He was a really important player and was . Ill never forget it and he was such an easy guy to talk to. All Rights Reserved. I thoroughly enjoyed working with him during my time at Cardiff City. Whittingham was born in Nuneaton, Warwickshire,[4] and attended King Henry VIII School, Coventry. But it was all a test. An inquest has today heard that Cardiff City legend Peter Whittingham died last year after suffering a tragic accident while out drinking with friends at a pub. Afterward, he moved to South Wales where he has been living with his wife and son. Peter Whittingham dead: How did Peter Whittingham die? Cause of death Visit CNN.com/sport for more news, features, and videos. Former Cardiff City manager Malky Mackay said he was "deeply shocked and saddened" at the death of "an extremely gifted footballer and a great ambassador" for the club. In 2009-10, he scored 25 times in 51 games from midfield. CCTV captured Whittingham engaging in horseplay with his wifes brother and a friend when he appeared to lose his balance and walked through a fire door off-camera and fell down eight steps and hit his head. Flicking through highlights of Peter Whittinghams brilliant career, his brother James is recalling the time when the midfielder decided to hang up his boots and retire from professional football. [6][7], Whittingham began playing football as a youth player with his local side Coventry City, joining the club at the age of seven. [54] Whittingham was part of all the matches in the League Cup campaign, which eventually saw Cardiff lose 32 on penalties to Liverpool in the final at Wembley Stadium. He made one substitute appearance during the tournament, coming on late in a 22 draw with Italy. My dad answered the phone and was told to get everyone up there. 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. [52], On 30 December 2011, Mackay revealed that the club had rejected a bid, thought to be around 3million, from West Ham United for Whittingham. "When I looked more closely I could see he was not moving and something was wrong.. Match of the Day: What fans can expect as show returns this weekend. Mr Williams said: I cannot remember any of the specific events of the play fight that is captured in the CCTV footage. He underwent an emergency operation after the incident to relieve pressure on his brain while his family waited anxiously in hospital hoping he would pull through. 11:49 AM EDT, Fri March 20, 2020, Former Premier League footballer dead at 35. 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. [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. Peter Whittingham's brother James looks back on his decorated football career and the painful memories of his death in March 2020 . There was no shortage of interest from other clubs and it can be revealed that on two occasions he came very close to leaving Cardiff but was held back by the love he had for the club. He died in March 2020, as a result of an accidental fall at a pub. The latest rumours and stories from around the world of football. He didnt want to be that guy, he just wanted to play.. Amanda was pregnant with their second child when Whittingham tragically died in March 2020 after falling down a flight of stairs at a pub in Barry following a day out with friends. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. [55] Whittingham then won his second Cardiff City player of the year award at the end of the season. Whitts probably got the toughest treatment because he was one of the best, says Mikey Husbands, who played for Port Vale, before joining the Marines and now working for Network Rail. One of the reasons he stayed at Cardiff for so long was because of his wife, Amanda, who he met after relocating from the West Midlands to Wales. In January 2007, he signed for Cardiff City for a fee of 350,000. 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. "Off the field he was a measured, kind, articulate and warm-hearting man. 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. Mr Davison said: "All of us were pretty drunk at that point.". On 26 August, Whittingham signed a contract extension to keep him at the club until at least the summer of 2014. "We were blessed with his talent at Cardiff City. Nicholas Davison, a friend of Whittingham and his brother-in-law Robert Williams, said the group drank "between six and 10 pints" and had a "round of shots" at The Park pub. RIP. Is climate change killing Australian wine? [80], On 18 March 2020, South Wales Police confirmed that Whittingham was in hospital after suffering head injuries as a result of an accidental fall at a pub in Barry on 7 March. Whittingham's recall saw him moved to an unfamiliar role on the right side of midfield, but he soon settled into the role and started the majority of the remaining matches of the season, as well as being the team's top scorer (with three goals) during their FA Cup run. Try a week on us. Coronavirus Stay At Home challenge: What is it and how do you play? Whittingham then moved to Blackburn Rovers, before leaving a year later. It is with an immeasurable amount of sorrow that we must inform supporters that Peter Whittingham has passed away at the age of 35. Coroner Graeme Hughes reached a verdict of accidental death, before telling the courts: On March 7, 2020, he [Peter] attended a pub in Barry with friends and relatives. Footballer Peter Whittingham died from fall after 'play fight', inquest It was one of those moments where we spoke about life and football. [85], A tribute friendly was organised between Cardiff City and Aston Villa, which took place on 30 November 2022, during the break in both teams' respective leagues due to the 2022 FIFA World Cup. It was here he started to take the first steps on a journey that would see him score 98 career goals. During Whittingham's 10 years with the club, the Bluebirds reached the 2008 FA Cup final, 2012 League Cup final and won promotion to the Premier League in 2013. We are heartbroken," they wrote in a statement. Midfielder Peter Whittingham, 35, who played for the club from . The secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure. Former Cardiff City midfielder Peter Whittingham has died aged 35. 