regular in the 2002–03 season, he scored a hat-trick in the League Cup 4–1 triumph over Barnsley on 11 September.[5] In most unusual fashion all three goals came in the second period of extra time. With ten goals before the winter break he was linked to both Oldham Athletic and Preston North End. However manager David Moss was highly dismissive of such speculation, saying: “Quite frankly, I am sick and tired of reading about players who have just signed two-year contracts but want to get away. Danny Whitaker will be going nowhere except Macclesfield reserves if he doesn’t improve.”[7] The club insisted that Whitaker was too valuable a player to let go.[8] This transfer talk came despite him having recently signed a contract to keep him with the “Silkmen” until June 2005.[9]

Rated as a star player before the start of the 2003–04 season,[10] he had a rather quiet season with just six goals, going 22 games without a goal from November to the season’s finish. He scored just four goals in the 2004–05 season, though manager Brian Horton was still keen to hold on to him, despite nine others being deemed unworthy of a new deal.[11] Six goals in 45 appearances followed in 2005–06. However, despite having been established in the heart of the Macclesfield midfield for the past four years and winning the club’s player of the year award, he was released at the end of the season.[12]

Port Vale[edit]

Now a free agent, Whitaker moved up to League One with Port Vale in June 2006.[13] He played 51 games in his first season at Vale Park. At the end of the 2007–08 season, where Whitaker again played 40+ games, he was offered a new contract along with three other Port Vale players. But in May he rejected the contract and was told he could look for another club.[14] However, Lee Sinnott told Whitaker that he would get back to him with a better offer if chairman Bill Bratt could raise some more money, the wage bill having been cut due to relegation. In June, he was offered an improved deal.[15] Whilst mulling over the offer he was given a deadline.[16][17] On 20 June 2008, he turned down the chance to stay at Vale, and instead opted to join Oldham Athletic, still in League One.[18]

Oldham Athletic[edit]

Whitaker scored eight goals in 42 appearances for the “Latics” during the 2008–09 season. He was released at the end of the 2009–10 season, despite missing only a handful of games during his spell at the club.

Chesterfield[edit]

Whitaker was signed by Chesterfield in May 2010, linking up with his old boss John Sheridan.[19] He started the 2010–11 campaign with three goals in as many league games, having bagged a hat-trick against Hereford United. Playing in every one of the club’s league games, scoring fifteen goals in the process, Chesterfield won promotion as champions of League Two. He was also named in the PFA Team of the Year, along with teammates Craig Davies and Tommy Lee. The following season, 2011–12, the “Spireites” struggled at the bottom of League One, and Whittaker lost his first team place in the new year. He was an unused substitute as Chesterfield beat Swindon Town in the final of the League Trophy at Wembley Stadium.[20] He was offered a new one-year contract by the club in May 2012.[21] He made 34 appearances in the 2012–13 campaign, and was not offered a new contract by manager Paul Cook.[22]

Return to Macclesfield[edit]

Whitaker re-signed with Conference Premier club Macclesfield Town in August 2013.[23] He made 49 appearances for John Askey’s “Silkmen” across the 2013–14 campaign. He agreed to a new one-year deal in July 2014.[24] He scored six goals in 30 games in the 2014–15 season. He scored eight goals in 50 appearances in the 2015–16 campaign as Macclesfield finished in tenth position and signed a new one-year contract in July 2016.[25] He made 55 appearances across the 2016–17 campaign, including in the 2017 FA Trophy Final at Wembley Stadium, where Macclesfield were beaten 3–2 by York City.[26] He scored eight goals in 45 appearances in 2017–18 as Macclesfield won promotion back to the Football League as champions of the National League.[27]

On 8 October 2018, Whitaker and Neil Howarth were appointed as Macclesfield Town’s joint-caretaker-managers following the dismissal of Mark Yates.[28] They remained in charge until Sol Campbell was appointed as manager on 27 November.[29] He scored three goals in 26 games as Macclesfield secured their safety at the end of the 2018–19 season.[30] He announced his retirement in July 2019.[31] He again was appointed as Macclesfield Town’s caretaker-manager following the resignation of Sol Campbell on 15 August 2019.[32] He won his one game in charge, before returning to his coaching duties once Daryl McMahon was appointed as manager four days later.[33][34] McMahon resigned on 3 January 2020, leaving Whitaker to once again step in as caretaker-manager.[35] He remained in the role for 13 days until the appointment of Mark Kennedy.[36] He stayed on in the role of assistant manager under first Kennedy and then Tim Flowers.[5] He came out of retirement to sign a one-year playing contract with Macclesfield on 15 September 2020,[5][37] but the club was liquidated a day later.[38]

