Born in Liverpool, Lancashire, Wellings started his career with Everton as an apprentice in their youth system, before signing a professional contract in June 1976.[1] After spending two seasons playing in the reserve team as cover for Bob Latchford and Duncan McKenzie, he joined Fourth Division team York City in June 1978.[2] Making his debut in a 3–0 away defeat at Barnsley on 2 September 1978, Wellings scored his first goal for York with the winner in a 2–1 victory away to Doncaster Rovers on 18 November.[3] He finished his first season at the club with four goals from 20 appearances,[3] before scoring seven goals in 35 matches in the 1979–80 season.[4]
Wellings failed to score enough goals for York to warrant a regular place in the team, meaning he moved to fellow Fourth Division club Rochdale in July 1980.[2] He made his debut in a 2–2 away draw with Stockport County on 16 August 1980, before scoring his first goal in a 2–2 draw away to Peterborough United on 13 September.[5] He finished his first season with Rochdale as top scorer with 14 goals, and was ever-present in the team, appearing in all 49 of the team's fixtures.[5] Wellings was ever-present with Rochdale for a second successive season, making 51 appearances, in which he scored 12 goals.[6]
Having scored eight goals in 29 appearances for Rochdale during the 1982–83 season,[7] Wellings signed for Fourth Division rivals Tranmere Rovers in February 1983.[1] His debut came in a home match against Northampton Town on 19 February 1983, in which he scored the winning goal of a 2–1 win.[8] He scored three goals in 16 appearances for Tranmere before the end of the season.[8] Wellings dropped into non-League football with Northwich Victoria of the Alliance Premier League, scoring one goal in 17 appearances in the 1983–84 season, before returning to Tranmere on non-contract terms in December 1983.[2][9] He made his second debut for the club in a 1–1 away draw with York on 27 December 1983, making nine appearances before the end of the season.[10]
1234Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2005). The PFA Premier & Football League Players' Records 1946–2005. Queen Anne Press. p.647. ISBN978-1-85291-665-7.
123456Jarred, Martin; Windross, Dave (1997). Citizens and Minstermen, A Who's Who of York City FC 1922–1997. Citizen Publications. p.110. ISBN978-0-9531005-0-7.
123Batters, Dave (2008). York City: The Complete Record. Breedon Books. pp.350–351. ISBN978-1-85983-633-0.
12Batters. York City: The Complete Record. pp.352–353.
123Rollin, Jack, ed. (1980). Rothmans Football Yearbook 1981–82. Queen Anne Press. pp.298–299, 430–432, 466. ISBN0-362-02046-9.
12Rollin, Jack, ed. (1982). Rothmans Football Yearbook 1982–83. Queen Anne Press. pp.314–315, 445–448, 468–470. ISBN978-0-356-07888-5.
12Williams, Tony, ed. (1983). Rothmans Football Yearbook 1983–84. Queen Anne Press. pp.308–309, 502–510, 536. ISBN978-0-356-09727-5.
123Williams (ed.). Rothmans Football Yearbook 1983–84. pp.368–369.
12Harman, John (2005). Alliance to Conference 1979–2004: The First 25 Years. Tony Williams Publications. pp.499, 509. ISBN978-1-869833-52-7.
12Dunk, Peter, ed. (1984). Rothmans Football Yearbook 1984–85. Queen Anne Press. pp.366–367. ISBN978-0-356-10446-1.
↑Brown, Neil. "Barry Wellings". Post War English & Scottish Football League A – Z Player's database. Retrieved 2 November 2012.
123Dunk, Peter, ed. (1985). Rothmans Football Yearbook 1985–86. Queen Anne Press. pp.350–351. ISBN978-0-356-10872-8.