Benjamin Whiteman

Benjamin Whiteman (born 17 June 1996) is an English footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Championship club Preston North End.

Benjamin Whiteman
Personal information
Full name Benjamin Whiteman[1]
Date of birth (1996-06-17) 17 June 1996
Place of birth Rochdale, England
Height 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)[2]
Position(s) Defensive midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Preston North End
Number 4
Youth career
Manchester United
0000–2014 Sheffield United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2014–2018 Sheffield United 8 (0)
2016–2017 → Mansfield Town (loan) 23 (7)
2017–2018 → Doncaster Rovers (loan) 25 (6)
2018–2021 Doncaster Rovers 108 (13)
2021– Preston North End 109 (9)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 14:48, 14 October 2023 (UTC)

In addition playing as an attacking midfield, Whiteman describe himself as a box-to-box midfielder.[3]

Club career

Sheffield United

Whiteman came through the youth ranks at Manchester United until he was released at sixteen before being offered a scholarship.[4][5] He joined Sheffield United and was assigned to the U18s side and then later the U21s side.[6] At the end of the 2013–14 season, Whiteman signed his first professional contract with the club.[7]

Whiteman was called up to the first team on 18 November 2014 by Nigel Clough against Crewe in the FA Cup, coming on as an 88th minute substitute for Stefan Scougall in a 2–0 win.[8] However, this turned out to be his only first team appearance, with the player returning to the Under-21's. At the end of the season, he opted to take up the offer of a contract extension that would ensure he remained under contract for the 2015–16 season.[9]

After impressing again in the development squad and with Nigel Adkins' pledge to play more youth players in the starting XI, Whiteman was called up to the first team on 1 March 2016 in the Blades' home league game against Burton Albion and was named on the bench, however he couldn't prevent his team losing 1–0, coming on as a 58th-minute substitute for Paul Coutts wearing the number 36 jersey.[10] Whiteman kept his spot in the matchday squad but was an unused substitute in a 2–2 draw away against Fleetwood. He started against Oldham on 12 March 2016, where he set up the first two goals in a 3–0 victory.[11] After being included in a number of first team matches towards the end of the season, Whiteman signed a contract extension with the club.[12] By the end of the 2015–16 season, he had made six appearances.

In the 2016–17 season, he was determined to make a first team breakthrough under manager Chris Wilder.[13] He was eventually promoted to the first team ahead of the new season.[14] However, Whiteman struggled and spent the first half of the season on the bench.[15]

Loan to Mansfield Town

On 1 January 2017, Whiteman was loaned out to Mansfield Town for the rest of the season.[16]

He made his Mansfield Town debut, where he started, in a 1–0 win over Blackpool on 2 January 2017.[17] In a follow-up match, he scored his first goal for the club, in a 3–0 win over Crewe Alexandra.[18] Whiteman then scored four more goals, including a brace against Hartlepool United on 11 February 2017.[19] As a result, he was nominated for January's Sky Bet League Two Player of the Month, but lost out to Ollie Watkins.[20]

He remained in the first team for the rest of the season[21] going on to score two more goals later in the season.[22] At the end of the 2016–17 season, having made 23 appearances and scoring 7 times for the side, he left the club on a high note, winning the club's awards, including Meden Event Security's Manager's Player of the Season.[23]

Doncaster Rovers

Whiteman joined Doncaster Rovers on loan in June 2017[24][4] being given a 12 shirt ahead of the new season.[25]

Whiteman made his Doncaster Rovers debut starting in the opening game of the season in a 0–0 draw against Gillingham.[26] He scored his first goal for Doncaster in a 3–2 EFL Cup win at Bradford City on 8 August 2017.[27] Since making his debut for the club, he quickly became a first team regular.[28] On 7 October 2017, Whiteman, whilst playing for Doncaster Rovers against Southend, scored his first ever senior hat-trick, with all three goals coming within 10 second-half minutes.[29] Whiteman's goal against Southend United earned him the Goal of The Season by attendees at the club's end of season awards ceremony.[30] He later scored three more goals.[31] The Sportsman named Whiteman in League One's Team Of The Half-Season.[32] He was recalled by Sheffield United in January 2018.[33] Soon after he was signed permanently by Rovers for an undisclosed fee, on a three-and-a-half-year deal.[34] For the rest of the season, Whiteman held his first team place as he went on to make 47 appearances, scoring 7 times in all competitions.[35]

