In 2001, Whitley left Manchester City on a free transfer and returned to his adopted home by signing for Wrexham, going on to be named player of the season in his first campaign.
It was during his time with Wrexham that Whitley rediscovered a passion for singing, which he says he had neglected upon leaving the school choir. It returned when a solo artist visited the club to collaborate on a song.
“She wanted all the Wrexham lads to record the chorus line,” Whitley explains.
“The guy who was doing the sound liked my voice. He pulled me aside and asked if I’d like to come and do a guest spot in a theatre that the artist was performing at.”
An opportunity arose afterwards to play Sammy Davis Jr in a production with a West End cast.
Whitley told BBC Sport that he found himself moving more into this world as injuries piled up, saying it “filled a void” when he retired from football.