Aileen Whelan

Aileen Mary Whelan (born 11 August 1991) is an English footballer who plays as a midfielder or forward for FA WSL club Brighton & Hove Albion.[3] Whelan started her playing career in 1996 at Rugby Town Girls FC, after it was set up by Steve Heighton and Michelle Guppy and her father Declan became a coach.

Aileen Whelan
Whelan in 2018
Personal information
Full name Aileen Mary Whelan[1]
Date of birth (1991-08-11) 11 August 1991
Place of birth Stafford, England
Position(s) Midfielder, Forward
Club information
Current team
 Brighton & Hove Albion
Number 7
Youth career
Rugby Town Girls FC
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
Rushden & Diamonds F.C.
Barnet Ladies F.C.
2009–2011 Milton Keynes Dons
2011–2013 Nottingham Forest 22 (10)
2013–2017 Notts County 58 (9)
2017 Everton 2 (1)
2017– Brighton & Hove Albion 70 (17)
National team‡
England U23
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 9 March 2020[2]
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 6 October 2018

Club career

Whelan started her senior career turning out for Rushden & Diamonds F.C., Barnet Ladies F.C. and Milton Keynes Dons.[4][5] She then signed for Nottingham Forest, ahead of their 2011–12 Women's Premier League season and scored on her debut for the club.[6] She stayed with Forest for the 2012–13 season.[7][8]

Whelan transferred to Notts County during the summer of 2013 ahead of their maiden season in the FA WSL.[9]

She left the club following its folding and joined Everton in May 2017. Everton went on to win the FA WSL 2 Spring Series.[4]

Whelan signed for FA WSL 2 side Brighton & Hove Albion in September 2017. During her first season at the club she was named February 2018 WSL 2 Player of the Month.[10][11] The club joined FA WSL 1, the top tier of women's football in England, ahead of the 2018–19 season.[3][12]

International career

Whelan represented England at their under-23 level.[3] She also competed for Team GB at the World Student Games in 2013, winning the gold medal.

Personal life

Whelan holds a master's degree in child psychology and works part-time as a play therapist outside of football.[13] She has a young child with her partner, former Brighton defender Fern Whelan.[14]

References
  1. "List of Players under Written Contract Registered Between 01/08/2018 and 31/08/2018" (PDF). The FA. Retrieved 3 December 2018.
  2. "A. Whelan". Int.soccerway.com. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
  3. "Aileen Whelan". Brightonandhovealbion.com. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
  4. "Aileen Whelan". Evertonfc.com. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
  5. "Combination Leagues round-up". Womenssoccerscene.co.uk. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
  6. "Women's Premier League: Leaders Sunderland held to draw". BBC Sport. 14 November 2011.
  8. "Ladies Capture WSL 1 Pair - Everton Football Club". Evertonfc.com. Archived from the original on 11 February 2018. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
  9. "FA WSL Summer 2013 Transfers". Mywomensfootball.wordpress.com. 5 September 2013. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
  10. "Albion striker Whelan wins player of the month award". Britghtonandhoveindependent.co.uk. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
  11. "February's WSL 2 Player of the Month is Brighton's Aileen Whelan". 4theloveofsport.co.uk. 13 March 2018. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
  12. "Aileen Whelan". Skysports.com. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
  13. "Brighton's Aileen Whelan: 'I'll concentrate on child psychology after retiring' | Louise Taylor". the Guardian. 14 April 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  14. Taylor, Louise (14 April 2021). "Brighton's Aileen Whelan: 'I'll concentrate on child psychology after retiring'". The Guardian.


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