Jeff Whitley Refuses To Offer Sanchez Apology
Jeff Whitley has refused Lawrie Sanchez’s offer of a Northern ireland international olive branch and has seemingly closed the lid on his international career.
Sanchez has recently written a letter to the Cardiff City midfielder telling him that he would arrange for the IFA Media Officer to consult with Whitley and help him draft a formal apology to the IFA and the Northern Ireland supporters who he let down with his pre-match antics in breaking a curfew with Phil Mulryne last year.
If he had agreed then Sanchez would have welcomed him back into the fold for next month’s tour of the US but Whitley has flat out refused to apologise and instead told Sanchez he had already booked a holiday for that time.
The latest incident has effectively signalled the end of Whitley’s time in the green and white shirt and despite Lawrie Sanchez telling him that he was one of his best players in his first 18 months in charge, Whitley doesn’t seem too bothered.
As a Northern Ireland fan I can assure Jeff Whitley that players with attitudes like his aren’t welcome at Windsor Park. Lawrie Sanchez has taken a welcome tough stance against several players during his time as manager and I back him fully with every one. You’re either with us or against us, there can be no half hearted measures on the pitch or off it and I’d rather have 11 Irish League players with a desire to play for the jersey than English lower league prima donnas who think they are doing our wee country a favour.
Good riddance.
About the author Alan Hylands
Alan is both a former SOTG editor and former World Soccer editor at the New York Times Company. Football-wise, he wishes he was a younger lovechild of Glenn Hoddle and Diego Maradona (not the short, fat, cokehead, religious nut bit obviously...)
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It is dissapointing that Whitely is cutting his nose off to spite his face. It is the sign of a big man that he is able to hold his hands up and say OK I was wrong. Lets move on from here.
It will probably be a decison that Whitely ends up regretting for the rest of his life. I’d love to talk to him
[...] Midfielders Stuart Elliott (Hull City) – A few seasons ago Elliott?s free goalscoring ways for Hull, mainly from the left-wing, were bringing interest from a number of Premiership and good Championship teams. He spent last year struggling for form in Hull?s return to the Championship, and his place for both club and country seem under threat. Scored a great freekick against Azerbaijan last year though! Steve Jones (Burnley) – I don?t think I?ve seen an individual miss as many sitters as Jonah! Despite countless chances in front of goal for Northern Ireland, Jones has scored just once, and that was in the Caribbean so I?ve never seen the goal! Seems to be returning to form with Burnley having stagnated at Crewe ? hopefully his free-scoring ways will translate to the international scene. Chris Brunt (Sheffield Wednesday) – Scorer of some cracking goals for our Under-21s and for Wednesday. Hasn?t quite done it at full international level yet, though has often been played out of position in centre-midfield. May well play for the Under-21s against Romania, expect him to displace Elliott and make the left-wing his own during this season. Steve Davis (Aston Villa) – One of the most highly rated midfielders in the Premiership, if he didn?t play for Villa he may have earned some of the major Young Player of the Year awards. Set-up Healy?s goal against England, and adds a dynamism to midfield not seen in my memory! Captained the squad in the US at just 21 years-old, our youngest captain since Terry Neill in the 1960s! Tommy Doherty (QPR) – Being a talented misfit at Bristol City earned him a place in the Northern Ireland team, and he put in an immense performance in a 0-0 draw with Spain a few years ago. Lost his enthusiasm, and admitted that he didn?t really want to play international football, whichm to a dgree, I respect him for. Seems like a huge waste of talent and on his way out of QPR. Keith Gillespie (Sheffield United) – Probably the most naturally gifted player to grace the Northern Ireland team since the 1980s, its just a shame a big chunk of his career was spent believing his hype instead of living up to it! The past few seasons have finally seen Gillespie put in the performances he should be, and despite passing thirty he still has the pace to terrify anyone. Back in the Premiership too, hopefully he takes a good bite at his last chance at the top level. Oh, and controls the temper! Damien Johnson (Birmingham City) ? Appointed captain by his club as they attempt to bounce straight back after relegation. Always steady in the Northern Ireland midfield, I can barely remember him putting a foot wrong, though he could do with scoring someday! Serving a suspension for the first two qualifiers, and I think we?ll struggle to replace him. Steve Robinson (Luton) – Oft forgotten central midfielder, he?s earned just a handful of caps in nearly a decade of international football. Starred in Luton?s 5-3 FA Cup defeat by Liverpool last season, and surely wouldn?t look out of place at a higher level. Alas I feel his career has been highlighted by inconsistency and injuries and its probably too late for him. Grant McCann (Cheltenham) ? Former West Ham player who?s been a steady but unspectacular utility man for Northern Ireland for a number of seasons, slotting in across midfield or at full-back. Although he could probably do a job at a higher level than Cheltenham, he?ll remain little more than a squad player at international level. Phil Mulryne (unattached) ? The biggest waste of talent I can think off. Unlucky at Man United due to injuries, even then Ferguson was sad to let him go. At Norwich he gained weight and an attitude problem. Last season was sent home from the Northern Ireland squad along with Cardiff team-mate Whitley for breaking curfew. Never apologised, and never recalled. Currently without a club, and it wouldn?t surprise me if he pisses his life away against a wall! Jeff Whitley (Cardiff City) ? The other of the ?Cardiff Two?, I?d love to see Whitley back in the squad as he?s a capable player at the highest level, and really we need the cover in midfield. Has to bite the bullet and apologise publicly to Sanchez, or wait for a change of manager. I?ll never forget his goal against Wales in Cardiff, corker! Sammy Clingan (Nottingham Forest) ? Long-time star and captain of the Under-21s, Clingan made his international debut during the US tour. High hopes for him, hopefully he can help Forest out of League One this season too. Jeff Hughes (Lincoln City) ? Young left-midfielder or left-back plucked from the obscurity of Larne to play in the obscurity of Lincoln?s Sincil Bank. Played during the US tour, I haven?t seen much of him, and don?t expect to for a few years yet. Mark Hughes (Oldham Athletic) ? Former Spurs trainee, Hughes has impressed since joining Oldham. Another to play in the US at the end of last season, another who?ll have to bide his time for further full international recognition. [...]