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FBL-ENG-PR-WHITTINGHAM
Former Villa and Cardiff midfielder Whittingham dies aged 35
LONDON, March 19, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Former Aston Villa and Cardiff
midfielder Peter Whittingham died on Thursday at the age of 35 following an
accidental fall.
Whittingham had been in hospital since suffering head injuries at a pub in
the seaside town of Barry on March 7.
He reportedly fell down a flight of stairs after watching England play
Wales in the Six Nations tournament.
In a statement on their website, Cardiff said: “It is with an immeasurable
amount of sorrow that we must inform supporters that Peter Whittingham has
passed away at the age of 35. We are heartbroken.
“The news of Peter’s sudden and untimely passing has shaken us to our very
foundation.”
Whittingham, a former England Under-21 international, started his career
at Villa and won the FA Youth Cup with them in 2002.
He played 66 games for Villa and had loan spells at Burnley and Derby
before joining Cardiff in 2007.
Whittingham helped Cardiff reach the 2008 FA Cup final, which they lost 1-
0 to Portsmouth, and the 2012 League Cup final, where they were beaten on
penalties by Liverpool.
He was in the side who won the Championship in 2013, taking Cardiff back
to the top-flight for the first time since relegation from the old Division
One in 1962.
He moved to Blackburn after 450 appearances in a decade with Cardiff and
finished his career at Ewood Park in 2018.
“Our love goes out to his wife Amanda, their young son and family. 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
statement said.
“First and foremost, Peter was a family man – and somebody who could light
up a room with his sense of humour, warmth and personality. Then, as a
professional footballer – as a Bluebird – he excelled with talent, ease,
grace and humility. Nobody did it better.
“The loss of Peter will be painfully felt by our city, supporters and
indeed all who ever had the pleasure of knowing him. We love you Pete and
your memory will eternally stay with us.”
BSS/AFP/BZC/2050HRS