Peter Whittingham facts for kids
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Whittingham playing for Cardiff City in 2016
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Peter Michael Whittingham | ||
| Date of birth | 8 September 1984 | ||
| Place of birth | Nuneaton, England | ||
| Date of death | 18 March 2020 (aged 35) | ||
| Place of death | Cardiff, Wales | ||
| Height | 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 m) | ||
| Playing position | Midfielder | ||
| Youth career | |||
| –2001 | Coventry City | ||
| 2001–2003 | Aston Villa | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 2003–2007 | Aston Villa | 56 | (1) |
| 2005 | → Burnley (loan) | 7 | (0) |
| 2005 | → Derby County (loan) | 11 | (0) |
| 2007–2017 | Cardiff City | 413 | (85) |
| 2017–2018 | Blackburn Rovers | 20 | (0) |
| Total | 507 | (86) | |
| National team | |||
| 2004–2007 | England U21 | 17 | (3) |
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Peter Michael Whittingham (born 8 September 1984 – died 18 March 2020) was an English professional footballer. He mostly played as a central midfielder. He could also play as a winger on both the left and right sides. Sometimes, he even played as a second-striker.
Peter was part of the Aston Villa team that won the 2001–02 FA Youth Cup (a youth football competition). A year later, he played his first game in the Premier League, which is England's top football league. In 2005, Whittingham played on loan for two other teams, Burnley and Derby County.
In January 2007, he joined Cardiff City for about £350,000. He spent eleven seasons with Cardiff. During this time, he played 457 games and scored 96 goals. This made him one of the players with the most appearances and goals for the club. With Cardiff, he helped them win the Championship in 2013. They also reached the finals of the 2008 FA Cup Final and the 2012 League Cup Final.
Peter was chosen three times for the Championship's PFA Team of the Year. In the 2009–10 season, he scored 20 goals, making him the top scorer in his division. In June 2017, he moved to Blackburn Rovers. He played 24 games for them before leaving in August 2018. Peter Whittingham sadly passed away in March 2020 after an accident.
Contents
Early Life and Youth Football
Peter Whittingham was born in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, England. He went to King Henry VIII School, Coventry. His father, Harry, was a well-known fishmonger. Peter had an older brother named James.
Starting at Coventry City
Peter began playing football at age seven with his local team, Coventry City. A scout noticed him playing while his brother was with the club's youth teams. Peter played for Coventry until he was 16. However, the club decided not to offer him a professional contract in 2001. They thought he was too small to play professionally.
A scout from Coventry, Ray Gooding, disagreed with this decision. He contacted Aston Villa to recommend Peter. After a successful tryout, Peter signed with Aston Villa.
Playing for Aston Villa
Peter joined Aston Villa in April 2001. He was part of the team that won the FA Youth Cup in 2002. On 21 April 2003, he made his first team debut. He came on as a substitute against Newcastle United. He played two more games as a substitute before starting his first match.
The next season, Peter's manager, David O'Leary, praised his talent. Peter scored his first senior goal on 23 September 2003. This was in a League Cup game against Wycombe Wanderers. He played in almost every game early in the season. In November, he signed a contract to stay until 2007. He played 39 games that season as a left-sided midfielder. Aston Villa reached the League Cup semi-final. Peter was named Villa's young player of the season.
The next season, Peter often came on as a substitute. He scored his only league goal for Villa on 6 November 2004. This was in a 3–0 win over Portsmouth. But he played less as the team struggled. On 14 February 2005, Peter joined Burnley on a one-month loan. He played nine games for Burnley before returning to Villa.
Peter started three of Villa's first four games in the 2005–06 season. On 15 September, he went on loan again, this time to Derby County. He played 11 games for Derby without scoring. He returned to Villa in November 2005.
Time at Cardiff City
On 11 January 2007, Peter moved to Cardiff City. He quickly became an important player for the team. He played regularly for the rest of that year.
In the 2007–08 season, Peter started on the bench. But he returned to the starting team in November. He played on the right side of midfield, which was a new role for him. He soon got used to it and played most of the remaining games. He was also the team's top scorer in their FA Cup run. He scored in several FA Cup matches. Cardiff reached the final but lost 1–0 to Portsmouth.
For the 2008–09 season, Peter continued to play on the right. He scored his first goal of the season on 26 August. This was in a League Cup win over Milton Keynes Dons. He got an ankle injury in November. Doctors thought he would be out for three months. But he returned earlier than expected in December.
In the first game of the 2009–10 season, Peter scored a penalty. This was in a 4–0 win at the new Cardiff City Stadium. He became the team's main penalty taker. He scored many goals that season, including a hat-trick against Sheffield United. He won the October Player of the Month award in November 2009. In April, he scored a free-kick. The next day, he was named in the PFA Team of the Year for the Championship.