2023 Cable News Network. But as people started praising his football he became much more confident. Former Cardiff midfielder Peter Whittingham dies aged 35, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, 2023 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. Instead, there were other plans. Whittingham was a huge fans' favourite at Cardiff, scoring numerous spectacular long-range goals which helped earn him a place in the EFL's team of the decade for 2005-2015. He also played a key hand in helping the club win promotion to the Premier League in 2013 for the first time. 13:57, Fri, Mar 20, 2020 | UPDATED: 13:59, Fri, Mar 20, 2020. I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Peter Whittingham, Solskjaer said. appreciated. It was there they had their first child, who is nearly five years old and started school this year. Coroner Graeme Hughes recorded a verdict of accidental death at the inquest at Pontypridd Coroner's Court. He made his 250th Cardiff appearance in a 22 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion, in which he scored on 7 March. Mr Taylor said Mr Whittingham's eyes were "wide open and were almost completely white" having rolled to the back of his head. I just know he had hit his head on the small step on the stairs. Peter Whittingham died from fall after 'play fight', inquest is told Rest in Peace Peter Whittingham Didnt know him personally but have the biggest respect for his footballing ability and that wand of a left foot which scored so many free kicks which I absolutely loved watching. Obviously he had a great career, but you dont expect to have your life taken away so quickly.. "Then, as a professional footballer - as a Bluebird - he excelled with talent, ease, grace and humility. Breaking through at Villa was far from straightforward though. Video, The secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure, Explosion derails train in Russian border region, Banana artwork in Seoul museum eaten by visitor, Donald Trump arrives in Scotland on golf visit, NFL player's daughter, aged two, drowns in pool, Indian 'killer' elephant relocated to tiger reserve, Ding becomes China's first male world chess champion. He brought quality and creativity to the team and raised levels in training. He would never see his second son, who is now two years old. He was part of the Aston Villa team that won the 2001-02 FA Youth Cup, and a year later he made his Premier League debut. He was also a gentleman.. It was a trial at Villa that changed Peters fortunes, though. 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. Afterward, he walked off the corridor, distance from CCTV coverage, and used the fire exit. It helped us all become better players and stronger people. Whittingham was taken to Cardiff's University Hospital of Wales and placed on life support. The pair settled on the outskirts of Cardiff, where Amanda was originally from. He made a second statement after police showed him CCTV from the pubs corridor, in which he confirmed he is seen messing about with Pete and Ryan but still had no memory of the incident. After a successful trial, he signed for the Midlands club. When Whittingham passed there was a huge outpouring of emotion; from his family and friends, past and present team-mates and coaches, supporters and the wider footballing world. "The news of Peter's sudden and untimely passing has shaken us to our very foundation. He used to just laugh it off.. "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.". It was a wonderful career, perhaps not highlighted or praised as highly as it should have been. On 7 March 2020, Peter Whittingham joined his in-law Robert Williams and his friend Ryan Taylor at a Pub in South Wales to watch Wales v England in the Six Nations. 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. In the summer of 2012 when Southampton won promotion to the Premier League, they were prepared to significantly increase Whittinghams salary and offer him a return to the top flight. Former Premier League footballer Peter Whittingham has died at age 35 nearly two weeks after sustaining a head injury in an accidental fall at a pub, according to South Wales police. Solskjaer said: Peter was a fantastic footballer and an incredible human being. [84] The Foundation raised money for three causes; The Cardiff City FC Foundation, which aimed to support children in Cardiff through football, a sports bursary at King Henry VIII School in Coventry (Peter's old school) and Winston's Wish, a charity that supports children who have lost a parent or sibling. [74], Whittingham had his contract with Blackburn terminated by mutual consent on 31 August 2018. See today's front and back pages, download the newspaper, order back issues and use the historic Daily Express newspaper archive. [40] Whittingham earned the October Player of the Month award on 14 November 2009. He was out with his brother-in-law and a friend when the incident happened just after 21:30 GMT. Cause of death latest Peter Whittingham has passed away at the age of 35 - but how did the former footballer die? Peter Whittingham: Cardiff City legend dies aged 35 after head injury "I was the first person there and offered him my hand thinking he would just take it and he would get up on his feet. "I walked over to him to offer my hand, thinking he would just take it and I would help him back up to his feet. He also led Cardiff City to win the 2013 Championship. He took Cardiff City to the final of the FA Cup in 2008 and the League Cup final in 2012. The head injury he was suffered came as a result of a fall in a pub in Barry. Managers came and went first Jones then Malky Mackay, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Russell Slade, and Paul Trollope but Whittingham remained a constant, driving the team forward from midfield. A cultured central midfielder who played more than 400 times for Cardiff, the Nuneaton-born star spent six seasons of h [68] Cardiff missed out on the play-offs at the end of the season. [32], In the first match of the 200910 season, Whittingham converted a penalty during a 40 win over Scunthorpe United in the first ever competitive match at the Cardiff City Stadium[33] and scored in consecutive rounds of the League Cup in wins over Dagenham & Redbridge[34] and Bristol Rovers. Whittingham, 35, suffered a traumatic head injury at the Park Hotel pub in Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, on March 7, and died in hospital 11 days later after failing to regain consciousness. 