I dont even remember much of the following day.". Get the best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week. "Not only were you a great player and professional you were an amazing human, City loves you more than you know.". His brother-in-law Robert Williams said the pair and friend Ryan Taylor had been drinking larger, bitter and tequila during the afternoon and evening. He played 66 games for Villa and had loan spells at Burnley and Derby before embarking on a 10-year spell at Cardiff in January 2007. He said they had between six and 10 pints and a round of shots at the pub, adding: All of us were pretty drunk at that point.". Cardiff said they were "heartbroken" in a statement on their website. 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. Another said: "What a tragedy. A statement from Mr Williams was also read out in which he said he had "no idea" what happened to Mr Whittingham but he had seen CCTV footage from the area inside the pub where the incident happened, which was in a corridor leading to the smoking area, and the clip showed a "play fight". . He added he and Mr Whittingham were at the pub to watch the Wales v England match. The hearing was told how Mr Whittingham had been drinking for hours while watching Wales v England in the Six Nations. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/, Peter Whittingham is critical in hospital, say police, Peter Whittingham is said to have suffered an accidental fall at a pub, Peter Whittingham's greatest goals for Cardiff City, Whittingham spent the best part of his career at Cardiff, The midfielder enjoyed a highly successful playing career, Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). Midfielder Peter Whittingham, 35, who played for the club. Mrs Whittingham gave birth to their second son two months after his death. RIP". Whittingham began his career at his boyhood club Aston Villa and had loan spells at Burnley and Derby before joining Cardiff in 2007. RIP". She describes that in the morning on the day of the incident that led to his death they went out for a walk before Peter went out with her brother in Barry. Young guy's life taken so quickly after a freak accident. Nuneaton-born Whittingham began his career at boyhood club Aston Villa and was part of the club's 2002 FA Youth Cup-winning team. Peter Whittingham's pub stairs fall death 'accidental' - BBC News The former footballer had been out to watch the Six Nations rugby match between England and Wales when he fell and was injured at the Park Hotel. Our mission is to offer our intelligent, international audience access to the games biggest names, insightful analysis and a bit of a giggle. Editors actively ask and encourage reporters to speak to the family and friends of a person who is the subject of an inquest. There was a problem. The exact cause of Whittingham's death has not yet been confirmed, but he was being treated for a head injury. The head injury he was suffered came as a result of a fall in a pub in Barry. Coroner Graeme Hughes, who recorded a conclusion of accidental death, said Mr Whittingham had "consumed a quantity of alcohol that has likely impacted on his demeanour and steadiness" before he fell. The official England teams and English Football League Twitter accounts also paid tribute, with the latter describing Whittingham as a @CardiffCityFC and EFL legend. Thank you for signing up to Four Four Two. He said at time of the incident the only people present were Robert Williams, Ryan Taylor, and Mr Whittingham. Peter was a fantastic footballer and an incredible human being. He added that Mr Whittingham was not a smoker. One of the best players to play in the Championship. He led the Bluebirds to the Premier League for the first time in 2013 and also helped them to the FA Cup final in 2008 and League Cup final in 2012. Then, as a professional footballer as a Bluebird [Cardiff Citys nickname] he excelled with talent, ease, grace and humility. The coroner recorded a conclusion of accidental death. It takes just seconds to sign up - simply click here, enter your email address and follow the instructions. Peter Whittingham died from fall after 'play fight', inquest is told, Peter Whittingham made over 450 appearances and scored 98 goals in 10 years at Cardiff City, Whittingham played in two major finals for Cardiff and was part of their Championship-winning side in 2013. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer coached Peter Whittingham at Cardiff (Adam Davy/PA), Peter Whittingham (right) played for Cardiff in their 2008 FA Cup final defeat to Portsmouth (Lewis Whyld/PA), Chelsea report: Romelu Lukaku and Tammy Abraham set to return under Todd Boehly's new era, Sheffield United vs Tottenham Hotspur live stream, match preview, team news and kick-off time for this FA Cup match, Manchester United vs West Ham United live stream, match preview, team news and kick-off time for this FA Cup match, Southampton vs Grimsby Town live stream, match preview, team news and kick-off time for this FA Cup match, Lothar Matthaus says Bayern Munichs defeat to Manchester United in the 1999 Champions League final still pains him: We were a lot better. But his real success came after transferring to Welsh side Cardiff City for 350,000 ($412,000) in 2007, according to the BBC. He spent a decade with the Bluebirds, becoming a fan favourite during his 459 appearances. Without the attendance of the press at inquests questions will remain unanswered and lives will be lost. Nuneaton-born Whittingham began his career at boyhood club Aston Villa and was part of the clubs 2002 FA Youth Cup-winning team. The Cardiff City legend, 35,. He played 66 games for Villa and had loan spells at Burnley and Derby before joining Cardiff in 2007. You will be missed but never forgotten. He had been off sedative drugs for a number of days by March 17 but neurological recovery remained poor and he later died at 1.51pm on March 18. "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. Williams said he found Whittingham lying at the bottom of the steps beyond a fire door in the pubs corridor with his face to the side, and tried to lift him up only to find his body limp. But it was with the Welsh side that his talents really shone, becoming one of their most consistent performers between 2007 and 2017. 