William Whitehurst (born 10 June 1959) is an English retired professional footballer active during the 1980s and 1990s. Whitehurst's aggressive, intimidating, violent style of play attracted much notoriety in his journeyman career.
Career Whitehurst was born in Thurnscoe, West Riding of Yorkshire and started his career playing for a number of semi-professional teams in South Yorkshire, Retford Town, Bridlington Trinity and Mexborough Town, whilst also working for the local council as a bricklayer. He eventually made the move into the professional ranks with Hull City in 1980 signing for a £2,000 fee. He initially struggled with the demands of the professional game but eventually sealed his place as one of the most popular players to have ever played for the club. He helped the Tigers win promotion in 1982–83 and 1984–85 with Whitehurst scoring a career best of 24 goals.
He joined Newcastle United in 1985 as their then record signing for £232,000. Despite playing in a side containing Peter Beardsley and Paul Gascoigne, the move did not work out and Whitehurst failed to score in his first 11 appearances for the club. A spat with his own supporters signalled the end of his career on Tyneside and after playing only 28 league games he was transferred to Oxford United in 1986. However the move there was similarly short-lived, and Whitehurst left after a clash with assistant manager Ray Graydon.
Whitehurst then joined Reading in February 1988 scoring eight goals in 19 matches for the Royals he left for Sunderland scoring three in 18 matches before making a return to Hull City. Whitehurst spent a year and a half back at Boothferry Park before joining Sheffield United. Whitehurst helped the Blades gain promotion in 1989–90 and spent a short time out on loan at Stoke City in 1990–91 where he played in five matches. Whitehurst ended his professional career at Doncaster Rovers during which time he also played on loan for Crewe Alexandra.
Whitehurst ended his playing days abroad, playing in Northern Ireland, Australia and in Hong Kong with South China (1992–93) before a long-standing knee injury caused his retirement in 1993.
Personal life and post-retirement He supported Manchester United as a child and George Best was his favourite player. Whitehurst told Shoot magazine in the 1980s that Keith Mincher and Chris Chilton had the greatest influences on his career and said that Mincher made him believe in himself while Chilton had taught him positions to take up in the box. Whitehurst cited Spitting Image and Taxi as his favourite shows and Bruce Springsteen and Nat King Cole as his favourite musicians.Shoot Magazine, Focus on Billy Whitehurst, publisher: Shoot Magazine, published: 1980s
In the 1980s Whitehurst was married with two children.
Since retiring from football Whitehurst has trained greyhounds, run several public houses in South Yorkshire and worked in the building trade and in the stores at BP Saltend and Drax Power Station. In 2008, he was found guilty of benefit fraud and given a suspended prison sentence.
Career statistics + Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsHull City1980–81Third Division2610000002611981–82Fourth Division3665220314691982–83Fourth Division3632021314351983–84Third Division371021205046111984–85Third Division402010332146241985–86Second Division1871032332512Total1934711312616623262Newcastle United1985–86First Division2071000002871986–87First Division80002000100Total287102000387Oxford United1986–87First Division2021000122241987–88First Division202105010272Total404205022496Reading1987–88Second Division1560000001561988–89Third Division2200200042Total178002000198Sunderland1988–89Second Division173000010183Hull City1988–89Second Division2153200002471989–90Second Division150100000160Total365420000407Sheffield United1989–90Second Division1420000001421990–91First Division8000001090Total222000010232Stoke City (loan)1990–91Third Division3020000050Doncaster Rovers1990–91Fourth Division1310000001311991–92Fourth Division90212200133Total221212200264Crewe Alexandra1991–92Fourth Division100000010110Career total3887722623821845499
Honours Hull City Football League Fourth Division runner-up: 1982–83 Football League Third Division third-place promotion: 1984–85 Associate Members' Cup runner-up: 1983–84
Sheffield United Football League Second Division runner-up: 1989–90
References
External links Interview with Billy Whitehurst on Talksport