Whimple Whippet out to Stud

One-time City favourite Barry McConnell has announced that he will retire at the end of the season. The 37 year old utility wide player, known affectionately as the “Whimple Whippet”, came through the youth ranks at City and broke into the first team under Peter Fox – most notably at the time scoring as a young City side beat a full-strength Chelsea team in a pre-season friendly.

Having played almost exclusively on the wing under Fox, Noel Blake would often play him further back at right back to great effect. He was surprisingly released by Blake, but never gave up and convinced the City boss to give him another crack, and he ended up staying until 2005, being granted a testimonial against Charlton. By then injuries had begun to take their toll and McConnell left to join Tamworth where he only made two appearances before moving on again. After a short stay at Forest Green he dropped down to play for Tiverton, Weston-Super-Mare (two spells), Truro City (alongside about 37 other ex-City players!) and eventually Weymouth, where has has spent the past two seasons.

McConnell made 192 appearances for City (would have been a lot more but for his injuries), scoring 21 times (a number from the penalty spot), and never gave less than 100% to the cause wherever he was playing.

Enjoy your retirement!

Story on the Weymouth website http://www.theterras.co.uk/website/news_2014/04_april/Swansong%20for%20McConnell.htm