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. We love you Pete and your memory will eternally stay with us., Were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Peter Whittingham, who made 17 appearances for our Under-21s between 2004 and 2007.Our thoughts are with his friends and family at this difficult time. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. Manchester United chief Ole Gunnar Solskjaer - his former boss at Cardiff - paid tribute to Whittingham, calling him a "fantastic footballer and incredible human being". 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. Peter Whittingham's pub stairs fall death 'accidental' - BBC News "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. He was taken to Cardiff's University Hospital of Wales and placed on life support but later died. THE midfielder was rushed to hospital after an incident on Saturday March 7. But, most importantly of all, an inquest report can draw attention to circumstances which may stop further deaths from happening. Coroner Graeme Hughes recorded a verdict of accidental death at the inquest at Pontypridd Coroner's Court. "First and foremost, Peter was a family man - and somebody who could light up a room with his sense of humour, warmth and personality. The coroner recorded a conclusion of accidental death. He said they had between six and 10 pints and a round of shots at the pub, adding: All of us were pretty drunk at that point.". She said: I hope [our children] will be proud and comforted by their daddy's life and not overshadowed by details we are about to hear about his cruel death., Get the FREE Mirror Football newsletter with the day's key headlines and transfer news straight into your inbox. She said: "Rob was going out to watch the Wales v England game at the Park Hotel pub in Barry and trying to persuade Peter to go with him. Former Villa star Peter Whittingham died after pub fall "Then, as a professional footballer - as a Bluebird - he excelled with talent, ease, grace and humility. Peter Whittingham: Inquest into Cardiff City legend's death 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. Thoughts are with his family and friends.. "The loss of Peter will be painfully felt by our city, supporters and indeed all who ever had the pleasure of knowing him. Peter Whittingham in action for Derby County Coroner Graeme Hughes recorded an accidental death conclusion. There's an 'unsubscribe' button at the bottom of every newsletter we send out. Nobody did it better. FourFourTwo was launched in 1994 on the back of a World Cup that England hadnt even qualified for. I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Peter Whittingham, Solskjaer said. Over the course of the afternoon/evening he has consumed a quantity of alcohol that has likely impacted his demeanour and steadiness. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. The former Aston Villa youth player's pal said he fell in the corridor leading to the beer garden. 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. ", talkSPORT correspondent Laurence Mora pays tribute to Cardiff City legend Peter Whittingham, Peter Whittingham, bottom right, was capped 17 times at England U21 level, The left-footer became a set-piece specialist during his fine career. 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. Peter Whittingham dies in hospital after 35-year-old Cardiff legend Aston Villa and Blackburn both paid tribute to their former player. He won his first of 17 England under-21 caps in 2004 prior to loan spells at Burnley and Derby County, but it was at Cardiff where he really hit his stride following a move to the Welsh capital in 2007. The ex- Rovers man, who died last year aged 35 and spent a year at Ewood Park making 24 appearances, sustained a head injury in a fall at a pub in Barry on March 7 last year. He was also part of the defeated 2012 League Cup final side who took Liverpool to penalties after a 2-2 draw. The exact cause of Whittingham's death has not yet been confirmed, but he was being treated for a head injury. But he said the evening was a "blackout", and had no memory of the ex-footballer falling. 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.. He made over 450 appearances and scored 98 goals in 10 years at Cardiff before finishing his career at Blackburn in 2018. Mrs Whittingham said she texted her husband at 9pm but didnt hear back and after she called later there was no answer and she fell asleep. Our love goes out to his wife Amanda, their young son and family. 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. He later died at 1.51pm on March 18, the inquest hears. The Championship club confirmed the former Bluebirds midfielder had died after a police statement earlier in the week that he was in a critical condition in hospital. