Cardiff City Mad
01-08-17, 12:20
Peter Whittingham says he regrets leaving Cardiff City without being able to bid farewell to the club's fans reports BBC Wales.
More... (http://www.cardiffcity-mad.co.uk/news/tmnw/whittingham_regrets_not_being_able_to_sday_goodbye _910055/index.shtml)
<p>Peter Whittingham says he regrets leaving Cardiff City without being able to bid farewell to the club's fans reports <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40737849" target="_blank"><strong>BBC Wales</strong></a></p>
<p><span>The midfielder </span><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40261258">joined Blackburn</a><span> in June after 10 years at Cardiff.</span></p>
<p>Whittingham, 32, was offered a one-year contract on reduced terms by the Bluebirds, but bears no grudges against the club or manager Neil Warnock.</p>
<p>"The biggest regret for me personally is the fact I couldn't say goodbye to everyone surrounding the club, the fans," he told BBC Wales Sport.</p>
<p><img title="C:WindowsTempphpEF2B.tmp" src="http://pictures.footymad.net/upload/120/910055-1.jpg" alt="C:WindowsTempphpEF2B.tmp" width="500" height="530" /></p>
<p>"It's something I would've loved to have done. That's football, things don't work out I suppose but I'm sure I'll be back there soon enough.</p>
<p>"The gaffer offered me a one-year contract and he said 'You're not going to play as much as probably you'd like'.</p>
<p>"That kind of rubber-stamped things for me. It's one of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make to leave Cardiff after such a long time."</p>
<p>Whittingham's final appearance in a Cardiff shirt was the win at Huddersfield in May, while his last home game for the club came a week earlier at Newcastle.</p>
<p>His departure had not been confirmed at that point but, when he was substituted during the second half at Cardiff City Stadium, he was given a standing ovation which seemed more meaningful than usual.</p>
<p>Having joined from Aston Villa in January 2007, Whittingham made 459 appearances for Cardiff.</p>
<p>He helped them reach FA Cup and League Cup finals and win promotion to the Premier League, while his set-piece prowess and effortless playing style earned him hero status with the club's supporters.</p>
<p>However, following Warnock's appointment in October 2016, Whittingham's influence waned as he struggled to secure a regular starting place in the first team.</p>
<p>"I loved my time there, it was amazing. It's [leaving] something I had to do for myself," he added.</p>
<p>"He [Warnock] had his style and the way he wants to play. He's been in football long enough to know what works for him.</p>
<p>"As soon as he came in, people were messaging me saying 'Where are you going? What's going on?'</p>
<p>"I didn't really think I was going to fit in but I never had any issues with him at all."</p>
More... (http://www.cardiffcity-mad.co.uk/news/tmnw/whittingham_regrets_not_being_able_to_sday_goodbye _910055/index.shtml)
<p>Peter Whittingham says he regrets leaving Cardiff City without being able to bid farewell to the club's fans reports <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40737849" target="_blank"><strong>BBC Wales</strong></a></p>
<p><span>The midfielder </span><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40261258">joined Blackburn</a><span> in June after 10 years at Cardiff.</span></p>
<p>Whittingham, 32, was offered a one-year contract on reduced terms by the Bluebirds, but bears no grudges against the club or manager Neil Warnock.</p>
<p>"The biggest regret for me personally is the fact I couldn't say goodbye to everyone surrounding the club, the fans," he told BBC Wales Sport.</p>
<p><img title="C:WindowsTempphpEF2B.tmp" src="http://pictures.footymad.net/upload/120/910055-1.jpg" alt="C:WindowsTempphpEF2B.tmp" width="500" height="530" /></p>
<p>"It's something I would've loved to have done. That's football, things don't work out I suppose but I'm sure I'll be back there soon enough.</p>
<p>"The gaffer offered me a one-year contract and he said 'You're not going to play as much as probably you'd like'.</p>
<p>"That kind of rubber-stamped things for me. It's one of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make to leave Cardiff after such a long time."</p>
<p>Whittingham's final appearance in a Cardiff shirt was the win at Huddersfield in May, while his last home game for the club came a week earlier at Newcastle.</p>
<p>His departure had not been confirmed at that point but, when he was substituted during the second half at Cardiff City Stadium, he was given a standing ovation which seemed more meaningful than usual.</p>
<p>Having joined from Aston Villa in January 2007, Whittingham made 459 appearances for Cardiff.</p>
<p>He helped them reach FA Cup and League Cup finals and win promotion to the Premier League, while his set-piece prowess and effortless playing style earned him hero status with the club's supporters.</p>
<p>However, following Warnock's appointment in October 2016, Whittingham's influence waned as he struggled to secure a regular starting place in the first team.</p>
<p>"I loved my time there, it was amazing. It's [leaving] something I had to do for myself," he added.</p>
<p>"He [Warnock] had his style and the way he wants to play. He's been in football long enough to know what works for him.</p>
<p>"As soon as he came in, people were messaging me saying 'Where are you going? What's going on?'</p>
<p>"I didn't really think I was going to fit in but I never had any issues with him at all."</p>