Tony Whelan
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Tony Whelan (b. 20 November 1952 in Salford, Lancashire) is a former Manchester United footballer who is currently Manchester United's Assistant Academy Director for 9 - 16 year olds and head coach of the under 11's - 12's team.
Whelan began his playing career at Manchester United, but failed to make any first team appearances. After a similarly unsuccessful spell at Manchester City he moved on to Rochdale where he scored 20 goals in 130 first team outings. In between, Whelan played one year (1976) for coach Ron Newman's Los Angeles Skyhawks and helped them win an American Soccer League championship. In 1977, he moved to the Fort Lauderdale Strikers of the North American Soccer League. In 1980, he was transferred to the Atlanta Chiefs for two years before finishing his career with the Strikers in 1983.[1]
Whelan is also the author of The Birth of the Babes: Manchester United Youth Policy, 1950-57 which examines the impact of youth development and the building of the Busby Babes side at United [1]. He has also been involved in supporting the Unity Cup Festival organised by Kick It Out, the anti-racism initiative in English football, for refugees.[2]