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. The left-footed maestro finished his career at Blackburn Rovers and played for England under-21s, earning 17 caps. Reaching a verdict of accidental death, Coroner Graeme Hughes said: On March 7, 2020, he attended a pub in Barry with friends and relatives. She was told he had sustained a bleed to the brain and needed an operation. A coroner said that "during a period of horseplay" with a friend and his brother-in-law Mr Whittingham "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. The Bluebirds icon was rushed to hospital after an incident on Saturday March 7. The inquest heard that several pints and shots were consumed by the group at the Park pub. Its a journalists duty to make sure the public understands the reasons why someone has died and to make sure their deaths are not kept secret. Midfielder Peter Whittingham, 35, who played for the club from 2007 to 2017, suffered a traumatic head injury at the Park Hotel, Barry, on 7 March 2020. By March 17 he had been off sedative drugs for a number of days but neurological recovery remained poor. Thoughts are with his family and friends pic.twitter.com/VnbPieSlrX. FourFourTwo is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. The hearing was told how Whittingham had been on an all-day drinking session while watching Wales vs. England in the Six Nations. You can also subscribe to tailored content for Swansea, Newport, rugby, Cardiff City FC, Swansea City FC and more. 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He is believed to have fallen down a flight of stairs at a pub in Barry and was left with devastating head injuries. Peter Whittingham's pub stairs fall death 'accidental' - BBC News Inquest into Whittingham death to be held, China looks at reforms to deepen Xi's control, Saving Private Ryan actor Tom Sizemore dies at 61, Alex Murdaugh's legal troubles are far from over, 'The nurses wanted me to feel guilty about my abortion, From Afghan TV fame to a US factory floor. Aaron Ramsey, Juventus and Wales midfielder, came through Cardiffs academy while Whittingham was playing at the club, and paid his respects to his former teammate. Its hard to believe that he has been taken from us at such a young age. We love you Pete and your memory will eternally stay with us., READ: Borussia Monchengladbach players offer to give up their salaries. Peter Whittingham inquest hears Cardiff City legend died after tragic My thoughts and prayers go out to your family, rest in peace Whitts was too young., Former Liverpool and England striker Fowler, who spent the 2007-08 season at Cardiff, tweeted: Just awful news Deepest sympathies go out to all his family and friends , one of lifes good guys, a genuinely real diamond of a man.. 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Coroner Graeme Hughes recorded an accidental death conclusion. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. Mr Taylor was out drinking with Robert Williams and Peter Whittingham on the day of the incident in Barry. As well as a brilliant strike rate of more than one in five, he also assisted many more with his classy left foot. After being transferred to hospital and undergoing an operation Mr Hughes said his condition deteriorated and Mr Whittingham later died in hospital. All at Aston Villa are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Peter Whittingham, an Academy graduate and FA Youth Cup winner who represented our first team between 2003 and 2007, the Premier League club posted on their Twitter account. "Our thoughts are with his friends and family at this difficult time. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Former Cardiff City midfielder Peter Whittingham has died aged 35. THE midfielder was rushed to hospital after an incident on Saturday March 7. Peter Whittingham started his career at Aston Villa before joining Cardiff FC in 2007, The midfielder played for Cardiff until 2017, Tributes left outside Cardiff City stadium for Peter Whittingham. What was Peter Whittingham's cause of death and how old was he? "We are heartbroken. I just know he had hit his head on the small step on the stairs. "This has led to a traumatic head injury.". Whittinghams wife and mother to their two young boys, Amanda Whittingham, told the hearing he left home at about 3pm without eating since breakfast because he was in a rush to catch the game. In a statement shortly after the incident Mr Williams said: I have no idea what happened to Peter. Whittingham, a former England U21s international, sustained a head injury in a fall at a pub on March 7, 2020, where he had watched an England vs Wales rugby match with friends. Peter Whittingham inquest hears former Blackburn Rovers player died For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/, Former Cardiff and Aston Villa star Peter Whittingham has died at the age of 35, Peter Whittingham went on to become one of Cardiff's best ever, , really good player and was always on my signing wish list. Just shows how precious life is. He made 16 appearances for Englands Under-21 team in that time, scoring three goals, while featuring in Villas Premier League side. We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. Whittingham, who. Changed your mind? Tributes paid to Peter Whittingham after death at 35 "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited.