THE football world has been left stunned by the passing of Peter Whittingham.
A cultured central midfielder who played more than 400 times for Cardiff, the Nuneaton-born star spent six seasons of his career in the Premier League.
Whittingham was capable of the spectacular and had a magic left footCredit: PA:Press Association
How old Peter Whittingham?
BLESSED with a wand of a left foot, Whittingham rose through the youth ranks at Aston Villa.
He was part of their FA Youth Cup winning side in 2002 and made his first-team debut the following April, coming on as a second-half sub against Newcastle in a Premier League clash.
After establishing himself in the first team during the 03/04 season, his performances for Villa didn’t go unnoticed by England who called him at under-21 level.
Whittingham would be capped 17 times for England U21’s, netting three times, but was never rewarded with a senior appearance.
He was born in September 1984, making him 35 years old.
He was named in the EFL’s team of the decade between 2005-15Credit: PA:Press Association
What was his cause of death?
THE midfielder was rushed to hospital after an incident on Saturday March 7.
He is believed to have fallen down a flight of stairs at a pub in Barry and was left with devastating head injuries.
Whittingham, who scored 98 times in 459 games for the Bluebirds, is survived by wife Amanda. She is expecting their third child.
South Wales Police released a statement on Wednesday revealing what happened after social media users had speculated about his condition.
It read: “At around 10pm on March 7, South Wales Police were called to a licensed premises in Barry.
“A 35-year-old man from Penarth suffered a head injury as a result of a fall and remains at the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff.
“At this stage there is no evidence or suggestion of a criminal act, and it appears the injury was caused by an accidental fall.
“Enquiries are continuing into the circumstances of the incident.”
Which clubs did he play for?
WHITTINGHAM went to Derby and Burnley on loan after falling out of favour at Villa.
But it was a move to South Wales and Cardiff in 2007 which really kick-started his career.
He played 437 times for the Bluebirds, scoring 96 goals – and was famed for his long-range stunners and free kicks.
It was calculated by Wales Online in 2016 that of his 91 strikes for Cardiff at the time, 42 percent had directly resulted from set pieces.
The midfielder made the Championship’s Team of the Season three times in 2010, 2012 and 2013, as well as the EFL’s Team of the Decade between 2005-2015.
He was an FA Cup and League Cup runner up with Cardiff, as they were beaten by Portsmouth and Liverpool respectively.
Whittingham concluded his career at Blackburn Rovers, but was officially a free agent after being released in August 2018.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
