Signed by: Paul Jewell
From: Dario Gradi (Crewe)
Cost: £600,000

Jewell ended Bradford's long hunt for the talented Crewe midfielder when he signed Whalley in a £750,000 double swoop along with Ashley Westwood. Previously Chris Kamara had bid £1m on deadline day 1997. Gareth Whalley is a product of the famed Dario Gradi Crewe production line.

During the close season of 1997 Gareth went on a tour of Norway with Spurs but was rejected by manager Gerry Francis as too lightweight. Crewe have also fielded offers from Blackburn (Dec 1996: £800,000), Liverpool (Feb 1997: £1.5m) before City got him.

Gareth is an excellent creative midfielder with an eye for quality passes. He provides a creative spark that can unlock defences.

Midfielder
Born: Manchester, 19/12/73
Height: 5' 10"
Weight: 11' 00"
Previous clubs: Crewe.