CALGARY – Cavalry FC announced the signing of defender Jonathan “Jay” Wheeldon on Wednesday.
A native of Plymouth, England, Wheeldon first moved to Calgary, Alberta in 2013 where his father Tommy Wheeldon Sr. (former head coach of the Calgary Storm and technical director of the Calgary Blizzard) and brother Tommy Wheeldon Jr. (current Head Coach & General Manager of Cavalry FC) were plying their trade.
Wheeldon joined the Calgary Foothills FC in 2014 and was part of their 2018 Premier Development League (PDL) Championship team.
“I have the unique privilege to sign Jay to the Cavalry as we embark on the next exciting chapter of developing the Canadian pyramid,” said Jay’s brother, Cavalry FC head coach Tommy Wheeldon Jr. “He has been pivotal in the growth of what we achieved with Calgary Foothills FC and a player who is a born leader, with an excellent technical base and high tactical understanding of the game. When he’s playing, it’s as though we have another coach on the field to Marshall the troops.”
The 30-year-old played his youth football with Exeter City and Plymouth Argyle before signing his first professional contract in 2008 with Belgium’s Royal Racing Football Club Montegnée (R.R.F.C. Montegnée). In 2011, he returned to England after being signed to Hungerford Town FC.
#WednesdayWelcome
Welcome Jay Wheeldon ⚽ ?? to Cavalry FC!
Less than 50 days till kick off!
More info here: https://t.co/4jDL2YkaNQ #CanPL #CavsFC #RideWithUs ? pic.twitter.com/layUyRZQCw— Cavalry FC (@CPLCavalryFC) March 13, 2019
“Playing professional soccer and being part of the first Canadian Premier League in your own town is exciting,” Jay Wheeldon said. “The unique experience that Spruce Meadows will create will be like anything else.”
In addition to signing with Cavalry FC, Wheeldon will continue in his role as Academy Manager with Calgary Foothills Soccer Club.