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. 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 . Martin ONeills arrival at Villa had changed that outlook for Whittingham and he was allowed to move on. Peter Whittingham's effortless style and set-piece prowess made him a fans' favourite at Cardiff. [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. THE football world has been left stunned by the passing of Peter Whittingham. He was on life support for almost two weeks. Cardiff City owner Vincent Tan offered his own tribute to Whittingham. [41] On 24 April, he scored a free-kick during a 32 win over Sheffield Wednesday,[42] and the following day was named in the 200910 PFA Team of the Year for the Championship. His performances were praised by manager Dave Jones. Cardiff City retired his No 7 shirt and have continued to provide support to his family. That run saw him score in matches against Chasetown, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Middlesbrough, before Cardiff eventually lost 10 to Portsmouth in the final. Read about our approach to external linking. Updated [35] Having been appointed the first-choice penalty taker for the club, he took his league goal tally to three with goals in consecutive matches in a 31 defeat to against Sheffield Wednesday[36] followed by a 61 win over Derby County. You were one of the most technical and gifted players Ive played with and that left foot of yours was like a wand. Whittingham had loans at Championship clubs Burnley and Derby County in 2005. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. But his real success came after transferring to Welsh side Cardiff City for 350,000 ($412,000) in 2007, according to the BBC. Ryan Taylor, who was out drinking with Mr Williams and Mr Whittingham at the time said: "I dont know if there was some sort of horse play but the next thing I remember was that he fell but I don't know how he got there or how he had fallen. Whittingham sustained a head injury on March 7 2020 after going out to watch England play Wales in the Six Nations, and died 11 days later in hospital. Ex-Premier League footballer Peter Whittingham dies at age 35 - CNN Inquest into Whittingham death to be held, Russia launches pre-dawn missile attack on Ukraine, MasterChef Australia host Jock Zonfrillo dies, Air strikes pound Sudan capital as truce extended. CCTV captured Whittingham engaging in "horseplay" with his . He made more than 450 appearances for Cardiff before finishing his career at Blackburn in 2018. Hence, he lost his balance and fell off the stairs. [17] He finished the season having made 39 appearances in all competitions as a left-sided midfielder, including playing six times in the club's League Cup run where they reached the semi-final before losing to Bolton Wanderers,[15][18] a match in which Whittingham was later branded a "scapegoat" for his side's defeat. This has led to a traumatic head injury.. [53] Following a goal scoring drought, Whittingham scored a penalty against Leicester in February and then scored straight from a corner against Peterborough. Former Cardiff City midfielder Peter Whittingham died from fall - ITVX If his children grow up to like football then it wont be long before they learn just how talented their father was. During a period of horseplay with a friend and relative he appears to have lost his balance and gone through or caused to open the fire door, fallen, and his head has come into contact with the steps.. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. 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. His brother had been playing in the club's youth sides and Whittingham had been noticed playing on the side of pitch by one of the club's scouts. The death of former Aston Villa and Cardiff City star, Peter Whittingham was subjected to a coroner inquest recently and the argument was that the death of the former England under-21 star was an accident.. On 7 March 2020, Peter Whittingham joined his in-law Robert Williams and his friend Ryan Taylor at a Pub in South Wales to watch Wales v England in the Six Nations. He said: "I have been profoundly saddened by yesterday's terrible news. Peter Whittingham's pub stairs fall death 'accidental' - BBC News Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer this morning described Sue Gray as a woman with a "formidable reputation" as he faces pressure to explain the circumstances of her job offer. He always appeared far too good for the Championship. Golf became his new passion. When Mackay, the Cardiff manager at the time, reminded Whittingham of his importance in the team, he agreed to stay and help Cardiff fight for their own promotion a year later. I will forever be grateful for you taking me under your wing, he said on Instagram. Peter left behind his wife, Amanda, his son, William, and another little boy, Seb, who was born two months after his father's death. At his funeral shortly after his passing, only five family members were able to attend the socially-distanced ceremony due to regulations enforced around the COVID pandemic. He has an older brother named James who works as an investment banker for Goldman Sachs. "Whits: You left great memories with so many people you came into contact with and you will be sorely missed. The former footballer suffered a series of trauma due to the fall and on the 11th day at the hospital, the medical personnel couldnt manage the situation anymore which led to his death.

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