Nuneaton-born Whittingham began his career at boyhood club Aston Villa and was part of the clubs 2002 FA Youth Cup-winning team. pic.twitter.com/pr2e2QKmJJ. Juventus and Wales midfielder Ramsey wrote on his Instagram account: I will forever be grateful for you taking me under your wing. Whittingham fell down the stairs at a pub in Barry on March 7, 2020. Mr Davison said: "All of us were pretty drunk at that point.". 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. Our mission is to offer our intelligent, international audience access to the games biggest names, insightful analysis and a bit of a giggle. 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.. "When I looked more closely I could see he was not moving and something was wrong.. "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. After leaving Cardiff in 2017, Mr Whittingham, originally from Nuneaton, Warwickshire, ended his career with Blackburn Rovers in 2018 before moving back to south Wales. He made over 450 appearances and scored 98 goals in 10 years at Cardiff before finishing his career at Blackburn in 2018. 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For other inquiries, Contact Us. Then, as a professional footballer as a Bluebird he excelled with talent, ease, grace and humility. The Championship club confirmed the former Bluebirds midfielder had died after a police. Please refresh the page and try again. 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. Ex-Cardiff City ace Peter Whittingham, 35, suffered a serious head injury after tumbling down stairs leading to a beer garden in Barry, South Wales in March last year. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. Unconfirmed rumours had claimed the former star ended up in hospital following an incident in the Park pub in Barry on March 7 - the same day as England vs Wales in the Six Nations. There was a problem. He is believed to have fallen down a flight of stairs at a pub in Barry and was left. Footballer Peter Whittingham fell and died after 'play fight', inquest told Former Cardiff midfielder fell down stairs at a pub last March Inquest hears he was drinking with brother-in-law. But, most importantly of all, an inquest report can draw attention to circumstances which may stop further deaths from happening. He was also part of the defeated 2012 League Cup final side who took Liverpool to penalties after a 2-2 draw. He made a second statement after police showed him CCTV from the pub's corridor, in which he confirmed he is seen "messing about with Pete and Ryan" but still had no memory of the incident. Cardiff said Whittinghams death had left them heartbroken and had shaken us to our very foundation. 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. However, as has been seen by many powerful media campaigns, the input of a persons family and friends can make all the difference in helping to save others. News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. I just know he had hit his head on the small step on the stairs.. The former England Under-21 international made 459 appearances and scored 98 goals for Cardiff before finishing his career at Blackburn in 2018. Mr Hughes explains that an inquest is a fact-finding inquiry and that a number of witness statements will be read at todays hearing. Mr Hughes recorded the date of death as March 18 at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff and the cause of death as subdural hematoma (operated). The former Aston Villa youth player's pal said he fell in the corridor leading to the beer garden. Mr Whittinghams wife Amanda addressed the members of the press ahead of the formal start of the hearing and called for her partner to be remembered for all he had achieved. Whittingham was taken to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff. I really cannot remember anything much of what happened.. Cardiff said they were "heartbroken" in a statement on their website. Whittingham led the Welsh giants to the Premier League for the first time in 2013 as Championship winners, and also helped them to the 2008 FA Cup final, where they lost 1-0 to Portsmouth. Mr Lewis said he went to the area and saw someone lying on the floor before calling the emergency services. 2. Ryan Taylor, who was out drinking with Mr Williams and Mr Whittingham at the time, said in a statement: I dont know if there was some sort of horse play but the next thing I remember was that he fell but I don't know how he got there or how he had fallen. An inquest report can also clear up any rumours or suspicion surrounding a persons death. One of the best players to play in the Championship. Whittingham suffered a subdural haematoma, where blood collects between the skull and the surface of the brain, as well as bleeding and swelling inside his brain, and was given palliative care before he died. First and foremost, Peter was a family man and somebody who could light up a room with his sense of humour, warmth and personality. "At this stage there is no evidence or suggestion of a criminal act, and it appears the injury was caused by an accidental fall. Thoughts are with his family and friends.. 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. The ex-Bluebirds midfielder, who died last year aged 35 and. Fans have been posting their tributes on social media since Whittingham's tragic plight was revealed earlier this week. More info. My deepest sympathy to your family x Heart broken x pic.twitter.com/HRTVlYwtTU Mark Hudson (@M_Hudson5) March 19, 2020, Leicesters England playmaker James Maddison posted: Rest in Peace Peter Whittingham. Former Cardiff City midfielder Peter Whittingham has died aged 35. Former Cardiff midfielder Peter Whittingham dies aged 35, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. Whittingham, who scored 98 times in 459 games for the Bluebirds, is survived by wife Amanda. Midfielder Peter Whittingham, 35, who played for the club. One wrote on Twitter: "Incredibly sad news. The head injury he was suffered came as a result. 