Shortly after he was named as team captain for the season,[36] Doncaster Rovers reportedly turned down a substantial offer from Championship side Hull City just before the transfer window deadline on 8 August 2019. The tabled bid was believed to be worth at least £1,000,000.[37]

He signed a new contract with Doncaster in November 2019, until 2023.[38]

Preston North End

On 14 January 2021, Whiteman signed for Championship club Preston North End For £1.6 million, on a three-and-a-half year deal.[39] He scored his first goal for the club on 20 April 2021 in a 3–0 win against Derby County.[40]

Career statistics
As of match played 7 May 2022
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Sheffield United 2014–15[41] League One 0010000010
2015–16[42] League One 6000000060
2016–17[43] League One 2010002[lower-alpha 1]050
2017–18[44] Championship 0000——00
Total 80200020120
Mansfield Town (loan) 2016–17[43] League Two 237———237
Doncaster Rovers 2017–18[lower-alpha 2][44] League One 42610311[lower-alpha 1]0477
2018–19[45] League One 40362202[lower-alpha 3]0505
2019–20[46] League One 33520103[lower-alpha 1]0395
2020–21[47] League One 18523003[lower-alpha 1]0238
Total 13319115619015925
Preston North End 2020–21[47] Championship 23 1 — — — 23 1
2021–22[48] Championship 44 4 1 0 3 0 — 48 4
Total 67 5 1 0 3 0 — 71 5
Career total 231311459111026537
  1. Appearances in EFL Trophy
  2. Part of this season was spent on loan from Sheffield United
  3. Appearances in League One play-offs

    Personal life

    Whiteman grew up supporting Manchester United, whom he played for at Academy level.[5]