Managerial career[edit]

Whitaker was appointed as the first ever manager of Macclesfield Town’s phoenix club, Macclesfield F.C., on 13 October 2020.[39] He was also registered as a player, and played himself in the first competitive match for the new club on 31 July 2021, in a 1–0 win at home to Burscough in the North West Counties League Premier Division.[40] Following the early suspension of the 2020–21 season, the 2021–22 season saw Macclesfield win the title having finished on 94 points, fifteen clear of second placed Skelmersdale United, the title having been secured on 12 March after a 4–0 victory over Ashton Athletic.[41] Whittaker was sacked by the club on 29 October 2022, following a sequence of three defeats in five home games and the club’s elimination from the FA Cup and FA Trophy.[42]

Career statistics[edit]

Managerial statistics[edit]

As of match played 29 October 2022
Managerial record by team and tenure
Team From To Record Ref.
P W D L Win %
Macclesfield Town (caretaker) 8 October 2018 27 November 2018 11 4 0 7 036.4 [60]
Macclesfield Town (caretaker) 15 August 2019 19 August 2019 1 1 0 0 100.0 [60]
Macclesfield Town (caretaker) 3 January 2020 16 January 2020 2 1 1 0 050.0 [60]
Macclesfield 13 October 2020 29 October 2022 68 48 7 13 070.6 [61]
Total 82 54 8 20 065.9

Honours[edit]

As a player[edit]

Chesterfield

Macclesfield Town

Individual

As a manager[edit]

Macclesfield

References[edit]

