Andrew Whing

Andrew Whing

Whing playing for Oxford United in 2014
Personal information
Full nameAndrew John Whing
Date of birth20 September 1984
Place of birthBirmingham, England
Height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Playing positionDefender, Midfielder
Club information
Current team
Oxford United
Number16
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
2003–2007Coventry City106(2)
2006→ Brighton & Hove Albion (loan)12(0)
2007–2011Brighton & Hove Albion91(0)
2010→ Chesterfield (loan)11(0)
2010–2011→ Leyton Orient (loan)5(0)
2011Leyton Orient19(2)
2011–Oxford United71(2)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 13:34, 28 September 2013 (UTC).
† Appearances (Goals).

Andrew John Whing (born 20 September 1984) is an English professional footballer who plays for Oxford United.

Career

Coventry City

Born in Birmingham, Whing came through the ranks at Coventry City, eventually making his debut at Highfield Road in Coventry's Division One game against Burnley in February 2003.[1] Whing's first goal for Coventry came in a 3–1 home defeat against Nottingham Forest in August 2003.[2] The 2003–04 season saw Whing establish himself in the first-team squad at Coventry, making a total of 31 appearances for the club in all competitions.

However he struggled to really assert himself as a starter from then on and became a bit-part player for the Sky Blues. Whing though managed to provide a moment that will never be forgotten by Coventry fans as he scored the last ever goal for Coventry City at Highfield Road in the 6–2 win over Derby County in the 2004–05 season.[3] His running high-five celebration became the moment that almost all Coventry fans remember him for. This helped re-assert the full-back into the Coventry first team during the first season at the Ricoh Arena where he played 36 times in all competitions.

The 2005–06 season proved to be the high-water mark of Whing's Coventry career. Some poor performances the following season saw him loaned and then sold to Brighton & Hove Albion who were managed by his former manager Micky Adams.

Brighton & Hove Albion

Whing initially joined Brighton & Hove Albion on loan on 8 October 2006, initially for one month, but the club and fans alike were impressed by what they saw of Whing and the club extended his spell at the Withdean twice more. Whing was recalled by Coventry on 27 December, as the team looked to reinvigorate themselves following a run of three straight defeats. Brighton then tried unsuccessfully to sign Whing on a permanent basis during the January transfer window.

Whing eventually rejoined Brighton permanently during the summer of 2007 after his contract ended at Coventry. After helping them avoid relegation, Whing was overwhelmingly voted Brighton's player of the year for the 2008–09 season, receiving 77% of the vote.[4]

Under new manager Gus Poyet, Whing found first-team opportunities at Brighton very limited; therefore, on 5 March 2010, he was allowed to join League Two side Chesterfield on loan until the end of the season.[5]

Leyton Orient

On 28 October 2010, Whing signed for Leyton Orient on a two-month loan deal.[6] After impressing Os boss Russell Slade, Whing signed for Orient until the end of the season, and his Brighton contract was cancelled by mutual consent.[7] On 12 February, he scored his first goal in several years in Orient's 4–1 victory over Bristol Rovers.[8]

Oxford United

Whing signed a two-year deal with Oxford United when his contract with Leyton Orient expired in the summer of 2011. He said of OUFC: "This is a fantastic club with a lovely stadium and it gets great attendances that are worthy of a Championship side and it shows the potential here."[9] After initial criticism,[10] he won the Supporters Player of the Year Award at the end of the 2011–12 season.[11] He scored his first goal for Oxford in a 2–2 draw at Barnet on 20 November 2012.[12] His second was an uncharacteristic scissor-kick against Rochdale that left keeper Josh Lillis stunned.[13] He is now a fan's favourite and something of a cult hero on the Oxford terraces.[14]

References

  1. ↑ "Games played by Andrew Whing in 2002/2003". Soccerbase. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
  2. ↑ "Coventry 1 Nottm Forest 3". Digital Sports Group. 27 August 2003. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
  3. ↑ "Coventry 6–2 Derby". BBC Sport. 30 April 2005. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
  4. ↑ Tim Dudding (2 May 2009). "Whing Voted Player of the Season!". Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. Retrieved 30 December 2011.
  5. ↑ "Full-back Whings into Spireites: Brighton defender heads to Saltergate". Sky Sports. 5 March 2010. Retrieved 30 December 2011.
  6. ↑ "Os snap up Brighton defender Whing". Leyton Orient F.C. 28 October 2010.
  7. ↑ "Whing signs until end of season". Leyton Orient F.C. 7 January 2011.
  8. ↑ "Leyton Orient 4–1 Bristol Rovers". BBC Sport. 12 February 2011.
  9. ↑ "Andy Whings in". Oxford United F.C. 18 May 2011. Retrieved 30 December 2011.
  10. ↑ "Oxford United utility man Andy Whing delighted with support". BBC Sport. 8 March 2012. Retrieved 21 November 2012.
  11. ↑ "Player Profile: Andrew Whing". Oxford United F.C. Retrieved 21 November 2012.
  12. ↑ "Barnet 2–2 Oxford Utd". BBC Sport. 20 November 2012. Retrieved 21 November 2012.
  13. ↑ Pritchard, David (20 April 2013). "Oxford United 3 (Whing 53, Constable 76, Potter 90) Rochdale 0". Oxford Mail. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  14. ↑ "Remarkable Turnaround for Andy Whing". The Boys From Up The Hill Blog. 30 April 2012. Retrieved 2 June 2013.

External links

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