I’ve seen and contributed to many a thread like this, but this one is very different.
I can actually feel the hurt and grief in every poster in it.
Peter was without doubt in my mind, the best player I’ve seen down the City, since I started going in the late 70’s.
He had everything you could ask for in a player.
Sublime skill, superb ball control, super cool head, lovely unassuming fella.
For him to be with us for 10 seasons, was a gift for us all.
I don’t agree with retiring the shirt, because many former City no 7’s have also given their all for the club, even if they weren’t as good as Peter.
He has, though, got to have something put in place at the club, so his memory is preserved.
My favourite Peter Whittingham memory, has to be Boro away in the 2008 FA cup Qtr final.
IMO, the best away performance by a City team I can remember.
Everything about that day was special for me.
Us, a mid table championship team, playing Boro a struggling Premiership team managed by a man destined to go on to be England’s manager.
They had a £16m striker playing up front, but we ran them ragged. Whitt’s sublime goal, followed by RJ’s goal to wrap it up, and the tremendous performance of the emerging Aaron Ramsey.
The atmosphere on the concourse at half time, and in the stand at full time was the best I’ve ever been involved in.
RIP Peter.