Members News: Sky Blues Last H.R. Goal Getter Is 40 Today. ‘Happy Birthday’ Whingy!!

The famous ‘last Highfield Rd goal’ celebration

CCFPA sends birthday greetings for today to our member, former Sky Blue Andrew Whing who is celebrating his big 40th birthday today.

A Brummy, born on 20th September 1984, Andy was at CCFC for a decade from a schoolboy in 1997, debutant at right back in 2003 making 119 first team appearances (two goals) and released in May 2007. He achieved a place in the club history books by scoring the Sky Blues’ last ever league goal at their old Highfield Road ground in a 6-2 victory over local rivals Derby County in 2005 (right).

Andy in the Sky Blue

Subsequently Andy played for Brighton and Hove Albion, Chesterfield (on loan), Leyton Orient (after a loan spell) and his last professional club as a player Oxford United in May 2011 where he won ‘player of the year’ in 2012. Sadly, a hip injury eventually brought his career to a premature end after over 100 appearances for the Bulls. Subsequently becoming Oxford United‘s joint U18 coach he then moved to join fellow CCFPA member John Eustace who became Kidderminster Harriers‘ ‘gaffer’, becoming the U23 side head coach.

Whingy playing for Charity

However, then ‘Whingy’ returned to CCFC in February 2018 to work with the Sky Blues U18s under Andy Crabtree and then in September 2019 moved to a new post as U23 coach at Hereford FC joining former Sky Blue ‘gaffer’ Russell Slade under whom Andy played previously.

In May 2020 Andy got his first crack at occupying a first team gaffer’s chair when appointed as as manager of Southern League Premier Division Central club Banbury United and leading them to the league title in 2020-21 and National League football for the first time. He resigned from this role last April but soon got fixed up by, in July 2023, becoming ‘gaffer’ at local National League side Solihull Moors.

Andy has been seen back at the Ricoh watching the Sky Blues a number of times including as the Association’s special match-day guest (including earlier this season) and has played for the Sky Blues Legends XI for charity (pictured right in summer 2019).

Have a great Birthday today Andy!