ɪn dʒuːlˈaɪ tˈuː θˈaʊzənd tˈuː, wˈæli dʒˈɔɪnd lˈiːɡ tˈuː sˈaɪd kˈɑːɹdɪf sˈɪɾi, mˌeɪkɪŋ hɪz deɪbjˈuː æɾ ˈoʊldæm æθlˈɛɾɪk ˌɔn tˈɛn ˈɔːɡəst tˈuː θˈaʊzənd tˈuː, ænd plˈeɪɪŋ ɐ fˈɜːðɚ twˈɛnti tˈuː tˈaɪmz ɪn ɐ sˈiːzən ˌɪntɚɹˈʌptᵻd baɪ ˈɪndʒɚɹi.
In July 2002, Whalley joined League Two side Cardiff City, making his debut at Oldham Athletic on 10 August 2002, and playing a further 22 times in a season interrupted by injury.