Cod Almighty | Article

by Tony Rogers

30 August 2005

Now 34, Justin Whittle was signed last summer, presumably to provide the 'experience' needed at for this level for a freshly assembled of misfits, a team and situation that manager Russell Slade reckoned the club would take time to get used to. 

Whittle made the short trip from Hull, ironically as Whittle's sixth season with the north bank side finally saw them escape their seemingly eternal battle of escaping from the bottom flight. His days there were clearly numbered when Peter Taylor appeared on the scene, making only 21 appearances throughout his last season with the Tigers'. With unknown riches at his disposal Taylor, the regularly 'tipped for' manager, preferred players of the solid and dependable calibre of Leon Cort. When you've the Titus Bramble of the lower leagues ahead in the pecking order, you know it is time to move on. 

After participating in 219 games, Whittle moved on and Slade showed a shrewd eye in capturing Whitts. In return the player accepted the challenge of leading Town rather than shirk away and see out his last footballing days. A 'no nonsense' style saw Whittle's first season with Town marked out by a battling and body-on-the-line approach to the game. Some fans found him lacking in pace and his passing abysmal. As the season developed, it transpired he was far from alone in the division when it came to such traits. 

His first aim: to stop the ball being put towards goal and showed the canny knack of using his muscle to achieve that. His second aim: to stop the ball being put towards goal. OK, I'm being harsh, but Whittle is a hardy stopper, and stop he rarely does. In times of chaos, he exerts a stern or calming word as needed, his physical sacrifices an example to the rest of the team. Never say die.

He's not going to be with the club forever, but by the time he departs he will have provided a useful bedrock on the pitch as the club finds stability. Similarly the younger players will have learnt a thing or two of 'mixing it up'. Basically he will have fulfilled what he was brought in to do.