CARDIFF City have confirmed they will hold a memorial match for club legend Peter Whittingham, two years after he died.
In a Tweet on Friday, Cardiff said: “Peter’s Memorial Match will take place at Cardiff City Stadium later this year, with planning now in its advanced stages.
“More information on how you can be part of this special day will follow in the coming weeks.”
Peter Whittingham played over 400 matches for Cardiff City and scored 97 goals.
This puts him seventh on the all-time appearance list, and ninth amongst goal scorers, despite primarily playing as a central midfielder.
On March 7, 2020, Whittingham suffered head injuries after a fall at a pub in Barry. He died from his injuries on March 18 at University Hospital Wales, aged 35.
Since the memorial game announcement, fans have been reflecting on their favourite Whittingham moments.
Shakir Cutting, a fan based in Cardiff, said: “The free kick away at Leicester in the play-offs in 2010.
“He sent the away end crazy that day.”
Tom Lewis-Jones, a Cardiff fan originally from Aberdare, who now lives in Harrogate, said: “The FA Cup goal at Middlesbrough in 2008, what a piece of skill.”
Whittingham made his way past four Boro defenders in the box before curling a shot with his weaker right foot past Mark Schwarzer.
Adam Lane said: “Has to be Barnsley at home in 2011. An absolute wand of a left foot!”
Whittingham spent 11 years with the Bluebirds, after signing for Cardiff in 2007 for a fee of £350,000.
During his career, he also played for Coventry City, Aston Villa and Blackburn.
He continued playing until 2018, when his contract was terminated by Blackburn by mutual consent.
Some fans have argued that Cardiff should go further than the planned tribute.
The A Bit of Swazz podcast tweeted: “Time for a stand to be named after him.”
Replies underneath the Tweet included: “It’s such an easy thing to do, I can’t understand why it hasn’t happened already” and calls for a statue outside the Cardiff City stadium.
In March 2021, Pontypridd Coroners Court gave a verdict of accidental death on Mr Whittingham.
It concluded he had engaged in a “play fight” with friends before falling through a fire door and down a flight of stairs.
He left behind his wife Amanda, and two sons, one of whom was born two months after his death.
Here, we leave you with this fitting tribute: extended highlights of the great man doing what he did best.
