'My time will come...' Ben Whiteman says his side of Preston North End exit will be told 'one day'

Ben Whiteman has reiterated that his side of the story regarding his controversial Preston North End exit will ‘get out one day.’

Whiteman left Preston for Wrexham in a £3m summer transfer and came back to haunt his old club on Saturday, scoring from the edge of the box to put his side back ahead after Alfie Devine had levelled.

The Red Dragons went on to win 4-1, condemning Graham Alexander to a third straight defeat since taking charge.

Whiteman’s Deepdale departure became contentious when then-manager Paul Heckingbottom said the midfielder had told the the club’s hierarchy ‘he has played his last game for the club.'

Heckingbottom said it was a ‘line I didn’t want him to cross,’ while criticism also came in from Mark Lawrenson.

“Mine will get out one day”

Speaking last month, Whiteman told the That Wrexham podcast: "Stuff got obviously mentioned a lot in the media about... Sort of different bits what was said. Listen, it was never the case.

"I've got a lot of respect for everyone at Preston North End."

After Saturday’s game, he said he’d tell his story one day: “I had a fantastic time there.

“I've mentioned in a previous press conference, there's always two sides to every story.

“Mine will get out one day but there's a different... There's a time and a place for things.

“I understand the frustrations, because I'd have been frustrated if I read all that stuff in the media. Yeah, my time will come. “

Whiteman’s every touch was booed by the 1,309 travelling Preston fans, but he got the last laugh when his shot went in off the post.

The 30-year-old blew a kiss to the away end in his celebration. Speaking on his reception, he added: “They were giving me stick all game, which again is part and parcel of the game.

“I actually found it really funny, to be honest. Yeah, they can have it back.”

Phil Parkinson on Ben Whiteman’s transfer to Wrexham

Phil Parkinson also touched on Whiteman’s hostile treatment from the North End fans and the ordeal surrounding his move to Wales.

“Listen, so pleased for Ben,” he said. “That was tough for him today because first of all we came into the game on the back of a defeat and the Preston fans are obviously really on his case.

“Which, Ben's got the utmost respect for Preston and all the supporters and everybody at the club.

“He wanted a fresh challenge and told if a bid came in they'd consider it, we put a bid in, they accepted it. That's it.”

He continued: “It certainly wasn't a money thing for Ben, coming here. He was just ready at that stage of his career for a fresh challenge.

“I have to stress, he's got so much respect for everybody at Preston but he's still tough.

“When you're getting the kind of stick from the opposition fans he got today, all you can do is let your football do the talking.

“Making goals and scoring one is certainly a great way to do that.”