Paul Wheatcroft

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Paul Wheatcroft

| image =

| caption =

| fullname =

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1980|11|22|df=y}}

| birth_place = Manchester, England

| height =

| position = Forward

| youthyears1 = {{0|000}}?–1999

| youthyears2 =

| youthclubs1 = Manchester United

| youthclubs2 =

| years1 = 1999–2000

| years2 = 1999–2000

| years3 = 2000–2002

| years4 = 2001

| years5 = 2002

| years6 = 2002–2003

| years7 = 2003

| years8 = 2003

| years9 = 2003–2004

| years10 = 2004

| years11 = 2004

| years12 =

| clubs1 = Manchester United

| clubs2 = → FC Fortune (loan)

| clubs3 = Bolton Wanderers

| clubs4 = → Rochdale (loan)

| clubs5 = → Mansfield Town (loan)

| clubs6 = Scunthorpe United

| clubs7 = Southport

| clubs8 = Oldham Athletic

| clubs9 = Stalybridge Celtic

| clubs10 = Radcliffe Borough

| clubs11 = → Rossendale United (loan)

| clubs12 =

| caps1 = 0

| caps2 =

| caps3 = 3

| caps4 = 6

| caps5 = 2

| caps6 = 4

| caps7 = 7

| caps8 = 0

| caps9 =

| caps10 = 4

| caps11 =

| caps12 =

| goals1 = 0

| goals2 =

| goals3 = 0

| goals4 = 3

| goals5 = 0

| goals6 = 0

| goals7 = 1

| goals8 = 0

| goals9 =

| goals10 = 0

| goals11 =

}}

Paul Wheatcroft (born 22 November 1980) is an English former footballer who played as a forward. He started his career as a youth at Manchester United before joining Bolton Wanderers in 2000, being loaned out to Rochdale and Mansfield Town. In 2002, he then joined Scunthorpe United before dropping into non-League football with Southport, Stalybridge Celtic and Radcliffe Borough, where he was loaned to with Rossendale United.

Career

Wheatcroft started his career as a trainee at Manchester United, having attended The FA's National School of Excellence in Lilleshall.{{cite news | url = http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/sport/football/s/37899_wheatcroft_tells_of_reds_heartache | title = Wheatcroft tells of Reds heartache | publisher = Manchester Evening News | date = 4 December 2001 | accessdate = 27 October 2011 }} After a loan spell at South African club FC Fortune, Wheatcroft was released from Manchester United and subsequently signed for Bolton Wanderers. Whilst at Bolton, he had loan spells with Rochdale and Mansfield Town.

He went on to join Scunthorpe United in the summer of 2002,{{cite news | url = http://www.bwfc.co.uk/page/General/0,,1004~325778,00.html | title = Wheatcroft released | publisher = Bolton Wanderers F.C. | date = 17 November 2007 | accessdate = 27 October 2011 }} before being released and joining Conference National club Southport in January 2003.{{cite news | url = http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?newsmode=FULL&nid=8046 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20130130050739/http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?newsmode=FULL&nid=8046 | url-status = usurped | archive-date = 30 January 2013 | title = Southport win the race for Wheatcroft | publisher = Non-League Daily | date = 9 January 2003 | accessdate = 27 October 2011 }} Southport manager Phil Wilson stated that; "Paul has a good pedigree, having played for Manchester United and Bolton and we are hoping he can kick-start his career."{{cite news | url = http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?newsmode=FULL&nid=8165 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20130130050221/http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?newsmode=FULL&nid=8165 | url-status = usurped | archive-date = 30 January 2013 | title = Port to hand Wheatcroft his debut | publisher = Non-League Daily | date = 17 January 2003 | accessdate = 27 October 2011 }}

Wheatcroft then had a spell at Oldham Athletic, having been offered non-contract terms, but was released due to the club's poor financial situation.{{cite news | url = http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?newsmode=FULL&nid=12641 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20130130030453/http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?newsmode=FULL&nid=12641 | url-status = usurped | archive-date = 30 January 2013 | title = Two new Celts | publisher = Non-League Daily | date = 20 September 2003 | accessdate = 27 October 2011 }} He went on to join Stalybridge Celtic in September 2003.

In January 2004, Wheatcroft then joined Northern Premier League Premier Division club Radcliffe Borough alongside defender, Terry Bowker.{{cite news | url = http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?&newsmode=FULL&nid=15123 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20130208141612/http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?&newsmode=FULL&nid=15123 | url-status = usurped | archive-date = 8 February 2013 | title = Glendon's off shopping again | publisher = Non-League Daily | date = 20 January 2004 | accessdate = 27 October 2011 }} On signing for Radcliffe, his manager Kevin Glendon said; "Paul has an excellent pedigree and at still only 23 has crammed a lot of football experience into such a short space of time." In March 2004, he was loaned out to Northern Premier League First Division club Rossendale United.{{cite news | url = http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?newsmode=FULL&nid=16137 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20130130194331/http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?newsmode=FULL&nid=16137 | url-status = usurped | archive-date = 30 January 2013 | title = Neighbourly gesture by Boro | publisher = Non-League Daily | date = 5 March 2004 | accessdate = 27 October 2011 }}