Frankie began his career through the youth ranks at Middlesbrough F.C., joining as an under‑15 and developing at the club during his formative years.  Whelan is described as a “ball‑playing centre‑half” with an eye for a pass and a strong physical presence in the heart of defence. He brings composure and reading of the game, useful for building from the back and handling the demands of senior men’s football. Atter his time at Middlesbrough he made the move to Whitby Town ahead of the 2024‑25 season following his release and quickly became integrated into the first‑team set‑up. In his debut season (2024‑25) he made 34 appearances and scored his first goal in a 4‑1 win over Mickleover F.C. with a close‑range header. His teammates recognised his impact: he was voted the Players’ Player of the Season for that campaign.

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