For the 2010–11 season, Peter played in a new central midfield role. His manager, Dave Jones, praised his performances. Peter scored a fantastic volley against Barnsley on 13 March. This goal was voted the Football League Goal of the Year for 2011. At the end of the season, Cardiff did not get promoted. There were rumors that Peter might leave the club.
Despite rumors, Cardiff's new manager, Malky Mackay, said Peter was important to his plans. Peter started the first game of the 2011–12 season. He scored his first goal against Oxford United. On 26 August, Peter signed a new contract until 2014. He played a big role in Cardiff's midfield. He scored many impressive goals, including free-kicks and a long-range chip. His 50th league goal for Cardiff came on 22 November. He was nominated for the November Championship Player of the Month.
On 30 December 2011, Cardiff rejected a bid for Peter from West Ham United. Peter was part of all the games in the League Cup campaign. Cardiff reached the final at Wembley Stadium but lost to Liverpool on penalties. He played his 250th game for Cardiff on 7 March. Peter was voted the best player outside the Premier League by FourFourTwo magazine. He won his second Cardiff City Player of the Year award. He was also named in the PFA Team of the Year for the Championship again.
Before the 2012–13 season, there were more rumors about Peter leaving. But Peter said he was committed to Cardiff. On 28 August 2012, he signed a new three-year deal. He started the season with a hat-trick against Wolverhampton Wanderers. He scored his fourth goal in the next game, a penalty. Peter helped Cardiff win the Championship trophy.
Cardiff's first Premier League season started well. Peter scored his first Premier League goal in nine years against Hull City. However, Cardiff was relegated after just one season.
In July 2014, Peter signed a new three-year deal with Cardiff. Even though Cardiff had a disappointing season, Peter was chosen for The Football Manager Team of the Decade.
Cardiff rejected two offers for Peter in summer 2015. His manager, Russell Slade, called him the club's key player. Peter scored twice in a 4–1 win over Brighton. He passed John Toshack and Hughie Ferguson in the club's all-time leading scorers list. Cardiff missed out on the play-offs that season.
Peter played less often after Neil Warnock became manager in October 2016. His contract was ending, so he received a standing ovation in his final home game in 2017.
In July 2022, two years after Peter's passing, Cardiff retired his number 7 shirt as a tribute.
Playing for Blackburn Rovers
On 13 June 2017, Peter joined League One club Blackburn Rovers. He signed a two-year contract. His former manager, Neil Warnock, had offered him a one-year extension at Cardiff. But Warnock made it clear Peter would play less often.
Peter made his debut for Rovers on 6 August. He played the full 90 minutes in a 2–1 loss to Southend United.
His contract with Blackburn was ended by agreement on 31 August 2018.
International Career
Peter Whittingham played for the England under-21 team. He made his debut against the Netherlands in 2004. He was part of the squad for the 2007 UEFA European Under-21 Championship. He played one game as a substitute in that tournament.
Peter scored three goals for the under-21 team. He scored two goals against Wales. His last goal was against Norway in February 2006.
Personal Life
At the time of his passing, Peter lived in Dinas Powys, Vale of Glamorgan. He lived with his wife, Amanda, and their son. Their second son was born two months after Peter's death.
His Passing and Legacy
On 18 March 2020, Peter Whittingham passed away at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff. He was 35 years old. He had suffered head injuries after an accident on 7 March.
Tributes and Foundation
After Peter's passing, many tributes came from the football world. His former clubs, Aston Villa, Cardiff City, and Blackburn Rovers, shared their sadness. Other players and football organizations also sent condolences.
In 2021, Peter's wife, Amanda, along with his brother, James, sister, Rachel, and mother, Sally, started a Registered Charity in his honor. It is called The PW7 Foundation. The foundation raises money for three important causes:
- The Cardiff City FC Foundation, which helps children in Cardiff through football.
- A sports scholarship at King Henry VIII School in Coventry, Peter's old school.
- Winston's Wish, a charity that supports children who have lost a parent or sibling.
A special friendly football match was played between Cardiff City and Aston Villa on 30 November 2022. This game raised money for The PW7 Foundation.
Honours
Aston Villa
- FA Youth Cup: 2001–02
Cardiff City
- Football League Championship: 2012–13
- FA Cup runner-up: 2007–08
- Football League Cup runner-up: 2011–12
Blackburn Rovers
- EFL League One runner-up: 2017–18
Individual Awards
- Football League Championship Golden Boot: 2009–10
- PFA Team of the Year: 2009–10 Championship, 2011–12 Championship, 2012–13 Championship
- Football League Championship Player of the Month: October 2009
- Cardiff City Player of the Year: 2009–10, 2011–12
- The Football League Goal of the Year: 2011
- The Football League Team of the Decade
Images for kids
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Whittingham playing for Cardiff City in 2016
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Whittingham playing for Cardiff City in 2011
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Whittingham (in blue) and Liverpool's Luis Suárez in the 2012 League Cup Final
See also
In Spanish: Peter Whittingham para niños