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. 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. On Wednesday, 18 March 2020, South Wales Police released the following statement: "At around . A statement by Nicholas Davison, a friend of Peter Whittingham and his brother-in-law Robert Williams, said that the trio were in a round together while at the pub. The former Aston Villa and Blackburn Rovers player, who represented England at under-21 level, enjoyed a successful 10-year spell in the Welsh capital, notching 96 goals in 457 matches for Cardiff between 2007 and 2017. He was living in Dinas Powys, Vale of Glamorgan, with Amanda and his young son when he died. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, It read: "At around 10pm on March 7, South Wales Police were called to a licensed premises in Barry. Peter Whittingham inquest hears former Cardiff and Aston Villa star died after tragic pub accident Whittingham, a former England U21s international, sustained a head injury in a fall at a. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much 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. He spent a decade with the Bluebirds, becoming a fan favourite during his 459 appearances. The former Cardiff playmaker suffered head injuries at a pub in Barry on March 7 from what South Wales Police have described as an accidental fall. You were one of the most technical and gifted players Ive played with and that left foot of yours was like a wand. Over the course of the afternoon/evening he has consumed a quantity of alcohol that has likely impacted his demeanour and steadiness. 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. ! Wittingham started his career with Aston Villa before joining Cardiff in 2007. Get insight to top players, instructions & drills and extensive coverage of equipment. Born in 1984 in Nuneaton, England, Whittingham came through the youth academy at Aston Villa also spending loan spells at both Burnley and Derby County. Alan Lewis, general manager of the Park Hotel since October 2019, said March 7 last year was very busy due to the rugby international match. Mr Hughes passed his deepest condolences to the family and friends of Mr Whittingham as he ended the hearing. I dont even remember much of the following day.". Changed your mind? The press has a legal right to attend inquests and has a responsibility to report on them as part of their duty to uphold the principle of open justice. 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.. "Then, as a professional footballer - as a Bluebird - he excelled with talent, ease, grace and humility. Mrs Whittingham was told her husband had had an accident and had a fall and was in hospital. See today's front and back pages, download the newspaper, order back issues and use the historic Daily Express newspaper archive. "We are heartbroken. Mr Lewis said he then went to watch the CCTV, describing seeing horse play, and said he felt satisfied there was no fight or any act of aggression. You will be missed but never forgotten. We are heartbroken. 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.. Peter was a fantastic footballer and an incredible human being. "When I looked more closely I could see he was not moving and something was wrong.". The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. FourFourTwo is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. At around 9pm a female customer alerted him to the incident, saying: Someone's been knocked out." He said: On March 7, 2020, he attended a pub in Barry with friends and relatives. 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. By March 17 he had been off sedative drugs for a number of days but neurological recovery remained poor. "At this stage there is no evidence or suggestion of a criminal act, and it appears the injury was caused by an accidental fall. He was taken to Cardiff's University Hospital of Wales and placed on life support but later died. Cardiff City legend Peter Whittingham tragically died after falling through a pub fire door and hitting his head, an inquest heard. The ex-Bluebirds midfielder, who died last year aged 35 and is regarded as one of the club's greatest ever players, sustained a head injury in a fall at a pub in Barry on March 7 last year. "I was the first person there and offered him my hand thinking he would just take it and he would get up on his feet. "I just know he had hit his head on the small step on the stairs. Mr Williams said: "I have no idea what happened to Peter. Nobody did it better. 