Born in Ndola, Zambia to a Zambian mother and Northern Irish father, Whitley originally wished to become a golfer.
[1] While at the school he became friends with future Wales international Robbie Savage who helped encourage his interest in football.
[5] Whitley returned to the side to make 10 appearances during the 2005–06 season, but the knee injury quickly resurfaced and at the end of the season Wrexham decided not to offer Whitley an extension to his contract after undergoing three knee operations and making just 24 appearances in his final two years at the side.
[6] In 2016, Jim Whitley agreed to make a surprise appearance to round off his career by playing for Brickfield Rangers against Droylsden FC after Sporting Director Andrew Ruscoe tracked Jim down to ask him would he play for the club one last time, the club where it all began all those years ago.
[8] In October 2022, Whitley was appointed manager of the under-18s team of Macclesfield whose Director of Football was childhood friend Robbie Savage.