  1. ^ “Danny Whitaker”. Barry Hugman’s Footballers. Retrieved 9 March 2017.
  2. ^ Rollin, Glenda; Rollin, Jack, eds. (2012). Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2012–2013 (43rd ed.). London: Headline. p. 456. ISBN 978-0-7553-6356-8.
  3. ^ “FootballSquads – Port Vale – 2006/07”. www.footballsquads.co.uk. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
  4. ^ “Port Vale 3–2 Manchester United”. BBC Sport. 26 July 2007. Retrieved 16 July 2009.
  5. ^ a b c d e “Danny Whitaker: Our Magic Man Returns”. www.mtfc.co.uk. 15 September 2020. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  6. ^ “Silkmen hand trio contracts”. BBC Sport. 12 March 2002. Retrieved 16 July 2009.
  7. ^ “Moss warns Whitaker”. BBC Sport. 22 January 2003. Retrieved 16 July 2009.
  8. ^ “Silkmen say Whitaker stays”. BBC Sport. 4 February 2003. Retrieved 16 July 2009.
  9. ^ Oliver, Pete (13 January 2003). “Moss builds for the future”. BBC Sport Online. Retrieved 16 July 2009.
  10. ^ “Macclesfield season preview”. BBC Sport. 5 August 2003. Retrieved 16 July 2009.
  11. ^ “Nine released by Macc boss Horton”. BBC Sport. 26 May 2005. Retrieved 16 July 2009.
  12. ^ “Macclesfield release five players”. BBC Sport. 9 May 2006. Retrieved 16 July 2009.
  13. ^ “Vale snap up Miles and Whitaker”. BBC Sport. 28 June 2006. Retrieved 16 July 2009.
  14. ^ “Whitaker rejects Vale contract”. BBC Sport. 7 May 2008. Retrieved 16 July 2009.
  15. ^ “Whitaker offered improved deal”. BBC Sport. 6 June 2008. Retrieved 16 July 2009.
  16. ^ “Whitaker faces contract deadline”. BBC Sport. 17 June 2008. Retrieved 16 July 2009.
  17. ^ “Whitaker faces deadline on future”. BBC Sport. 11 June 2008. Retrieved 16 July 2009.
  18. ^ “Whitaker chooses Latics over Vale”. BBC Sport. 20 June 2008. Retrieved 20 June 2008.
  19. ^ “Midfielder Danny Whittaker agrees to join Chesterfield”. BBC Sport. 27 May 2010. Retrieved 28 May 2010.
  20. ^ Chapman, Caroline (25 March 2012). “Chesterfield enjoyed Wembley glory for the first time as they beat Swindon to lift the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy”. BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 June 2012.
  21. ^ “Spireites issue retained list”. Chesterfield FC. 9 May 2012. Archived from the original on 18 July 2012. Retrieved 9 May 2012.
  22. ^ “Chesterfield release seven players as Tommy Wright leaves”. BBC Sport. 29 April 2013. Retrieved 1 May 2013.
  23. ^ “Macclesfield sign Danny Whitaker, Danny Rowe & Scott Kay”. BBC Sport. 8 August 2013. Retrieved 8 August 2013.
  24. ^ “Macclesfield Town keep Chris Holroyd and Danny Whitaker”. BBC Sport. 9 July 2014. Retrieved 9 May 2015.
  25. ^ “Danny Whitaker: Macclesfield Town midfielder agrees new contract”. BBC Sport. 8 July 2016. Retrieved 10 July 2016.
  26. ^ a b “FA Trophy final – Macclesfield Town v York City”. BBC Sport. 18 May 2017. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  27. ^ a b Brewin, John (21 April 2018). “Wigan and Luton promoted as Macclesfield return to Football League”. The Guardian. Retrieved 30 April 2018.
  28. ^ Keay, Sheldan (19 October 2018). “New favourites installed to become Macclesfield Town manager”. Chester Chronicle. Retrieved 13 November 2018.
  29. ^ “Sol Campbell: Macclesfield Town name ex-England defender as manager”. BBC Sport. 27 November 2018. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
  30. ^ “Macclesfield Town 1-1 Cambridge United: Sol Campbell’s Silkmen secure survival with draw”. BBC Sport. 4 May 2019. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
  31. ^ “An Open Letter From Danny Whitaker”. www.mtfc.co.uk. 9 July 2019. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
  32. ^ “Sol Campbell leaves Macclesfield by mutual consent”. Sky Sports. 15 August 2019. Retrieved 16 August 2019.
  33. ^ Association, Press (17 August 2019). “Danny Whitaker delighted with Macclesfield’s last-gasp win”. Evening Express. Retrieved 19 August 2019.
  34. ^ “Daryl McMahon: Macclesfield Town appoint successor to Sol Campbell”. BBC Sport. 19 August 2019. Retrieved 19 August 2019.
  35. ^ Association, Press (4 January 2020). “Arthur Gnahoua hands managerless Macclesfield victory over Cambridge”. Evening Express. Retrieved 4 January 2020.
  36. ^ “Mark Kennedy: Macclesfield Town name ex-Republic of Ireland winger as head coach”. BBC Sport. 16 January 2020. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
  37. ^ “Macc legend Whitaker reverses retirement decision | Non League Daily”.
  38. ^ “Macclesfield Town FC wound up in court”. BBC Sport. 16 September 2020. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  39. ^ “Smethurst takes over rebranded Silkmen”. BBC Sport. 13 October 2020. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  40. ^ “NWCFL | Macclesfield v Burscough Lineup”. www.nwcfl.com.
  41. ^ a b “MATCH REPORT: MACCLESFIELD 4–0 ASHTON UNITED”. macclesfieldfc.com. 14 March 2022. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
  42. ^ “Club Statement:Danny Whittaker”. macclesfieldfc.com. 29 October 2022. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
  43. ^ “Games played by Danny Whitaker in 2001/2002”. Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  44. ^ “Games played by Danny Whitaker in 2002/2003”. Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  45. ^ “Games played by Danny Whitaker in 2003/2004”. Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  46. ^ “Games played by Danny Whitaker in 2004/2005”. Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  47. ^ “Games played by Danny Whitaker in 2005/2006”. Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  48. ^ “Games played by Danny Whitaker in 2006/2007”. Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  49. ^ “Games played by Danny Whitaker in 2007/2008”. Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  50. ^ “Games played by Danny Whitaker in 2008/2009”. Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  51. ^ “Games played by Danny Whitaker in 2009/2010”. Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  52. ^ “Games played by Danny Whitaker in 2010/2011”. Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  53. ^ “Games played by Danny Whitaker in 2011/2012”. Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  54. ^ “Games played by Danny Whitaker in 2012/2013”. Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  55. ^ “Games played by Danny Whitaker in 2013/2014”. Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  56. ^ a b c d e f g Danny Whitaker at Soccerway
  57. ^ “Games played by Danny Whitaker in 2014/2015”. Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  58. ^ “Games played by Danny Whitaker in 2018/2019”. Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  59. ^ “NWCFL | Danny Whitaker”. www.nwcfl.com. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
  60. ^ a b c Danny Whitaker management career statistics at Soccerbase
  61. ^ Manager Profiles macclesfieldfcarchives.co.uk