At 17 he signed professional forms for Wolverhampton Wanderers, but was unable to break through to the first team, and in 1970 moved back home to join Darlington in the Fourth Division.
He kept his place as first choice goalkeeper, despite competition from promising youngster Tony Coton, and played more than 100 games before a difference of views with new manager Ron Saunders saw him out of contention.
[5][6] He joined Manchester United as cover for Gary Bailey, initially on loan, in 1983, and was an unused substitute in the 1983 FA Charity Shield, but a recurring back injury restricted his chances.
[4][7] Wealands' first season at Altrincham brought considerable success, culminating in a trip to Wembley where the club beat Runcorn 1–0 to win the 1985–86 FA Trophy.
Wealands helped his new club become only the second non-league team to eliminate top-flight opponents on their own ground when they won 2–1,[8][6] a result which gave the player considerable personal satisfaction,[9] and which was followed two days later by Saunders' resignation.