in a playing career spanning 20 years (1978–1998), whitton made more than 450 league appearances. he played in the football league and premier league in england, the swedish allsvenskan and the hong kong first division league. after being forced to retire with injury he became assistant manager at colchester united under steve wignall and his successor mick wadsworth. he went on to manage the team after wadsworth resigned just weeks before the start of the season. he continued as manager until he left by mutual consent in early 2003.