Biography
Attacking midfielder Wheeler spent November and December 1989 at Hull City on non-contract terms, in the aftermath of Colin Appleton’s short-lived disastrous second spell as City manager. However Wheeler failed to earn a permanent deal under new boss Stan Ternent. He made five substitute appearances without making a first team start – a niche sub-only club record that he shares with Matthew Edeson and Clayton Donaldson.
Wheeler was born in Caerphilly but served his apprenticeship at Bristol Rovers rather than one of the bigger Welsh clubs. He didn’t break into the Gas first team and in 1984 returned to South Wales to work at Cyncoed College (which became Cardiff Met University) and spent a year playing Welsh League football for Aberaman FC, located near Aberdare in the Cynon Valley. He scored goals aplenty during that year, prompting Cardiff City to sign him in August 1985. He made 21 league appearances in 1985/86, principally during a run of first team games between January and March 1986. He was a first team regular throughout 1986/87, scoring 9 goals in all competitions. His first team chances were much reduced in 1987/88 as the Bluebirds won promotion out of Division Four. In 1988/89 he made 16 starts and was introduced as substitute another 15 times. He was released by Cardiff in the 1989 close season.
Wheeler joined Hereford United in February 1990 and during one and a half seasons he made 61 appearances for the Bulls, scoring 13 goals. Having re-established his first team credentials, Wheeler signed for Stockport County in 1991, then moved to Chester City a year later. He completed his career in the Cheshire and Lancashire non-league scene. After football he remained in the Stockport area and ran a plumbing business based in Marple.
Details
Nationality: Wales
Date/Place of Birth: 3 January 1965, Caerphilly
Hull City First Game: 4 November 1989, Watford H (Division Two), 24 years, 305 days old
Hull City Final Game: 9 December 1989, Port Vale H (Division Two), 24 years, 340 days old
Clubs
Bristol Rovers (1982-1984), Aberaman (1984-1985), Cardiff City (1985-1989), Hull City (1989), Hereford United (1990-1991), Stockport County (1991-1992), Scarborough (1992, loan), Chester City (1993-1994), Stalybridge Celtic (1994-1996), Leigh RMI (1996-1997), Winsford United (1997)
Hull City Record
Career: 5 apps, 0 goals
Paul Wheeler| Season | LGE App | LGE Gls | FAC App | FAC Gls | FLC App | FLC Gls | EUR App | EUR Gls | OTH App | OTH Gls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989/90 | 0 (5) | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |