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Post by knowles on Jan 15, 2008 16:34:24 GMT
Remember Jeff? Did a cracking job in the middle of the park for us last season. It was a sad day for the history of the football club when he 'returned' to Cardiff, only to go missing for a month or so
In seriousness, hope he gets better soon, however crap he was!
Whitley seeks Wrexham redemption
Jeff Whitley has battled personal problems away from football
Jeff Whitley is aiming to restart his football career after training with former club Wrexham.
Personal problems have disrupted the career of the Northern Ireland midfielder, 28, who has undergone rehabilitation for alcohol abuse.
Whitley joined Wrexham last February from Cardiff, playing a key role in the relegation battle but then went missing before the final match of the season.
"If I get the opportunity to play for Wrexham again I will grab it," he said.
"The people here showed their faith in me, so I would be more than happy to come back and help out once again.
"I really enjoyed being back at Wrexham last season and was delighted that it eventually turned out well for the club.
"It's such a shame that after last year's heartache the club is once again in the relegation mire, but I'm sure that it can be turned around."
Whitley's family moved to Wrexham from Zambia when he was young and, along with brother Jim, he played in the Wrexham Youth League before being taken on as a trainee at Manchester City.
Loan spells with Wrexham and Notts County followed for the 20-cap man, before moves to Sunderland, Cardiff and then loans with Stoke and Wrexham for a second time.
But Whitley's whole career has been played out to the backdrop of his personal demons, which he hopes he has now tamed.
"It's only when you are not in the game that you realise just how much you miss it," he told the Wrexham website.
"I've been putting my life back on the straight and narrow and now really just want to concentrate on my football.
"We will just have to see how this week goes, but I'm up for the challenge and feel sure that I have plenty to offer the club over the rest of the season."
Whitley turns 29 this month, with the hope that he has also turned a corner and may yet turn out to play an important role in Wrexham's Football League survival battle.
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Post by bayernoatcake on Jan 15, 2008 16:36:13 GMT
So what are his personal problems?
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Post by knowles on Jan 15, 2008 16:38:12 GMT
Likes the liquid me thinks!
However, on the BBC website it says his whole career has been affected by personal problems, so presumably there is other stuff?!
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Post by Lakeland Potter on Jan 15, 2008 16:39:11 GMT
I'd have thought that alcoholism could be described as a personal problem. How many more do you want him to have?
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Post by u2oxeterstokie on Jan 15, 2008 16:39:51 GMT
Read the story - Booze!
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Post by wardrobe monster on Jan 15, 2008 16:41:18 GMT
Personally, I would have thought having to move to Wales as a child would affect the rest of your life!
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Post by spitthedog on Jan 15, 2008 16:55:52 GMT
i seem to remember he was here for quite some time
no wonder he took to the drink......................
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Post by s8to on Jan 15, 2008 17:16:11 GMT
Well he played about twice for us in all that time...
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