Dave Whelan facts for kids
Whelan watching a Wigan Athletic match from the owner's box in May 2010
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | David Whelan | ||
| Date of birth | 24 November 1936 | ||
| Place of birth | Bradford, England | ||
| Position(s) | Full back | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1956–1960 | Blackburn Rovers | 78 | (3) |
| 1962–1966 | Crewe Alexandra | 115 | (0) |
| Total | 193 | (3) | |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
David Whelan (born 24 November 1936) is an English businessman and former footballer. He played for teams like Blackburn Rovers and Crewe Alexandra. Later, he became famous as the owner of Wigan Athletic. He was also the club's chairman for 20 years. He eventually passed the ownership to his grandson, David Sharpe.
Contents
Early Life and Football Career
David Whelan was born in Bradford, England. He grew up in Wigan. His family came from County Tipperary, Ireland.
Playing for Blackburn Rovers
Whelan played as a left back for Blackburn Rovers. He played 78 games and scored three goals. He was part of the team that reached the 1960 FA Cup Final. Sadly, Blackburn Rovers lost 3–0 to Wolverhampton Wanderers. During that game, Whelan broke his leg. This injury was a big setback for his football career.
Moving to Crewe Alexandra
After his injury, Whelan joined Crewe Alexandra. He played 115 games for them between 1963 and 1966. After that, he decided to stop playing football. He wanted to focus on starting his own business.
Building Businesses
David Whelan became a very successful businessman. He started with a market stall and built big companies.
Whelan Discount Stores
Whelan began by working on a market stall. He then opened his own grocery stores. He visited America to learn about self-service supermarkets. When he came back, he created his own chain of supermarkets. By the late 1960s, he had 10 stores in Lancashire. In 1978, he sold his business to Morrisons for £1.5 million.
JJB Sports
In 1971, Whelan bought a sports store in Wigan called JJ Bradburns. He kept the name JJB Sports. The company sold sports clothes and equipment. JJB Sports grew very quickly. By the 1990s, it was one of the biggest sports retailers in the UK. Whelan later sold his shares in JJB Sports.
DW Sports Fitness
In 2009, Whelan bought back some of JJB's fitness clubs and stores. He named his new company DW Sports Fitness. The "DW" stands for David Whelan. The stadium for Wigan Athletic was also renamed the DW Stadium.
Owning Football Clubs
Wigan Athletic F.C.
David Whelan bought Wigan Athletic in February 1995. At that time, they were in the third division of English football. Whelan promised to get Wigan Athletic into the Premier League. He kept his promise in 2005.
Under his ownership, Wigan Athletic won the Division Three title in 1997. They also won the Division Two title in 2003. In 2005, they were promoted to the Premier League. Whelan also paid for the £30 million Brick Community Stadium. It opened in 1999 and became the club's new home.
Wigan Athletic stayed in the Premier League for eight years. They even reached the League Cup Final in 2006.
In 2013, Wigan Athletic made history. They won the FA Cup Final by beating Manchester City 1–0. This was the club's first major trophy ever. It was a special moment for Whelan, 53 years after his own FA Cup Final injury. However, just three days later, Wigan was relegated from the Premier League.
On 3 March 2015, David Whelan stepped down as chairman. His grandson, David Sharpe, took over the role.
Wigan Warriors
Whelan also owned the rugby league club Wigan Warriors. In 2007, he sold his share in the club to Ian Lenagan.
Orrell Rugby Union Club
David Whelan and Maurice Lindsay also tried to form a rugby union team. They made big promises to the members of Orrell Rugby Union Club. The members sold their shares, hoping for future success.
Politics
David Whelan supports the Conservative Party. He has given money to the party over the years. He once asked for a minute's silence at all football games to remember Margaret Thatcher. The Football Association did not agree to this.
Achievements and Awards
As a Player
- Blackburn Rovers
- FA Cup runner-up: 1960
As an Owner
- Wigan Athletic
- Football League Second Division: 2003
- Football League Third Division: 1997
- FA Cup: 2013
- Football League Championship second-place promotion: 2005
- Football League Cup runner-up: 2006
Individual Awards
- In 2007, he was given the Freedom of the Borough of Wigan. This is a special honor from his hometown.
- In 2015, he received an Honorary degree from the University of Bolton.
