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. 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. It was a trial at Villa that changed Peters fortunes, though. But alongside brother James, who is two years older than him, the pair started out in Coventrys youth system. A property portfolio built up over the course of his career offered security for the future and further developments were planned. 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 . Former footballer Peter Whittingham has died after suffering head injuries in a fall, aged 35.. Cardiff City confirmed that the club legend succumbed to his injuries on Thursday in an emotional . "He was fantastic. I played in front of him for the whole time, says Foley. 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. Previously he spent over a decade at the Birmingham Mail covering West Midlands football. An ex-Cardiff City player hit his head and died after falling down stairs at a pub in a pretend fight with friends, an inquest heard. [74], Whittingham had his contract with Blackburn terminated by mutual consent on 31 August 2018. Peter Whittingham's pub stairs fall death 'accidental' - BBC News Last updated on 20 March 202020 March 2020.From the section Cardiff. The secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. In the community he was engaging and approachable. It'll be devastating for his family and everyone he's come in contact with. "Whits: You left great memories with so many people you came into contact with and you will be sorely missed. 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. "There was an amazing period for Cardiff and him. [53] Following a goal scoring drought, Whittingham scored a penalty against Leicester in February and then scored straight from a corner against Peterborough. 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. [70] As it was expected that his contract would expire at the end of the season, he received a standing ovation when substituted in his final home match, against Newcastle in 2017. He was out with his brother-in-law and a friend when the incident happened just after 21:30 GMT. [51] Whittingham played a big role in Cardiff's centre midfield, producing many impressive performances and scoring several fine goals, including direct freekicks against Peterborough and Crystal Palace as well as a sublime chip from 35 yards away to Reading. The transfer remains one of the best value-for-money deals the club has ever made. Nevertheless, he was named Villa's young player of the season for the campaign. He spent a decade with the Bluebirds, becoming a fan favourite during his 459 appearances. Analysis and opinion from our chief football writer. [55] Whittingham then won his second Cardiff City player of the year award at the end of the season. James likes to focus on the good memories of his brother; all the goals he went on to score, the accolades, the PFA team of the year awards, playing in an FA Cup and League Cup final. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much What a player Peter Whittingham was.Gone far too soon. Peter Michael Whittingham (/hwtm/; 8 September 1984 18 March 2020) was an English professional footballer. On 26 August, Whittingham signed a contract extension to keep him at the club until at least the summer of 2014. Footballer Peter Whittingham died after 'engaging in horseplay' before 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. The coroner recorded a conclusion of accidental death. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. After almost 600 competitive games more than 450 of those with Cardiff City the aches and pains of 16 years at the top were taking their toll. He had been out watching a Six Nations rugby match between England and Wales when he fell down the stairs of a pub, an inquest was told. 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. Whittingham had loans at Championship clubs Burnley and Derby County in 2005. Politics latest updates: Half of Britons think Tories will lose seats CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. He scored his first two in a match against Wales[78] before scoring his last goal in a match against Norway in February 2006. New data released by Ipsos this morning has shown that around 55% of Britons expect the Tories to lose seats on Thursday, with 45% expecting Labour to pick up support. Peter Whittingham inquest hears former Cardiff and Aston Villa star 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. Whittingham collected a winner's medal as Cardiff lifted the Championship trophy following April's home encounter with Bolton Wanderers. 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.. Nobody did it better.". [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. 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. [60], Cardiff's debut Premier League season started off brightly with wins over champions Manchester City and Fulham. "This has led to a traumatic head injury.". Nobody did it better. Some time after 9.30pm he was in an area near the toilets and adjacent to a fire door leading to a corridor and steps and outside smoking area. His retirement came about in 2018 after a spell with Blackburn Rovers. It was here he started to take the first steps on a journey that would see him score 98 career goals. [14] In November that year, having been nearly ever-present during the opening stages of the campaign,[8] he signed a contract that would have lasted until 2007. Match of the Day: What fans can expect as show returns this weekend. 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 always appeared far too good for the Championship. For more information and to buy tickets for the game, visit here. throughout" after reviewing CCTV footage of . We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. Im still shaken up by what happened to him. 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. "We were blessed with his talent at Cardiff City. 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. According to many of his team-mates, he didnt even practise set pieces either. Wed put on possession sessions in training and he would never give the ball away.. Coronavirus Stay At Home challenge: What is it and how do you play? [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. He was a really important player and was . 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. 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. When asked how . [7][8] Coventry scout Ray Gooding, who had argued against his release, instead rang officials at Aston Villa to recommend Whittingham. He certainly wasnt scared of retirement, James says. The Coroner said: Mr. Whittingham had consumed a quantity of alcohol that has likely impacted on his demeanor and steadiness before he fell. The more difficult bit to write is how it all ended, so quickly but also painfully drawn out in the end. 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. "There's very few that stay at a club for that period of time and give their all every single season as well. It is with an immeasurable amount of sorrow that we must inform supporters that Peter Whittingham has passed away at the age of 35. 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. Mr Williams said: I cannot remember any of the specific events of the play fight that is captured in the CCTV footage. [72] Warnock praised him for his loyalty to the club,[73] and had offered Whittingham a one-year contract extension but made it clear that he would feature less often than he had done before. Solskjaer said: Peter was a fantastic footballer and an incredible human being. Footballer Peter Whittingham died from fall after 'play fight', inquest Whittingham was taken to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff. 