Introduction
Alex Whittle (born 15 March 1993) is an English professional footballer who plays as a left back for National League club York City.
Club career
Whittle was born in Liverpool, Merseyside and attended Maricourt Catholic School in Maghull, Merseyside. He started his career at Liverpool where he joined as a six-year-old, and spent 11 years at the club before being released in early 2011. He then joined the Glenn Hoddle Academy in Spain in February 2011 and the Nike Academy for the 2011–12 season, where he went on trial to Brighton & Hove Albion, Heart of Midlothian and Dunfermline Athletic.
He joined Dunfermline Athletic on a pre-contract in April 2012 ahead of signing a three-year contract. He made his debut on 28 July in a Scottish Challenge Cup match against Forfar Athletic and his Scottish Football League debut on 11 August in a 4–0 victory against Cowdenbeath. Whittle was signed as a winger and made sporadic appearances, often as a substitute, but got his break in the first team at left back following the redundancy of Stephen Jordan amid Dunfermline's entry into administration. He scored his first goal for Dunfermline against Ayr United on 28 September 2013. After being released by Dunfermline at the end of 2014–15, Whittle appeared as a trialist for Hartlepool United in a friendly match against Spennymoor Town. Hartlepool manager Ronnie Moore commented that he was "pleased" with Whittle's performance, adding that he had asked Whittle to stay with the club for an extra week in order to assess him.
In September 2015, Whittle signed for National League North team AFC Fylde, making his debut as a substitute in a 2–2 draw with Tamworth. On 23 March 2016, Whittle signed for National League club Southport, debuting three days later as a 33rd-minute substitute in a 2–0 home win over Guiseley. He made seven appearances for Southport over the remainder of 2015–16.
On 23 May 2016, Whittle signed for newly relegated National League team York City on a one-year contract, with the option of a further year.
International career
Whittle was capped by the England schools team over 2008–09.
Career statistics
- As of match played 21 January 2017
| Club | Season | League | National Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Dunfermline Athletic | 2012–13 | Scottish First Division | 24 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 31 | 0 |
| 2013–14 | Scottish League One | 30 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 40 | 2 | |
| 2014–15 | Scottish League One | 24 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 28 | 1 | |
| Total | 78 | 1 | 8 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 99 | 3 | ||
| AFC Fylde | 2015–16 | National League North | 12 | 0 | 4 | 1 | — | 2 | 0 | 18 | 1 | |
| Southport | 2015–16 | National League | 7 | 0 | — | — | — | 7 | 0 | |||
| York City | 2016–17 | National League | 26 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 2 | 0 | 30 | 0 | |
| Career total | 123 | 1 | 14 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 13 | 0 | 154 | 4 | ||