Played from the mid sixties through to the mid seventies for the Airdronians where he built a reputation for solid, reliable play and ended up captain of the side playing in the 1974/75 Scottish Cup Final against Celtic at Hampden Park played in front of a crowd of 75,000.
Pictured below on the cover of the Airdrie match program on 28th September 1968.
The following are clips from Airdrie match programs over the years:
'When Hibs allowed Derek to go "free" Airdrie could hardly believe their luck and no time was lost in putting him on a form. Their judgment has again proved right and last season he played a very important part in the success of the club in a season where they were always there or there abouts and not fighting to avoid relegation. Possibly the highlight of his season was the goal he scored to put Hibs (his old club) out of the Scottish Cup. Has a brother with Motherwell and his father was a prominent player with. Stirling Albion.' Dundee v Airdrieonians - Saturday, 17th August 1968
'Sammy Goodwin is a half back with a flair for attack and former Hibernian defender Derek Whiteford feels thoroughly at home at centre half after moving from Edinburgh last year.' Heart of Midlothian v Airdrieonians - Saturday, 24th August 1968
Interesting to note that this program lists two Whitefords playing for Airdrie, Whiteford (D) - presumeably Derek but also Whiteford (J) - John, but think this is Derek's cousin? Falkirk v Airdrieonians - Saturday, 14th September 1968
'Derek Whiteford, scorer of the goal that gave Hibs the Scottish Cup k.o. this year, was, of course, an Easter Road player for a few seasons. This big strong half-back is exceptionally handy in the goal area where his height gives him an advantage in jumping for high crosses.' Hibernian v Airdrieonians - Saturday, 5th October 1968
'Wing-half DEREK WHITEFORD is an example of a free transfer man making good at a second attempt. Derek was " freed " by Hibs, and thanked them by scoring the goal that put the Easter Road boys out of the Scottish Cup last year. His brother, David, plays for Motherwell.' Dundee United v Airdrieonians - Saturday, 19th October 1968
'DEREK WHITEFORD-Left-half. 6 ft., 11 st. 7 lbs. Was a full-back with Hibernian, but on going to Broomfield from Easter Road in 1967, was tried out in the half-back line with immediate success. Can move into the attack as an auxiliary forward and adapt the role of marksman, as he demonstrated against Dunfermline. Athletic last Saturday, moving in to head the equaliser.' Rangers v Airdrieonians - Saturday, 30th November 1968
'The key men in the Airdrie side are skipper Derek Whiteford, whose skill in the air and powerful shooting have caused problems to the Paisley defence in previous games and keeper Dave McWilliams, the former Johnstone Burgh player, who had an excellent game at Broomfield.' Stirling Albion v Airdrieonians - Saturday, 24th August 1974
'Inspired by the driving force of Whiteford, they made an all-out effort from the kick-off. They put in the hard graft, running well off the ball. With six players ready and willing to have a go, the finishing was needle sharp.....Reynolds and Wilson, ably assisted by Jonquin and Lapsley, kept up the barrage and in the penalty box Whiteford was a dominating figure as he won nearly everything in the air.' Airdrieonians v Dundee - Saturday, 31st August 1974
'Derek Whiteford, the tall respected captain of Airdrie. Originally signed as a centre-half from Hibs, schoolmaster Derek has developed into a most useful mid field player for the club - industrious, forceful and no mean goal snatcher!' Motherwell v Airdrieonians - Saturday, 7th September 1974
'DEREK WHITEFORD was signed from Hibs seven years ago, and his enthusiasm an and hard shooting brought him 19 goals last season, and made him the club's second top scorer behind ALLY McROBERTS, another ever-present in the championship run. McRoberts has been kept out of action with a nasty leg injury. Another prolific scorer was RAY FRANCHETTI, a Celtic cast-off, while one of the main chance-makers was winger BILLY WI LSON, at home on left or right.' Aberdeen v Airdrieonians, 28th September 1974
During the 1977/78 off-season Derek moved to Dumbarton
In the 1979-80 season Derek played for Falkirk, racking-up 11 League appearences and scoring twice.
Soccer Management
Sometime manager or Airdrie from 1st August 1985 through to 31st May 1987, in later years has pursued his teaching career.
