Former Lincoln City midfielder Elliott Whitehouse has signed for National League North side Chester on a permanent basis after departing Scunthorpe United, according to their official website.
The former Grimsby Town and Forest Green Rovers midfielder, who spent a brief period on loan at Chester after signing for the club from Scunthorpe back in March, has put pen to paper on a one-year deal at the Deva Stadium upon his release by the Iron.
https://twitter.com/ChesterFC/status/1665750326656524291?s=20
Who is Elliott Whitehouse?
A product of the Sheffield United youth system, midfielder Elliott Whitehouse has enjoyed a career around the lower leagues of the English Football pyramid, turning out for the likes of York City and Alfreton Town whilst on loan from Sheffield United, before being released by the Blades.
Following his departure from Bramall Lane, Whitehouse went on to sign for Notts County but his stay at Meadow Lane would prove to be a short one after only making eight appearances for the Magpies, with a loan spell at Nuneaton Borough in between.
A spell at FC Halifax Town and a second spell at Nuneaton Borough followed, before being snapped up by Lincoln City in October 2016. Whitehouse’s time with the Imps proved to be successful, helping the club win promotion back to the Football League in the 2016/17 season and in the following season, scoring the winning goal against League One side Shrewsbury Town at Wembley Stadium to win the EFL Trophy for the Lincolnshire outfit.
Despite being offered a new deal to remain at Sincil Bank at the end of the 2017/18 season, Whitehouse opted to sign for local rivals Grimsby Town on a two-year deal. After signing for the Mariners, Whitehouse would have to wait until the next season to make his full debut for the club after sustaining an ACL injury during pre-season training.
During his time at Blundell Park, the midfielder went on to appear 38 times for the club, scoring three goals before leaving at the end of the 2019/20 season to sign for fellow League Two side Forest Green Rovers.
After making 30 appearances and scoring three goals during his time at Forest Green Rovers, Whitehouse would depart the club at the end of their 2021/22 promotion-winning campaign, before being snapped up by Scunthorpe United after recently dropping out of the Football League.
Even though Whitehouse made 19 appearances in total for the Iron in the 2022/23 campaign, the midfielder failed to make much of an impact at Glanford Park before leaving the club to join Spennymoor Town on a brief loan spell between December 2022 and January 2023.
Alongside that loan spell at Spennymoor Town, the 29-year-old would end the season at National League North side Chester, in which he went on to make eight appearances and score three goals for the club as Chester missed out on promotion after losing the semi-finals of the National League North playoffs to Brackley Town.
https://twitter.com/ChesterFC/status/1665765431628517376?s=20
What’s been said?
Speaking to Chester’s official website after completing the permanent signing of the 29-year-old midfielder, manager Calum McIntyre expressed his delight after securing the services of Whitehouse on a permanent deal and explains how his signing could be significant for the club going forward.
“Elliott is another really important acquisition for us and I am delighted that a player of his quality, experience and personality is on board for the season ahead,” said manager Calum McIntyre.
“Elliott was really influential during his loan spell here and his desire to come and be a part of things permanently was really clear in all of our discussions.
“He is popular with the current group and is someone I feel can contribute a huge amount to try and take us where we want to be, I’m pleased to be working with him again.
“Our supporters know what to expect with Elliott and I feel this is a really significant signing for us ahead of an exciting season.”
Writer’s View
Being a Grimsby Town supporter during a time in which Elliott Whitehouse was involved with the Mariners, I’ve always thought of him as being a solid and influential midfielder option who would always give it his all every time he steps onto a football pitch.
Upon his signing for Chester in the National League North in which he enjoyed a brief loan spell at the club at the back end of the 2022/23 season, it is clearly seen by their supporters as a good signing and I personally feel the same.
For the level, I think It’s an excellent signing for the club and a clear signal of their intent as they look to go one further in the upcoming campaign to push for a return to the National League next season.
