Simon Whaley is a versatile attacking player who is predominantly recognised as a right winger whilst turning out for the Lilywhites, but he has also performed for the club on the left flank, up front, and as an advanced central midfielder.

Signed from Bury in January 2006, Whaley followed in the footsteps of former Shakers team mate David Nugent in making the move west within the Lancashire county palatine. The duo had played together at youth, reserve and first team level before Nugent made the move 12 months earlier. Whaley signed a four-and-a-half year deal costing North End an initial fee of £250,000, which could eventually rise to £300,000.

The 20-year-old made 85 appearances for the Shakers, since his debut in October 2002, scoring 11 goals, before making his PNE debut in the league match against Millwall on January 14^th 2006, coming on as a second half substitute to replace Brian Stock.

After a further 17 appearances and three goals in that debut Deepdale season, Whaley's first full campaign in 2006/07 was his most prolific to date, grabbing the headlines - and attention from bigger clubs - after initially leading the scoring charts in the early stages of the season and eventually ending with seven goals in 33 starts.

Whaley continued to add to his growing reputation with a number of eye catching performances on both wings in 2007/08, contributing some vital goals in the successful battle against relegation - including a memorable winner in the derby game against Burnley in December - but 2008/09 has proved to be a mixed bag for the player.

His season started brilliantly with an opening day goal at Ipswich after being selected to partner Neil Mellor up front, but he fell out of favour after starting the game against Sheffield Wednesday during the opening month, and spent a month on loan at Barnsley towards the end of the 2008 calendar year.

Injury hampered his short stint at Oakwell, but he returned to fight for his place at Deepdale, and was rewarded with a return to the starting line-up for the games against Ipswich and Nottingham Forest in February and March respectively.