Football Career
"Diamond" Freddie Wheldon, an inside-left with good footwork and an eye for goal, joined Small Heath, then playing in the Football Alliance, in February 1890. In the following six seasons he missed only one League game. In 1892-93, the inaugural season of the Football League Second Division, he scored Small Heath's first ever Football League goal, and his 25 goals in 22 appearances that season did much to help the club to the Division Championship; they failed to win promotion via the Test Match system then in operation. He scored over 20 goals again the next season, and this time the club were promoted. On Small Heath's relegation in 1895-96, Wheldon joined reigning First Division champions Aston Villa for a fee of £350.
In his first season he was Aston Villa's leading scorer, and in 1897-98 he was the League's top scorer with 21. During his four seasons at the club they won three League titles, including the League/FA Cup Double in 1896-97. Wheldon also won four England caps during this period, scoring six goals.
At the end of the 1899-1900 season he moved to West Bromwich Albion for a fee of £100, which made him the first player to play for all three major Birmingham-area clubs. He later represented several other clubs for short periods, and retired from football in January 1907 at the age of 37.
| “ | One of the select few who have won fame both at cricket and football. At one period of his long and brilliant career, Fred Wheldon's services would have been accepted by any club in the country. When at his best, he was undoubtedly the finest inside left forward England possessed. His command of the ball, his adaptability to prevailing conditions, combined with his dodging, his swerving, and his deadly shooting, made him a great player in the highest company. Brilliant with head and foot alike, he has always been an ornament to the game. Can boast the distinction of having represented Small Heath, Aston Villa, and West Bromwich Albion. | ” |
The Villa News and Record 1 September 1906
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