John Whibley (7 July 1891 – 1972) was an English professional footballer who played in both the Southern League and Football League for Crystal Palace, as an outside left.[1] He also played non-league football for Sittingbourne.

John Whibley
Personal information
Full name John Whibley[1]
Date of birth 7 July 1891
Place of birth Sittingbourne, England
Date of death 1972 (aged 80–81)[1]
Position(s) Outside left
Youth career
?–1911 Sittingbourne
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1911–1923 Crystal Palace 146 (27)
1923–? Sittingbourne ? (?)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Playing career

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Whibley was born in Sittingbourne, Kent and began his youth career with local club Sittingbourne F.C.[2] He signed for Crystal Palace, then playing in the Southern League, in 1911,[3] and over the following seasons, up until the outbreak of World War I, was a reserve player making only 20 appearances, scoring three times.[2]

Whibley's career was then interrupted by military service,[4] but he returned to play for Crystal Palace in the 1919–1920 season (35 appearances, nine goals).[2] He made a total of 55 appearances in the Southern League scoring 12 goals.[2]

In 1920, Crystal Palace became a founder member of the Third Division and Whibley made the transition to professional football.[2] He became a regular in the side that won the inaugural Third Division title in 1920–21,[5] making 32 appearances and scoring five times.[2] Over the next two seasons Whibley made a further 59 appearances scoring 10 goals but towards the end of the 1922–23 season was no longer first choice outside-left[2] and in May 1923, returned to Sittingbourne.[6] He had made a total of 146 League appearances for Crystal Palace, scoring 27 goals.[2]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Joyce, Michael (2012). Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939. Nottingham: Tony Brown. p. 307. ISBN 978-1905891610.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Purkiss, Mike; Sands, Nigel (1989). Crystal Palace: A Complete Record 1905–1989. The Breedon Books Publishing Company. p. 92. ISBN 0907969542.
  3. ^ Purkiss, Mike; Sands, Nigel (1989). Crystal Palace: A Complete Record 1905–1989. The Breedon Books Publishing Company. p. 313. ISBN 0907969542.
  4. ^ "1905-1920: SOUTHERN LEAGUE DAYS". cpfc.co.uk. Crystal Palace Official Website. 1 June 2013. Retrieved 21 March 2015.
  5. ^ Purkiss, Mike; Sands, Nigel (1989). Crystal Palace: A Complete Record 1905–1989. The Breedon Books Publishing Company. p. 134. ISBN 0907969542.
  6. ^ Purkiss, Mike; Sands, Nigel (1989). Crystal Palace: A Complete Record 1905–1989. The Breedon Books Publishing Company. p. 344. ISBN 0907969542.
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