Introduction
David John Wheeler (born 4 October 1990) is an English professional footballer who currently plays as a right winger for Exeter City of League Two.
Playing career
Lewes
Wheeler started his career at Lewes in 2007–08, making his debut as a substitute against Brighton on 5 March 2008 in the Sussex Senior Cup semi-final and his first start in the Conference Premier 2008–09 season against Torquay United. He scored his first senior goal against Altrincham, scored 8 times the following season and 4 in his final season. The first full season was in the Conference Premier, the next two seasons in Conference South.
At a club beset by financial troubles at that time, local-lad and fans favourite Wheeler quickly made a big impression at Lewes, becoming a talismanic figure in a Lewes side of little quality. This was particularly the case in the 2010–11 season where his performances were often the only highlight in a Lewes team that was eventually relegated with the stand-out of those being his winning goal in a famous victory against eventual league winners Braintree. Such was Wheeler's impact over the season, he was given a standing ovation by the Lewes fans in his final game. Wheeler retains an interest in the fortune of The Rooks and is known to attend home games from time to time.
Staines Town
On 26 June 2011, due to travel commitments associated with his studies at Brunel University, Wheeler left Lewes and signed with Staines Town of the Conference South as it was the closest club to the campus. He made his Staines debut on 13 August, and scored his first goals for the club on the 29th, in a 2–1 home win against Boreham Wood. He finished the season with 9 goals, and was awarded both the Players Player and Club Player of the year awards. The following season, Wheeler scored a career-best 14 goals, which helped the club to avoid relegation, and repeated his achievements of the previous season by picking up both awards in the end of season honours. Wheeler was also captain of the team for the majority of his second season at the club.
Exeter City
On 2 August 2013, Wheeler signed a deal with Exeter City of Football League Two, after impressing on a trial. He made his professional debut a day later, in a 2–1 home win against Bristol Rovers. On 30 November 2013 Wheeler scored his first professional goal in a 2–2 draw against Bury.
International
In 2008–09, Wheeler made 8 appearances for the England U18 Schoolboys.
Career statistics
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Lewes | 2007–08 | Conference South | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 2 | 0 | |||
| 2008–09 | Conference National | 19 | 1 | — | — | — | 19 | 1 | ||||
| 2009–10 | Conference South | 42 | 7 | 3 | 0 | — | 7 | 1 | 52 | 8 | ||
| 2010–11 | Conference South | 31 | 4 | — | — | — | 31 | 4 | ||||
| Total | 94 | 12 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 104 | 13 | ||
| Staines Town | 2011–12 | Conference South | 29 | 9 | — | — | — | 29 | 9 | |||
| 2012–13 | Conference South | 41 | 14 | 1 | 1 | — | 3 | 1 | 45 | 16 | ||
| Total | 70 | 23 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 74 | 25 | ||
| Exeter City | 2013–14 | League Two | 35 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 38 | 3 |
| 2014–15 | League Two | 45 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 47 | 7 | |
| 2015–16 | League Two | 31 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 38 | 8 | |
| 2016–17 | League Two | 36 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 41 | 18 | |
| Total | 147 | 32 | 6 | 0 | 8 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 164 | 36 | ||
| Career total | 311 | 67 | 10 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 15 | 4 | 344 | 74 | ||
Honours
Club
- Conference South Champions: 2007–08