I had so much respect for him.. [7][9], Whittingham signed with Aston Villa in April 2001 and was part of the club's FA Youth Cup-winning team of 2002. Discovery Company. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Coasting through his latter years and picking up his paycheck was not for him. 2023 Cable News Network. Peter Whittingham's brother on his heartbreak: 'It's still so hard Whittinghams former club, Cardiff City, expressed heartbreak in a statement on its website. [31] However, he returned to the team ahead of schedule, coming on as a late substitute during a 11 draw with Reading on 26 December. Whittingham had loans at Championship clubs Burnley and Derby County in 2005. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. [43], Following the loan arrival of Craig Bellamy, Whittingham started the 201011 season in a new central midfield role. The ex-Aston Villa player had been in hospital for more than a week after suffering a head injury in a fall in a pub in Barry. Our love goes out to his wife Amanda, their young son and family. We love you Pete and your memory will eternally stay with us., READ: Borussia Monchengladbach players offer to give up their salaries. [56] He was later named in the PFA Team of the Year for the Championship. Unfortunately for Peter Whittingham, he fell and hit his head on the ground. My thoughts and prayers go out to your family, rest in peace Whitts was too young, Whittingham played under current Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in 2014, and the Norwegian called him an incredible human being.. For more information and to buy tickets for the game, visit here. The memorial match will give those who knew him well the chance to properly celebrate his life and career that started at Coventry City before he moved to Aston Villa in 2001 aged 16, and broke into the first team alongside Liam Ridgewell and Steven Davis. He was so, so shy. 2023 BBC. [47] Whittingham scored a fantastic volley against Barnsley on 13 March, which ended up being voted Football League Goal of the Year award for 2011. He continued his scoring form with a brace against Watford[37] and goals against Crystal Palace[38] and Coventry City[39] followed by a hat-trick against Sheffield United. Peter Whittingham's effortless style and set-piece prowess made him a fans' favourite at Cardiff. Whittingham then moved to Blackburn Rovers, before leaving a year later. 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After a drop in form, Whittingham was left out of the team towards the close of the season, but managed his eighth and final goal of the campaign with a last-minute penalty at home to Blackburn Rovers on 1 April. He certainly wasnt scared of retirement, James says. [64] Despite a disappointing campaign for the Bluebirds, who finished in 11th, their lowest finish in 8 years, Whittingham was selected in The Football Manager Team of the Decade at the Football League Awards, on 19 April. He took Cardiff City to the final of the FA Cup in 2008 and the League Cup final in 2012. [57], During the close season, more speculation about Whittingham's future in the Welsh capital arose, this time from Premier League club West Bromwich Albion. [27] He quickly established himself in the team and was a first-team member until the end of the year, despite competition from Joe Ledley on the left-hand side. Whittingham is congratulated by Rickie Lambert after scoring a free kick against Sheffield Wednesday. [61] Whittingham scored his first Premier League goal in nine years against Hull City. My dad answered the phone and was told to get everyone up there. CCTV captured Whittingham engaging in "horseplay" with the pair in a corridor, before he appeared to lose his balance and walked through a fire door off-camera and fell down eight steps and . "Peter helped inspire a generation of young Cardiff City fans and will continue to do so. Peter Whittingham: Cardiff City legend dies aged 35 after head injury Footballer Peter Whittingham died from fall after 'play fight', inquest Coronavirus Stay At Home challenge: What is it and how do you play? Peter Whittingham's wife speaks publicly for the first time in moving Try a week on us. He said: "During a period of horseplay with a friend and a relative he appeared to have lost his balance, travelled through or caused to open the fire door, fallen, and as he did so his head has come into contact with the steps. VideoThe secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure, LGBT troops take love for Eurovision to front line, Why an Indian comedian is challenging fake news rules. 11:49 AM EDT, Fri March 20, 2020, Former Premier League footballer dead at 35. