28 Facts About Fred Wheldon

George Frederick Wheldon was an English sportsman.

George Frederick Wheldon was born on 1 November 1869 in Langley Green, which was then in Worcestershire.

Fred Wheldon was the youngest of ten children of Eliza and Joseph Wheldon, who worked his way up to become manager of Albright and Wilson's phosphorus works at Langley Green, and attended Chance's infant school and Langley St Michael's school.

Fred Wheldon was twice married and had at least five children.

Fred Wheldon went into the licensed trade while still a footballer, and continued after his retirement from the game.

Fred Wheldon died at home, the Farriers Arms pub in Worcester, on 13 January 1924 at the age of 54.

Fred Wheldon played football for Oldbury-based club Rood End White Star, and by 1887 was representing his hometown club, Langley Green Victoria.

Fred Wheldon played once more for the first team in what remained of that season, and then turned professional.

Fred Wheldon missed a fixture for the first and what would remain only time in a six-year professional career with Small Heath, on 11 February 1895, when his sister died on the morning of a match.

Fred Wheldon refused to re-sign for Small Heath on his current terms, and the directors of what would be a Second Division club did not feel able to increase his wages.

On 4 June 1896, Fred Wheldon signed for League champions Aston Villa, reportedly the only club to meet Small Heath's valuation.

Fred Wheldon himself kept a notebook detailing his appearances and goals, in which he recorded two goals in that final.

Fred Wheldon finished as the league's top scorer with 21 goals.

Fred Wheldon did not return, and then took part in Worcestershire's match against Surrey Second XI beginning on the 23rd, so Villa's committee suspended him sine die and requested an explanation.

Fred Wheldon expressed regret for his absence, but told them that he thought playing cricket was an adequate alternative to pre-season football training.

Fred Wheldon was appointed captain, but two months into the season, the team were struggling and he himself had not scored, so he gave up the captaincy at his own request.

Fred Wheldon retired from football, aged 37, in January 1907.

Fred Wheldon won four England caps whilst at Villa, scoring six goals.

Fred Wheldon won his first England cap against Ireland at Trent Bridge, Nottingham on 20 February 1897.

Fred Wheldon played cricket for Langley Green and, having impressed with both bat and ball playing against them in 1892, moved on to Dudley of the Birmingham League.

Fred Wheldon turned out for Worcestershire Club and Ground in June 1893, and became an increasingly regular selection for the full county side, contributing to the three consecutive outright Minor Counties titles that preceded their admission to the County Championship.

Fred Wheldon played in Worcestershire's maiden first-class game, against Yorkshire in May 1899.

Fred Wheldon made a useful 49 not out in the first innings, and held two catches in Yorkshire's second.

Fred Wheldon played in 14 matches in total that season, scoring 541 runs at an average of 33.81 including three half-centuries.

Fred Wheldon collected his only first-class stumping that year, against Yorkshire: Thomas Straw had been due to keep wicket, but was delayed in arriving at the ground, so Wheldon replaced him both in the team and behind the stumps.

Fred Wheldon passed 900 runs again in 1904; he collected 40 catches, by far the most in a season in his career, and scored a century before lunch on the second day of the match against Leicestershire.

Fred Wheldon did return for 1906, but again his form was poor and though he made an unbeaten 89 batting at number nine against Warwickshire his next highest score was 31 and he played no more first-class cricket after the end of the season.

Fred Wheldon did appear in the Minor Counties Championship for Worcestershire Second XI in 1907 and for Carmarthenshire in 1910.