Justin Whittle (1998/99)
Adjacent at the bottom of the league with risk of dropping out of the Football League, manager Mark Hateley had recently been sacked and player Warren Joyce stepped up to take over the managerial reigns at Hull City. One of Joyce’s early signings became our Player of the Year in a critical campaign for the football club, Justin Whittle.
Arriving from Stoke City, the defender made his City debut in a vital 1-0 victory over Carlisle United, when on-loan forward Craig Dudley struck late to secure the club’s first league win in a month and only their fourth league win of the campaign.
“I don’t remember many things, but I remember that game. I had just signed with another lad called Gareth Williams and we both travelled in together from Derby, which was an added bonus sharing a lift,” revealed Whittle. “We had a lad on loan from Notts County called Craig Dudley. I remember it being a tough game and it was 0-0 up until the final minute and we had a corner and Craig popped up with a goal to win the game 1-0. To win your first home game on your first appearance was fantastic.
“At the time, I was in and out of the team at Stoke and then I had the opportunity to join Hull City. They were at the bottom of the league and it was a big challenge, but all I wanted to do was to play football. The team were fighting for their lives and I thought I could help that.”
Defeating Luton Town in the second round of the FA Cup in his second appearance, Whittle and Hull City then suffered four consecutive losses in the League Division Three. With Mark Bonner scoring the winner in his only City appearance in a 1-0 win over Rotherham United, the following test against Hartlepool United proved to be a turning point in the season according to Whittle.
“The game that turned it was Hartlepool at home which we won 4-0. Brian McGinty and David Brown both scored two and I think Peter Beardsley played for Hartlepool and that was the start of a good run. I remember we then beat Leyton Orient away 2-1 and Brentford away 2-0 with Colin Alcide and David Brown scoring.
“Alcide, we had recently brought in from Lincoln as well, but we had signed Jon Whitney, Jason Perry, Gary Brabin, and these were all players that we needed to get out of our situation. The more games we played, the results seemed to get better and we had that fighting spirit and we had a togetherness that you can’t really buy.”
Netting his first City goal in a 1-1 draw against Barnet, Whittle was instrumental in helping the club maintain their Football League status. Making 24 appearances in the league, the now 52-year-old spoke on what the Great Escape meant to him, the club and the city of Hull.
“The Great Escape meant everything, because no one wants to go out of the Football League, because everyone knows how difficult it is to get back in and you also don’t want it on your CV of being relegated,” explained Whittle.
“One game I remember was Peterborough away and Jon Whitney scored a thunderbolt free-kick in the 86thminute and we all couldn’t believe it. We were lost for words because he absolutely smashed it and it flew in. Unfortunately, they scored in the 90th minute so it was a good point, but it was three points we nearly had and the camaraderie then was fantastic. No one shirked or faked injury. Everyone wanted to play, because everyone wanted the club to achieve to stay in the division and it was vital for the fans. They were great and travelled everywhere watching us and supported us, even through the bad times.”
Whittle’s performances on the pitch, albeit signing in November, won him the club’s prestigious Player of the Year award. Staying with the Tigers for a further five seasons, the Derby-born defender ended his City career with 219 appearances, netting three times, making his final appearance against the club he made his debut against, Carlisle United on 14 February 2004.
Returning to his Player of the Year award, Whittle concluded with a special mention to the supporters and manager Joyce for their support to him throughout the 1998/99 campaign.
“It was a fantastic feeling winning the award. I always tried to give 100% on the pitch each game and that is what I was always about and Warren was fantastic as he gave you the confidence to go out there and give your all. I tried to never be negative and work hard and the fans appreciated that and it is a fantastic feeling knowing that the fans have voted you the best player for that season.”