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much In his 10 years at the club, Whittingham became a firm fan favorite, making 456 appearances and scored 96 goals including 25 goals in one season from midfield. The former Cardiff City midfielder Peter Whittingham died after falling down stairs at a pub following a drunken "play fight" with friends, an inquest has been told. Robert Williams, Mr Whittingham's brother-in-law, told Pontypridd Coroner's Court they had been drinking lager, bitter and tequila through the afternoon and evening along with friend Ryan Taylor, and the evening was a "blackout" in his memory. Peter Michael Whittingham (/ hw t m /; 8 September 1984 - 18 March 2020) was an English professional footballer.His primary position was as a central midfielder, although he operated as a winger on both the left and right, as well as a second-striker.. Heartfelt tributes have been paid to Cardiff City legend Peter Whittingham after he tragically passed away at the age of 35.. Taylor was a good coach for Whittingham. [13], Taylor was replaced by David O'Leary ahead of the 200304 season, with the Irishman being quick to praise Whittingham's potential. As he grew in confidence, so did his stature in the team. [6][7], Whittingham began playing football as a youth player with his local side Coventry City, joining the club at the age of seven. Look how many players from that group turned pro.. He suffered a traumatic head injury and died in hospital 11 days later after failing to regain consciousness. Peter Whittingham, a former Premier League soccer player from England, has died nearly two weeks after sustaining a serious head injury, South Wales Police confirmed this week. The Coroner said: Mr. Whittingham had consumed a quantity of alcohol that has likely impacted on his demeanor and steadiness before he fell. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express. However, he couldnt establish himself at Aston Villa and had to move to Cardiff City for a transfer fee worth 350,000. When I looked more closely at Peter, I could see he wasnt moving and something was wrong, he told the court. Peter Whittingham's pub stairs fall death 'accidental' - BBC News Hudson told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast: "It's devastating. To have also created so many lasting memories just look at the goals montage below is also special. Thoughts are with his family and friends pic.twitter.com/VnbPieSlrX. "They are at the forefront of our thoughts and, on their behalf, we ask for their privacy to be respected at this unfathomably cruel and difficult time. He always remained quiet but became famous for his one-liners. Express. He made his 250th Cardiff appearance in a 22 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion, in which he scored on 7 March. For me he would be up there with the best Cardiff City player. He was a real student of the game and I used to say to him that he should write a book about tactics, formations and ways to beat opposition teams, James says. Its hard to believe that he has been taken from us at such a young age.. Wittingham started his career with Aston Villa before joining Cardiff in 2007. In 2007-08, the midfielder was influential in Cardiffs run to the FA Cup final, eventually won by Portsmouth. He died in March 2020, as a result of an accidental fall at a pub. They are all in my thoughts at this time.". Our love goes out to his wife Amanda, their young son and family. After the hearing, Coroner Graeme Hughes concluded that the former Cardiff City center-midfielder was not murdered but died by accident. In 2011, he won the Football League goal of the season with a stunning volley in a game against Barnsley. "There was an amazing period for Cardiff and him. Peter was a fantastic footballer and an incredible human being. [23] Whittingham started all nine matches of his loan spell, seven in the league and two in the FA Cup,[19] before returning to Villa in late-March, despite Cotterill's hopes of extending the deal. [16] After the match, O'Leary commented "Ive had a good feeling about Peter". "The thoughts . [62] Despite the bright start, Cardiff were eventually relegated after just one season. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. His four goals in five matches led to Whittingham being nominated for the November Championship Player of the Month. I played in front of him for the whole time, says Foley. He used to just laugh it off.. At Villa, it was me and Whitts down the left. First and foremost, Peter was a family man and somebody who could light up a room with his sense of humour, warmth and personality. Whittingham: 'He played football and that was him talking. No words The ex-Premier League footballer and Bristol Rovers manager sits down for a candid chat, Louis Theroux chats to Gabriel Gatehouse about the Capitol riots, QAnon and conspiracy theories, Dr Bob Nicholson examines the seven men who attempted to kill Queen Victoria, Steve Coogan chats to Nihal Arthanayake about British humour and cancel culture, Obituary: 'A magical left foot and a gentle soul'. Peter Whittingham died in March 2020 after spending 11 days in hospital, Former Aston Villa player Peter Whittingham died with head injuries after suffering a fall, Peter Whittingham spent 10 years at Cardiff, racking up 413 league appearances. His loyalty would also become one of the main reasons why the fans loved him. Peter Whittingham dead: Find out how the former Cardiff star died, Peter Whittingham started out at Aston Villa, Peter Whittingham tributes: Football world pays respects, Peter Whittingham dead: Man Utd boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer pays tribute, Peter Whittingham became a club legend at Cardiff City, Peter Whittingham dead: Former Cardiff and Aston Villa midfielder dead, Coronavirus in football: List of confirmed cases, Sports documentaries available on Amazon Prime amid coronavirus crisis. Whittinghams brother-in-law Robert Williams said the pair and friend Ryan Taylor had been drinking lager, bitter and tequila during the afternoon and evening. His goals, so many from outside the box, curling into the top corner, struck with venom, often on the volley and perfectly placed, made him a hero. [53] Following a goal scoring drought, Whittingham