Manchester City: Interview with Jim Whitley

1 Dec 2001: Jim Whitley of Wrexham in action during the Nationwide League Division Two match played between Wrexham (3) and Northampton Town (2) at the Racecourse Ground in Wrexham, North Wales. DIGITAL IMAGE Mandatory Credit: Pete Norton / Allsport
1 Dec 2001: Jim Whitley of Wrexham in action during the Nationwide League Division Two match played between Wrexham (3) and Northampton Town (2) at the Racecourse Ground in Wrexham, North Wales. DIGITAL IMAGE Mandatory Credit: Pete Norton / Allsport
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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – MARCH 7: Kevin Keegan manager of Manchester City looks on during the Barclays Premiership match between Manchester City and Bolton Wanderers at the City of Manchester Stadium on March 7, 2005 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Jamie McDonald/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – MARCH 7: Kevin Keegan manager of Manchester City looks on during the Barclays Premiership match between Manchester City and Bolton Wanderers at the City of Manchester Stadium on March 7, 2005 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Jamie McDonald/Getty Images)

Time To Say Goodbye:

JB) Well then you were loaned out to a number of clubs before leaving City for good. Your last game came away to Huddersfield. Leaving City, I’ve put here, was that your decision, City’s decision or a mutual agreed decision from both parties? 

JW) What, when I left the club?

JB) Yeah.

JW) Yeah, you know I didn’t want to leave the club. But there comes a time where you have to move on. Kevin Keegan came in and my contract was up. He wanted new blood in and he wanted better players in. I was part of the players to exit, unfortunately, but such is life. With football you have to move on at times. I had a good experience playing for other teams, experiencing different tiers, experiencing different dressing rooms. That was big for me in my career and it’s all part and parcel of it. I’d have loved to stay at Manchester City for the rest of my career. But they gave me a great start and helped me out massively. I owe a lot to Manchester City, they’re a great club and I still follow them today.