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A medical cause of death was proposed as subdural hematoma operated. In a statement read to the hearing, Williams said: I would say that we were all drunk by the night. Should journalists shy away from attending inquests then an entire arm of the judicial system is not held to account. Mr Lewis said he went to the area and saw someone lying on the floor before calling the emergency services. Visit CNN.com/sport for more news, features, and videos. The left-footed maestro finished his career at Blackburn Rovers and played for England under-21s, earning 17 caps. Tributes have poured in from the world of football following Peter Whittingham's death at the age of 35.The former Cardiff playmaker suffered head injuries at a pub in Barry on March 7 from what Sou Peter Whittingham underwent an emergency operation after the incident to relieve pressure on his brain and was later sent to the intensive care unit. Whittinghams brother-in-law Robert Williams said the pair and friend Ryan Taylor had been drinking lager, bitter and tequila during the afternoon and evening. A statement read by Mr Whittingham's wife, Amanda, to members of the press ahead of the formal start of the hearing saw her call for him to be remembered for all he achieved. After being transferred to hospital and undergoing an operation Mr Hughes said his condition deteriorated and Mr Whittingham later died in hospital. On Tuesday, the coroner's court in Pontypridd, south Wales, heard the former England U21 international had gone drinking with his wife's brother and a friend to watch last year's England vs Wales Six Nations match. We unashamedly love this game and we hope that our coverage reflects that. Whittingham died on 20 March aged 35 after suffering a head injury. 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. Whittingham, 35, suffered a traumatic head injury at the Park Hotel pub in Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, on March 7, 2020, and died in hospital 11 days later after failing to regain consciousness. Whittingham is survived by wife Amanda, who is currently expecting their third child. Mr 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. All Rights Reserved. He also played for England's Under-21s 17 times, as well as Aston Villa. Young guy's life taken so quickly after a freak accident. I cannot remember being in the corridor and messing about with Pete and Ryan. Bodycam footage of the aftermath of the incident captured Mr Taylor saying friendly banter when asked by an officer how he had fallen. He was rushed to hospital but failed to regain consciousness, sadly passing away 11 days later. pic.twitter.com/XZSSN2uRyA. . Discovery Company. 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. At around 9pm a female customer alerted him to the incident, saying: Someone's been knocked out.". "The loss of Peter will be painfully felt by our city, supporters and indeed all who ever had the pleasure of knowing him. 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. "First and foremost, Peter was a family man - and somebody who could light up a room with his sense of humour, warmth and personality. Something went wrong, please try again later. Mrs Whittingham also provided a witness statement which was read at the hearing. 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. "This has led to a traumatic head injury.". "I can also confirm I cannot remember seeing Pete fall, and only remember seeing him laying on the ground.". A truly wonderful player, I was lucky to have spent my time on the grass with you and part of my life enjoying your dry humour. He made more than 450 appearances for Cardiff before finishing his career at Blackburn in 2018. Our love goes out to his wife Amanda, their young son and family. The exact cause of Whittingham's death has not yet been confirmed, but he was being treated for a head injury. Nicholas Davison, a friend of Whittingham and his brother-in-law Robert Williams, said the group were in a round of drinks and drank "between six and 10 pints" and had a "round of shots" at The Park pub. Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Whittinghams former Cardiff boss, and ex-Bluebirds colleagues Aaron Ramsey and Robbie Fowler were among those to pay tribute to the cultured midfielder. He later died at 1.51pm on March 18, the inquest hears. Our love goes out to his wife Amanda, their young son and family. He said: "I dont know if there was some sort of horse play but the next thing I remember was that he fell but I don't know how he got there or how he had fallen. Abbey Clancy and her husband Peter Crouched discussed renewing their wedding vows as they appeared on The Jonathan Ross Show on Friday.. In his statement Mr Taylor said he must have been referring to the play fight. The hearing was told how Whittingham had been on an all-day drinking session while watching Wales vs. England in the Six Nations. A club statement read: "It is with an immeasurable amount of sorrow that we must inform supporters that Peter Whittingham has passed away at the age of 35. You can also subscribe to tailored content for Swansea, Newport, rugby, Cardiff City FC, Swansea City FC and more. "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. Thoughts go to all the family, friends and club in this difficult time. Coronavirus Stay At Home challenge: What is it and how do you play? DC Jenkins said it does not capture Peter Whittingham's fall but the build-up. 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 BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. The head injury he was suffered came as a result of a fall in a pub in Barry. 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. Meanwhile, Cardiff released a statement, reading: 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 coroner recorded a conclusion of accidental death. View our online Press Pack. What's the least amount of exercise we can get away with? The ex-Villa midfielder, who died last year aged 35 . By March 17 he had been off sedative drugs for a number of days but neurological recovery remained poor. Peter Whittingham in action for Derby County Coroner Graeme Hughes recorded an accidental death conclusion. Peter Whittingham died on 17 March 2020 at the age of 35, according to Transfermarkt. 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But he said the evening was a "blackout", and had no memory of the ex-footballer falling. 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