David John Wheeler (born 4 October 1990) is an English former professional footballer who played for English Football League clubs Exeter City, Queens Park Rangers, Portsmouth, Milton Keynes Dons, Wycombe Wanderers and Shrewsbury Town.
Club career Lewes Wheeler started his career at Lewes making his first start in the Conference Premier 2008–09 season against Torquay United. He scored his first senior goal against Altrincham, scored eight times the following season and four in his final season.
Staines Town On 26 June 2011, due to travel commitments associated with his studies at Brunel University, Wheeler left Lewes and signed with Staines Town of the Conference South as it was the closest club to the campus.Wheeler leaves Lewes; The Argus, 26 June 2011 He made his Staines debut on 13 August, and scored his first goals for the club on the 29th, in a 2–1 home win against Boreham Wood.Staines Town vs. Boreham Wood 2–1; Global Sports Media, 29 August 2011 He finished the season with 9 goals, and was awarded both the Players Player and Club Player of the year awards. The following season, Wheeler scored a career-best 14 goals, which helped the club to avoid relegation, and repeated his achievements of the previous season by picking up both awards in the end of season honours. Wheeler was also captain of the team for the majority of his second season at the club.
Exeter City On 2 August 2013, Wheeler signed a deal with Exeter City of Football League Two, after impressing on a trial.Wheeler deal done; Exeter City, 2 August 2013 He made his professional debut a day later, in a 2–1 home win against Bristol Rovers.Exeter 2–1 Bristol Rovers; BBC Sport, 3 August 2013 On 30 November 2013 Wheeler scored his first professional goal in a 2–2 draw against Bury. In the 2016–17 season, Wheeler played a pivotal role in helping Exeter City reach a League Two play-off final, by scoring 13 league goals and 20 goals in all competitions for City. Wheeler was awarded as the Exeter City Player of the Year for this season.
Queens Park Rangers On 31 August 2017, Wheeler signed for Queens Park Rangers for an undisclosed fee on a three-year deal. Wheeler scored his first QPR goal in his first start for the club, opening the scoring in a 3–2 defeat to Middlesbrough.
On 7 August 2018, Wheeler joined League One club Portsmouth on a season-long loan deal. He scored his first goal for Portsmouth in a 4–0 EFL Trophy win over Gillingham on 4 September 2018. QPR recalled Wheeler from his loan spell on 24 January 2019, he made a total of 18 appearances for Portsmouth in all competitions. The following day, Wheeler joined League Two club Milton Keynes Dons on loan for the remainder of the 2018–19 season, reuniting with his former manager at Exeter City, Paul Tisdale.
Wycombe Wanderers Wheeler signed for Wycombe Wanderers on 30 July 2019. It was a free transfer on a three-year deal. On 26 January 2023, Wheeler published an article saying football should become less reliant on sponsorship and advertising from betting companies.
On 5 February 2025, Wheeler was announced to have departed the club, his contract having been terminated by mutual consent prior to the transfer deadline to allow him to join a new club.
Shrewsbury Town On 20 February 2025, Wheeler joined League One side Shrewsbury Town on a short-term contract until the end of the season, reuniting with former-Wycombe Wanderers manager Gareth Ainsworth.
On 7 May 2025, Shrewsbury announced the player would be leaving the club in June when his contract expired.
International career In 2008–09, Wheeler made eight appearances for the England U18 Schoolboys.ESFA Under 18 Squad 2008–2009 ; ESFA.co.uk, 13 November 2010
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsLewes2008–09Conference National191———1912009–10Conference South388———3882010–11Conference South314———314Total8813———8813Staines Town2011–12Conference South299———2992012–13Conference South4114———4114Total7023———7023Exeter City2013–14League Two3531010103832014–15League Two4571010004772015–16League Two3163022203882016–17League Two381710205446212017–18League Two20—000020Total1513360628417138Queens Park Rangers2017–18Championship910000—912018–19Championship00———00Total910000—91Portsmouth (loan)2018–19League One110211042183Milton Keynes Dons (loan)2018–19League Two194———194Wycombe Wanderers2019–20League One3132010513942020–21Championship3832010—4132021–22League One3022010403722022–23League One3771000103972023–24League One3231010704132024–25League One50301030120Total173181105020120919Shrewsbury Town2024–25League One100———100Career total53192191122327594102
Honours Milton Keynes Dons EFL League Two third-place promotion: 2018–19
Wycombe Wanderers EFL League One play-offs: 2020 EFL Trophy runner-up: 2023–24
Individual Staines Town Player of the Year: 2011–12, 2012–13 Exeter City Player of the Year: 2016–17
References
External links
David Wheeler player profile at Exeter City Aylesbury United player profile