scored a penalty against Leicester in February and then scored straight from a corner against Peterborough. During the coroners inquest into the cause of his death at Pontypridd Coroners Court in Wales, Peter Whittinghams in-law confirmed to the court that he and the ex-footballer drank for hours before he fell off the stairs at the Pub. The game will also be used to officially launch the PW7 Foundation established in memory of the midfielder, but also to provide his sons with a tangible legacy for their father. [49], Despite the links with a move away from the Welsh capital, new Cardiff boss, Malky Mackay insisted that Whittingham was central to his plans. [75], Whittingham was an England under-21 international, making his debut against the Netherlands in 2004[76] and was part of the squad that competed in the 2007 UEFA European Under-21 Championship held in the Netherlands. It was there they had their first child, who is nearly five years old and started school this year. In February, Whittingham was nominated for the Championship Player of the Year award. [14] After featuring regularly during the early stages of the campaign,[15] he scored his first senior goal against Wycombe Wanderers in the League Cup third round on 23 September 2003, during a 50 win at Adams Park. Solskjaer said: Peter was a fantastic footballer and an incredible human being. CCTV captured Whittingham engaging in horseplay with the pair in a corridor, before he appeared to lose his balance and walked through a fire door off-camera and fell down eight steps and hit his head just after 9.30pm. Most populous nation: Should India rejoice or panic? The coroners court in Pontypridd, south Wales, heard the former England Under-21 international had gone drinking with his wifes brother and a friend to watch last years England v Wales Six Nations match. We are heartbroken," they wrote in a statement. It is with this in mind that a memorial match has been set up between Cardiff City and Aston Villa, his first professional club, at the Cardiff City Stadium on November 30. "First and foremost, Peter was a family man - and somebody who could light up a room with his sense of humour, warmth and personality," Cardiff's statement added. Peter Whittinghams wife, Amanda told the court that his late husband left the house in a hurry to catch up with the rugby game involving Wales and England. [65], Cardiff rejected two bids from unnamed clubs for Whittingham in the summer of 2015 and he was described as the club's kingpin, by manager Russell Slade. He wasnt as interested in the long away days if he wasnt going to play. "I was 36 at Cardiff and he was young but we still had a really good bond when we played together. He was taken to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff but his condition deteriorated and he died on 18 March. Whittingham was taken to Cardiff's University Hospital of Wales and placed on life support. A fitting legacy for a special player and a true Cardiff great. That run saw him score in matches against Chasetown, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Middlesbrough, before Cardiff eventually lost 10 to Portsmouth in the final. Explore in 3D: The dazzling crown that makes a king. Previously he spent over a decade at the Birmingham Mail covering West Midlands football. Former Cardiff City midfielder Peter Whittingham died after falling down stairs at a pub following a drunken "play fight" with friends, an inquest has been told. This has led to a traumatic head injury.. He died at University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, police said. [18], The following season, Whittingham began the campaign as a regular substitute and scored his only league goal for Villa on 6 November 2004, opening a 30 win over Portsmouth at Villa Park. A cultured central midfielder who played more than 400 times for Cardiff, the Nuneaton-born star spent six seasons of h He was out with his brother-in-law and a friend when the incident happened just after 21:30 GMT. Former Cardiff City midfielder Peter Whittingham sustained a traumatic head injury at the Park Hotel pub on March 7, 2020, and was taken to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff following the fall, but his condition depleted resulting in his demise on March 18, 2020. The pair settled on the outskirts of Cardiff, where Amanda was originally from. A cultured central midfielder who played more than 400 times for Cardiff, the Nuneaton-born star spent six seasons of h He always appeared far too good for the Championship. The secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure. In 2009-10, he scored 25 times in 51 games from midfield. That every manager he played for kept him in the team and encouraged the club to reward him with a competitive salary also spoke volumes. He was a really important player and was . [30] He ruptured ankle ligaments during a 21 win over Crystal Palace on 15 November, which was expected to keep him out for up to three months. He joined Cardiff for 350,000 in 2007 and established himself as a club legend with 459 appearances and 98 goals before leaving in 2017. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. "We were blessed with his talent at Cardiff City. Whittingham, 35, suffered . He said: "I have been profoundly saddened by yesterday's terrible news. Aaron Ramsey, Juventus and Wales midfielder, came through Cardiffs academy while Whittingham was playing at the club, and paid his respects to his former teammate.
