I really cannot remember anything much of what happened.. Peter Whittingham: Former Blackburn Rovers footballer died from fall 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. James, who has since carved out a successful career as a director in investment banking, would go on to achieve an Oxford University Blue (the highest honour granted to an individual sports person at the university)in rugby and represented England Students in 2004-05. 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. Heartfelt tributes have been paid to Cardiff City legend Peter Whittingham after he tragically passed away at the age of 35.. He became hooked and was keen to improve and bring his handicap down. By mid-November Cardiff found themselves just above the relegation zone; this prompted a minor reshuffle from boss Dave Jones that involved Chris Gunter and Whittingham returning to the starting line-up. What Whittingham was really looking forward to, though, was family time and fatherhood. Something went wrong, please try again later. Peter Whittingham Obituary (2009) - Fort Lauderdale, FL - Sun-Sentinel His understanding of football was really high., Ben Turner, who Whittingham won promotion to the Premier League alongside in 2014, says: Whitts was the same laid-back guy, no matter who you were playing, where you were playing. 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. Former Cardiff midfielder fell down stairs at a pub last March, Inquest hears he was drinking with brother-in-law and friend. Coronavirus Stay At Home challenge: What is it and how do you play? He was so young. There were also discussions with staff at Cardiff about returning as a coach. 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. What was Peter Whittingham's cause of death and how old was he? [55] Whittingham then won his second Cardiff City player of the year award at the end of the season. Obviously he had a great career, but you dont expect to have your life taken away so quickly.. Peter Whittingham ended his football career at Blackburn in 2018 after he and the club agreed that his contract should be terminated. Nevertheless, he was named Villa's young player of the season for the campaign. Taylor said he recalled people wanting to take photographs with Whittingham in the pub corridor, which led to steps taking guests to an external smoking area, but also said he had no memory of play fighting or Whittingham falling before he noticed him on the ground. (Photos: Getty Images; design: Sam Richardson). Peter Whittingham's pub stairs fall death 'accidental' - BBC News Im proud to have played alongside you and will always remember the young vs old games and you just running the show. CCTV captured Whittingham engaging in "horseplay" in a corridor, before he appeared to lose his balance, walk through a fire door off-camera and fall down eight steps and hit his head. 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. The loss of Peter will be painfully felt by our city, supporters and indeed all who ever had the pleasure of knowing him. After leaving the Welsh capital in 2017, he spent a season at Blackburn Rovers before retiring in 2018. I was back home (in the Midlands) at the time from Durham University, so playing Newcastle was useful because we all stayed at mine!. The head injury he was suffered came as a result of a fall in a pub in Barry. [13], Taylor was replaced by David O'Leary ahead of the 200304 season, with the Irishman being quick to praise Whittingham's potential. It was a trial at Villa that changed Peters fortunes, though. By Andy Wilson. "Then, as a professional footballer - as a Bluebird - he excelled with talent, ease, grace and humility. [43], Following the loan arrival of Craig Bellamy, Whittingham started the 201011 season in a new central midfield role. [80], In the immediate aftermath of Whittingham's death tributes were paid across the football world, including Whittingham's former clubs Aston Villa, Cardiff City and Blackburn Rovers along with players such as Elliott Bennett and Mark Bright. [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. "Not only were you a great player and professional you were an amazing human, City loves you more than you know.". But Peter wouldnt want us to mope around so we have to soldier on.. 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. "First and foremost, Peter was a family man - and somebody who could light up a room with his sense of humour, warmth and personality. [25], On 11 January 2007, after making just five appearances for Villa since the end of his loan spell with Derby more than a year previously, Whittingham was transferred to Cardiff City for a reported fee of 350,000. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. Footballer Peter Whittingham fell and died after 'play fight', inquest He was named three times in the Championship's PFA Team of the Year, and his 20-goal haul in the 200910 season made him the division's top scorer. 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. [71], On 13 June 2017, Whittingham joined newly relegated League One club Blackburn Rovers on a two-year contract effective from the expiration of his Cardiff contract in July. "There was an amazing period for Cardiff and him. You talk about players you've played with - he's the first player I talk about, his quality. [45] However, he did take and score Cardiff's next penalty against Coventry City in a 21 win[46] which added to his first two goals of the season scored from a brace of free kicks scored against Bristol City three days previously. An inquest today heard that former Cardiff City star Peter Whittingham fell down a flight of stairs after engaging in 'horse play' on the night he died in March 2020, For the latest from the pitch sign up for our football newsletter. Some people might say that he stopped playing a little early (aged 35) but he had played a lot of games and his body was almost telling him it was time. Visit CNN.com/sport for more news, features, and videos. He also played a key hand in helping the club win promotion to the Premier League in 2013 for the first time. It was there they had their first child, who is nearly five years old and started school this year. All Rights Reserved. He was taken to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff but his condition deteriorated and he died on 18 March. [28], Whittingham began the 200708 season on the bench. 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. Cardiff City retired his No 7 shirt and have continued to provide support to his family. [6][7], Whittingham began playing football as a youth player with his local side Coventry City, joining the club at the age of seven. 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. [83], In 2021, Whittingham's wife Amanda, brother James, sister Rachel and mother Sally founded a Registered Charity in his honour, named The PW7 Foundation. After the hearing, Coroner Graeme Hughes concluded that the former Cardiff City center-midfielder was not murdered but died by accident. [66][67] Whittingham scored twice in a 41 win over Brighton & Hove Albion and overtook John Toshack and Hughie Ferguson in the club's all-time leading scorers list in English league competitions. "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.". 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'. He just lacked a little bit of self-belief at the time, but Graham thought he could be a top Premier League player. Wh 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. 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. Breaking through at Villa was far from straightforward though. That run saw him score in matches against Chasetown, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Middlesbrough, before Cardiff eventually lost 10 to Portsmouth in the final. "Off the field he was a measured, kind, articulate and warm-hearting man. Mrs Whittingham gave birth to their second son two months after his death. His languid style, his talented left foot former Germany midfielder Dietmar Hamann referred to as one of the best left pegs Ive seen and his uncanny ability to score long-range goals helped Cardiff reach the 2008 FA Cup final and the 2012 League Cup final. Colin Marshall, a midfield team-mate, explains: Basically we didnt have a left-back because we lost a lad just before the season started. Peter Whittingham pictured playing for Cardiff in October 2015. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. The exact cause of Whittingham's death has not yet been confirmed, but he was being treated for a head injury. Whittingham made his 300th league appearance in a 11 draw with Burnley. But he said the evening was a blackout, and had no memory of the former footballer falling. 2. 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.