Peter Whittingham Tribute: Aston Villa and Cardiff City Unite to Honor Former Player

Image credits: Birmingham Mail

Aston Villa and Cardiff City supporters will come together on Friday night to pay tribute to Peter Whittingham, a player who holds a special place in the hearts of both clubs. Whittingham, who died five years ago at the age of 35, is remembered with great affection at both Villa Park and in the Welsh capital. His time at Villa was restricted to 56 first-team appearances, but during a decade with the Bluebirds, he achieved legendary status, playing 457 games and scoring 96 goals.

Whittingham's sporting talent did not stop at football, as he was also skilled in racket sports, such as tennis and table tennis, and cricket. He played rugby at school and was a gifted sportsman who, after retiring from football, played a lot of golf. His brother, James, has fond memories of Peter's early days in football, watching him play for Coventry City's academy before he was old enough to take part. James recalls that Peter quickly overtook him, eventually being offered a youth training scheme contract at Villa, while James concentrated his efforts outside football.

Peter's legacy will be honored on Friday evening with a banner displayed in the lower North Stand before kick-off, courtesy of the 1897 group, who raised over £750 in less than 24 hours to make the banner. Excess donations worth £461.29 were then paid to the Peter Whittingham Foundation, which aims to improve the lives of children and young people across the UK. The foundation was established by James, Peter's wife Amanda, his sister Rachel, and mother Sally, and has raised £150,000 for three charities: Winston's Wish, Cardiff City in the community, and a sports bursary at King Henry VIII School in Coventry.

The match between Aston Villa and Cardiff City will be an emotionally charged evening for the Whittingham family, who have been invited to the FA Cup tie as guests of Villa. The family will be celebrating Peter's life and achievements, and the

• match scores
• player statistics
• tournament schedules
• team rankings

will be a testament to his enduring legacy. Peter's time at Villa was marked by his creative midfield skills and crosses, which created a host of chances for his teammates. He was also a member of the team that lifted the FA Youth Cup, beating an Everton side featuring Wayne Rooney in the final.

Peter's death was a tragic loss for the football community, and his legacy continues to inspire fans and players alike. The tribute planned for Friday night's FA Cup tie is a fitting celebration of his life and achievements, and a reminder of the impact he had on the sport he loved. The

1. Peter Whittingham Foundation
2. 1897 group
3. Aston Villa
4. Cardiff City

will all be coming together to honor his memory and continue his legacy, ensuring that his love of football and his family will never be forgotten.

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