wˈæli bɪɡˈæn hɪz fˈʊtbɔːl kɚɹˈɪɹ æt kɹˈuː ˌælɪɡzˈændɹə, mˌeɪkɪŋ hɪz klˈʌb deɪbjˈuː ɪn ɐ fˈoːɹ wˈʌn lˈiːɡ kˈʌp fˈɜːst ɹˈaʊnd wˈɪn ˌoʊvɚ ɹˈɑːtʃdeɪl æt ɡɹˈɛsti ɹˈoʊd ˌɔn ˈeɪtiːn ˈɔːɡəst nˈaɪntiːnhˈʌndɹɪd nˈaɪnti tˈuː.
Whalley began his football career at Crewe Alexandra, making his club debut in a 4–1 League Cup first round win over Rochdale at Gresty Road on 18 August 1992.