Everyone at Scunthorpe United is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former youth player and Youth Development Officer Ian Whyte.
The former Norwich City and Iron player is better known for his Academy work in senior roles with Sheffield United, Portsmouth, Derby County, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Nottingham Forest, while he also returned to Scunthorpe to take up a similar role.
Employed in the Academy system for 25 years, Whyte worked with elite youth players in a culture of excellence with a proven ability to progress players to the professional level.
Widely acknowledged within the game as one of the most progressive and forward thinking youth coaches, embracing all new concepts and technologies, he would create a environment which ultimately lead to success for his players and teams.
After taking his FA Advanced Coaching Licence in 1989 he would begin his academy journey as Centre of Excellence Director with Grimsby Town between August 1990 and March 1993 before taking the role of Head of Youth Development at Glanford Park.
‘Chalkie”, as he is better known, would work under first team manager Richard Money and was responsible for the management and coaching of the under-19 side in the Northern Intermediate League. He would remain at the club for two-and-a-half years, leaving in August 1995.
His career would see him take the same role at Lincoln City, where he’d remain for five years until June 2000 when he took up an Assistant Academy Manager appointment at Nottingham Forest until September 2004.
Molineux and Wolverhampton Wanderers would be his next job, again as Academy Assistant Manager before in September 2005 he was lured to Derby County as the Academy Lead Development Phase Coach. He’d remain at the club for three years.
Whyte would then move onto Portsmouth for the following two years as Academy Schoolboy Player Co-ordinator.
He’d complete an ‘A’ License refresher course in 2011, along with the LMA and Prozone Evaluating Performance course and would end up at Rainworth Miner Welfare in October 2012.
'Chalkie' would return to the Iron as part of the academy set-up on a part-time basis in September 2016 and would predominantly be a coach of the under-15s. His ill health would mean he would cease to be involved with the set-up in December 2017.
The club would like to pass on their sincere condolences to Ian's family, former colleagues and friends at this difficult time.
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Although recovering from his illness, when 'Chalkie' returned to the club in 2016, he was just as enthusiastic as he ever was. It was great having Ian involved, seeing him pass on the benefit of his vast experience and knowledge to our young players, knowledge learnt over a life-time of football involvement. Ian barely missed a coaching session, two nights a week, Saturday morning and Sunday morning. His CV was stacked with qualifications and a lifetime of learning. Due to his health Ian was no longer able to continue his work within the Academy and at the half year break at Christmas 2017, he had to call a halt to his involvement. Ian’s passing is a very sad day for his personal family and friends and also for his ‘football family’ of which there will be thousands. To his family we send our deepest condolences. |
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A tribute from Academy Manager Tony Daws... |