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Bolton Wanderers rejected the man they were later to make their
captain, so Mike Whitlow found himself playing in the HFS League
with Witton Albion when Howard Wilkinson came in to make him one of
his first signings, along with Neil Parsley in a joint deal.
Whitlow went on to much greater things than Parsley: he became a
key member of the side that won promotion from Division 2 and
established itself as a contender in the top flight, but the
arrival of Tony Dorigo consigned Whitlow to the bench. Never
spectacular, but a reliable and solid member of a team that played
and fought for each other, he was one of those players who was
popular with the fans for his work-rate and the fact that he did
his best - even if some of the crowd were less than charitable as
to what that best amounted to. He was released by Leeds close to
deadline day in 1992 and enjoyed a good stint in the Premier League
with Leicester and in the PL/Division 1 with Bolton, who finally
decided that they could find a place for the man they had discarded
nearly 15 years before.
In 2001-02 he was at the heart of Bolton's defence alongside the
experienced ex-Spurs player Gudni Bergsson and together they helped
to keep Bolton in the Premier League. He also finally received his
Championship medal this year when it was realised he had played
enough games while at Elland Road to qualify for one in 1992.
Whitlow was released at the end of his contract at the end of the
2002-03 season.
Hazel Fletcher says: I am researching the WHITLOW name as I have
ancestors of that name. I have written to Mike and will let you
know if anything turns up.
Chris says: Mike was in the year below me at school, top bloke
even then.
Russell Hartle says: a very good pro,and a nice man too.
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