    Honours

    Individual

    References
    1. "Professional retain list & free transfers 2012/13" (PDF). The Football League. 18 May 2013. p. 44. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 August 2014.
    2. "First Team: Benjamin Whiteman". Preston North End F.C. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
    3. "Doncaster Rovers perfect for loan signing Ben Whiteman from Sheffield United". The Star. 26 June 2017. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
    4. "Doncaster Rovers confirm loan signing of Sheffield United's Ben Whiteman". The Star. 22 June 2017. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
    5. "Ambitious Whiteman dreaming of glory". Mansfield Town F.C. 4 April 2017. Archived from the original on 8 June 2018. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
    6. "Doncaster Rovers eye loan swoop for Sheffield United midfielder". The Star. 20 May 2017. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
      "Congratulations to our newest professionals". Sheffield United F.C. 1 May 2014. Archived from the original on 8 June 2018. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
    7. "Development Squad". Sheffield United F.C. 1 August 2014. Archived from the original on 8 June 2018. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
    8. "Sheff Utd 2 Crewe 0". BBC Sport. 18 November 2014. Retrieved 18 November 2014.
      "FA Cup first-round replay match report: Sheffield United 2, Crewe Alexandra 0". The Stoke Sentinel. 18 November 2014. Archived from the original on 30 November 2014. Retrieved 18 November 2014.
    9. "Senior trio leave the Lane". Sheffield United F.C. 15 May 2015. Archived from the original on 8 June 2018. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
    10. "Match Reports: Blades v Burton". Sheffield United F.C. 1 March 2016. Archived from the original on 8 June 2018. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
    11. "Fleetwood Town 2-2 Sheffield United". BBC Sport. 5 March 2016. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
      "Sheff Utd 3 Oldham 0". BBC Sport. 12 March 2016. Retrieved 12 March 2016.
    12. "Young professionals sign". Sheffield United F.C. 13 April 2016. Archived from the original on 8 June 2018. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
    13. "Sheffield United: Whiteman on passion, pain and new manager Chris Wilder". The Star. 9 June 2016. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
      "Whiteman aiming to kick on under new boss Wilder". The Star. 15 June 2016. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
    14. "Sheffield United: Academy trio answer first team call". The Star. 1 July 2016. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
    15. "Sheffield United: Loan mission for Blades' Ben Whiteman". The Star. 8 January 2017. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
    16. "Mansfield Town sign Joel Byrom and loan in Jake Kean and Ben Whiteman". BBC Sport. 31 December 2016. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
      "Stags add Blades midfielder on loan". Mansfield Town F.C. 1 January 2017. Archived from the original on 1 January 2017. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
    17. "Blackpool 0 – 1 Mansfield Town". BBC Sport. 2 January 2017. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
    18. "Mansfield Town 3 – 0 Crewe Alexandra". BBC Sport. 7 January 2017. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
    19. "Mansfield Town 2 – 0 Leyton Orient". BBC Sport. 28 January 2017. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
      "Barnet 0 – 2 Mansfield Town". BBC Sport. 4 February 2017. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
      "Mansfield Town 4 – 0 Hartlepool United". BBC Sport. 11 February 2017. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
    20. "Sky Bet League 2 Player of the Month and Manager of the Month nominees revealed". Sky Sports. 7 February 2017. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
    21. "Modest midfielder staying level-headed after plaudits". Mansfield Town F.C. 11 February 2017. Archived from the original on 8 June 2018. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
      "Midfielder Whiteman dreams of glory in 'The Stag'". Mansfield Town F.C. 30 March 2017. Archived from the original on 8 June 2018. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
    22. "Morecambe 1 – 3 Mansfield Town". BBC Sport. 25 March 2017. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
      "Crawley Town 2 – 2 Mansfield Town". BBC Sport. 6 May 2017. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
    23. "Loanee wins supporters' Player of the Month poll". Mansfield Town F.C. 7 February 2017. Archived from the original on 8 June 2018. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
      "Midfielder wins Fans' Player of the Month". Mansfield Town F.C. 8 March 2017. Archived from the original on 8 June 2018. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
      "Annual Awards: The winners". Mansfield Town F.C. 8 May 2017. Archived from the original on 8 June 2018. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
    24. "Ben Whiteman: Doncaster Rovers sign Sheffield United midfielder on loan". BBC Sport. 22 June 2017. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
    25. "Squad numbers 17/18". Doncaster Rovers F.C. 31 July 2017. Archived from the original on 8 June 2018. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
    26. "Doncaster Rovers 0 – 0 Gillingham". BBC Sport. 5 August 2017. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
    27. "Bradford City 2-3 Doncaster Rovers". BBC. 8 August 2017. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
    28. "Doncaster Rovers: Ben Whiteman was the right man for us - Ferguson". The Star. 8 August 2017. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
      "Whiteman still learning". Doncaster Rovers F.C. 10 November 2017. Archived from the original on 8 June 2018. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
    29. "Whiteman reflects on hat-trick". Sheffield United FC. 10 October 2017. Archived from the original on 8 June 2018. Retrieved 10 October 2017.
      "Doncaster Rovers 4 Southend 1: Our quality was superb, hails Fergie". The Yorkshire Post. 7 October 2017. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
    30. "Coppinger stars at Awards night". Doncaster Rovers F.C. 6 May 2018. Archived from the original on 8 June 2018. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
    31. "Bury 0 – 1 Doncaster Rovers". BBC Sport. 28 October 2017. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
      "Doncaster Rovers 2 – 0 Rochdale". BBC Sport. 29 December 2017. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
      "Peterborough United 1 – 1 Doncaster Rovers". BBC Sport. 1 January 2018. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
    32. "League One's Team Of The Half-Season". The Sportsman. 4 January 2018. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
    33. "Whiteman returns". Sheffield United FC. 4 January 2018. Archived from the original on 8 June 2018. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
    34. "Ben Whiteman: Doncaster Rovers sign Sheffield United midfielder". BBC Sport. 11 January 2018. Retrieved 11 January 2018.
    35. "Whiteman ready to kick on". Doncaster Rovers F.C. 6 June 2018. Archived from the original on 8 June 2018. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
    36. "Whiteman named as Rovers captain". Doncaster Rovers F.C. 1 August 2019. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
    37. Buckingham, Philip (6 August 2019). "Doncaster Rovers reject Hull City's opening offer for midfielder Ben Whiteman". hulldailymail.
    38. "Doncaster Rovers: Skipper Ben Whiteman extends contract until summer 2023". BBC Sport. 28 November 2019.
    39. "Ben Whiteman Joins On Permanent Deal". Preston North End F.C. 14 January 2021. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
    40. "Preston 3-0 Derby County". BBC. 20 April 2021. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
    41. "Games played by Benjamin Whiteman in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
    42. "Games played by Benjamin Whiteman in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
    43. "Games played by Benjamin Whiteman in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
    44. "Games played by Benjamin Whiteman in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
    45. "Games played by Benjamin Whiteman in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
    46. "Games played by Benjamin Whiteman in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
    47. "Games played by Benjamin Whiteman in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
    48. "Ben Whiteman | Football Stats | Preston North End | Season 2021/2022 | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
    49. "Whiteman takes top prize at End of Season Awards". Doncater Rovers FC. 5 May 2019. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
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