Whitham Vic Image 1 Southend United 1923

Description

Burnley, Lancashire born inside left or inside right Vic Whitham began his football career with Kimberworth Congregationals and joined Midland League club Rotherham County in 1914, before his football career was interrupted by the onset of the First World War, which forced the suspension of peacetime football in May 1915. After the War, Whitham signed for Second Division club Barnsley in 1919, making his Football League debut at Stoke that August, but he only made 3 appearances for The Tykes across their 1919-20 campaign.

Released by Barnsley, he signed for newly elected Third Division club Norwich City in the 1920 close season, and he scored the first League goal in their history in their inaugural League match, a second half equaliser in a 1-1 draw at Plymouth Argyle that August. But he lost his place in October after 6 matches, and only played 4 more matches, scoring twice more, before a return to Midland League football with Scunthorpe & Lindsey United in the summer of 1921.

After two seasons at The Old Show Ground, Whitham returned to Football League action signing for Third Division (South) club Southend United in the 1923 close season, and he hit the ground running for The Shrimpers, scoring 5 goals in his first 3 matches including a brace on his debut in a win at Merthyr Town that August. But he found goals more difficult to come by thereafter and lost his place in March 1924, leaving The Kursaal to join Midland League club Boston Town that summer after 10 goals in 22 appearances for Southend. After a single season with Boston he re-joined near neighbours Scunthorpe & Lindsey United, his last recorded club before his eventual retirement.

NB a peculiar image taken from a postcard, in which Whitham, in training gear, talks to former Southend United goalkeeper Len Hill, wearing a suit. Why would Hill be at a Southend United training session? We will probably never know!