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. He did not regain consciousness and died in . He was living in Dinas Powys, Vale of Glamorgan, with Amanda and his young son when he died. Former Cardiff City midfielder Peter Whittingham has died aged 35. Im proud to have played alongside you and will always remember the young vs old games and you just running the show. However, he couldnt establish himself at Aston Villa and had to move to Cardiff City for a transfer fee worth 350,000. 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. He also led Cardiff City to win the 2013 Championship. The Championship club confirmed Whittingham's death on Thursday . Peter Whittingham Cause Of Death. Cardiff said they were "heartbroken" in a statement on their website. [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. Former Cardiff City midfielder Peter Whittingham has died aged 35. 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. [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. Cardiff City owner Vincent Tan offered his own tribute to Whittingham. When I looked more closely at Peter, I could see he wasnt moving and something was wrong, he told the court. 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. It helped us all become better players and stronger people. The hearing was told how Mr Whittingham had been drinking for hours while watching Wales v England in the Six Nations. 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 became a brilliant player. 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. An inquest heard former Cardiff City footballer Peter Whittingham died in a tragic accident after falling on some stairs leading to a beer garden. All Rights Reserved. Whittingham died aged 35. He suffered a traumatic head injury and died in hospital 11 days later after failing to regain consciousness. It was there they had their first child, who is nearly five years old and started school this year. Peter Whittingham: the death of former Aston Villa star was accidental "It is with an immeasurable amount of sorrow that we must inform supporters that Peter Whittingham has passed away at the age of 35. 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. [28], Whittingham began the 200708 season on the bench. Whittingham, 35, suffered . He made more than 450 appearances for Cardiff before finishing his career at Blackburn in 2018. Hudson told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast: "It's devastating. "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 difference was phenomenal. Whittingham started his career at Villa, where he played more than 50 league games and won 17 England Under-21 caps. 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. He also played a key hand in helping the club win promotion to the Premier League in 2013 for the first time. [56] He was later named in the PFA Team of the Year for the Championship. 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. I havent stopped thinking about it. 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. Peter Whittingham pictured playing for Cardiff in October 2015. They are all in my thoughts at this time.". [77], Whittingham scored three goals for the under-21 team. I was back home (in the Midlands) at the time from Durham University, so playing Newcastle was useful because we all stayed at mine!. Its still hard for us all; my mum and dad, Amanda, who is such a strong, brave woman, his children. Staff would watch in awe as he rarely misplaced a pass. Peter Whittingham's brother on his heartbreak: 'It's still so hard "Not only were you a great player and professional you were an amazing human, City loves you more than you know.". Peter was a fantastic footballer and an incredible human being. 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 said: 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. [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. Theres a largely untold story about how Whittingham found his way into the team that would go on to win the FA Youth Cup in 2002. He left the club in 2017 as the seventh on the list of all-time appearances and the 9th all-time highest goalscorer of the club. This has led to a traumatic head injury.. But as people started praising his football he became much more confident. 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. He said: "I have been profoundly saddened by yesterday's terrible news. "Peter helped inspire a generation of young Cardiff City fans and will continue to do so. He was also a gentleman.. The club added: "The news of Peters sudden and untimely passing has shaken us to our very foundation. [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. [50] Whittingham started the first match against West Ham United, and scored his first goal of the season against Oxford United after coming on for Solomon Taiwo. [6] His mother worked as a teacher. What was Peter Whittingham's cause of death, how old was the former 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. Visit CNN.com/sport for more news, features, and videos. His four goals in five matches led to Whittingham being nominated for the November Championship Player of the Month. The exact cause of Whittingham's death has not yet been confirmed, but he was being treated for a head injury. 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. Based on evidence obtained via CCTV footage, the late footballer who died at the age of 35, was seen engaging in horseplay with his friend and in-law. His loyalty would also become one of the main reasons why the fans loved him. 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. Footballer Peter Whittingham fell and died after 'play fight', inquest At 35, it seems so unfair that hes no longer with us. [70], He made his Rovers debut on 6 August, playing the full 90 minutes as they began the season with a 21 loss at Southend United. 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. He remembers the excitement in the Whittingham household when the former Villa manager Graham Taylor called to say Peter was going to make his debut at St James Park in a game with Newcastle United in April 2003. Peter Whittingham's brother James looks back on his decorated football career and the painful memories of his death in March 2020 . Hiring writers at hubforjobs. Whittingham's former club Cardiff confirmed the news. [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. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express. 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. There will be an inquest into the death of former Cardiff City footballer Peter Whittingham, the coroner's office has confirmed. [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. 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.. pic.twitter.com/XZSSN2uRyA. First and foremost, Peter was a family man and somebody who could light up a room with his sense of humour, warmth and personality. On November 30, there is a chance to pull all that together properly for a good cause and three charities. Tony McAndrew and Kevin MacDonald got the best out of players through disciplined, old-school management. He has an older brother named James who works as an investment banker for Goldman Sachs. Recalling the pain, James says:It was very difficult for my folks, who are quite private people. Whittingham, Peter Frederick, 60, late of Pembroke Pines, FL and Portland, Jamaica, passed away on Wednesday April 29, 2009. The English Football League, The Football Association of England and the Football Association of Wales also issued messages of condolence. He didnt care so much about the salary or sitting on the bench on a bigger contract and collecting more money. Golf became his new passion. [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.
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