Eras come to an end and after 457 games, 96 goals, 93 assists and 10-and-a-half magnificent years, Peter Whittingham is a Cardiff City player no more.
Never again will see see that wand of a left foot, the elegance of his passing, the ferociousness of his shooting, the curling corners, the sophistication and artistry he brought to the Bluebirds team.
Whoever came up with the saying 'The Beautiful Game' probably had a prototype of Whittingham in mind when he first coined the phrase.
Whittingham was football poetry for Cardiff City. Not just classy on the field, but just as special off it too.
Whenever he copped flak — and that goes with the territory of being a modern-day player — Whittingham never moaned, turned on his critics or adopted the default setting used by so many of his peers of "what do they know, they've never played the game.'"
He just calmly answered any question marks raised by doing what he does best — creating or scoring goals.
Even his departure from the club he has served with such distinction for a decade was marvellous.
Despite undoubtedly being hurt by a contract offer which was only a third of his previous salary, plus the loss of a first team place that was his for a decade, there was no malice, no harsh words, no toys out of the pram.
On the contrary, Whittingham spoke glowingly of the club and fans, simply pointing out that at 32 years of age he needed regular football.
“City’s result will be the first I check every Saturday evening,” he concluded.
It's almost enough to bring a tear to your eye. Indeed, that's exactly what happened with some Bluebirds fans as the Whitts love-in hit its peak upon the announcement he was leaving for Blackburn.
This can't happen. Things will never be the same again. I'm giving back my season ticket. Just a few of the comments being bandied around on social media.
So, against the context of everything said above, why on earth are Cardiff City getting rid of such a fabulous player and clear fans' favourite?
Because, the answer is, time stands still for no man in football. Not even a modern-day Cardiff City legend.
Sound business sense and harsh economics determined that Whittingham had to be moved on, given the way manager Neil Warnock's team was shaping up for 2017-18.
Whittingham's huge Army of Bluebirds backers won't like this, but he actually divided opinion amongst Cardiff fans towards the end.
There were those who staunchly defended anything Whittingham did and insisted he should be first name on the team sheet. Then there were those adamant his legs had gone and he should be nowhere near the starting XI.
The truth, as always, was probably somewhere in between.
However, it became pretty apparent early on that the languid, laid-back Whittingham we love was not going to fit into the energetic, hustle and bustle style of was play Warnock demanded from his Bluebirds.
Warnock quickly made Aron Gunnarsson his midfield kingpin and wanted the athleticism and energy Joe Ralls offered next to him.
That made Whittingham something of a bit-part figure the more the season wore on. He was tried next to Gunnarsson, he was tried in the 10 role behind Kenneth Zohore. But you felt it was temporary, not permanent.
If they are to push for the Premier League next season, Cardiff know they need a dominant, bossy midfielder next to Gunnarsson and Ralls to run the show.
Someone with fight and flair to his game. An individual with a mix of Gunnarsson's best and Whittingham's finest, perhaps?
Warnock won't reveal who that target is, but you can rest assured he has held talks and will unveil his new signing at the beginning of July.
I'm assured it is NOT Joe Ledley or Charlie Adam, even though the grapevine has been buzzing with those names.
Whatever, something had to give for the planned promotion push and Whittingham it was.
I'm told the Bluebirds hierarchy offered him a new deal at around a third of his previous salary. Sounds a harsh way to treat a legend, but why pay a large expense for someone who clearly wasn't going to figure regularly under Warnock?
Freeing up Whittingham's wage gives the manager - hugely popular himself - the opportunity to bring in the more mobile, dominant midfield man he believes is required for a team pushing for the top in the modern-day Championship.
Letting Whittingham go also gives the player himself the opportunity to feature regularly for Blackburn, rather than kick his heels in frustration by warming the Bluebirds bench.
So it's the right solution for Cardiff City, the right solution for Peter Whittingham.
He can probably do better than League One, if truth be told. But Blackburn should bounce straight back up and Whittingham probably didn't want to play against Cardiff for another Championship club anyway.
So, how do we remember Whittingham? Everyone will have their own special memory. The wonder volley against Barnsley, the hat-trick against Wolves, the promotion year, that 2009-10 campaign when he bagged an incredible 25 goals from the midfield.
I'm personally going to choose the Carling Cup semi-final against Crystal Palace in January 2012, when a capacity crowd packed into Cardiff City Stadium to see if Malky Mackay's men could reach Wembley.
The tension has rarely been as great as it was that night, the atmosphere rarely as white-hot, the ball like a hot potato for most of the 22 players on show. Yet amidst the commotion and turmoil, Whittingham and Stephen McPhail stood out like a couple of shining beacons with their calm and control.
Up against Kagisho Dikgacoi, Mile Jedinak and Wilfried Zaha, Whittingham did... well what Whittingham does best. He kept hold of the ball, found a teammate, put Cardiff on the front foot and helped claw back a 1-0 first-leg deficit as the Bluebirds won on penalties.
It was on nights like that you were glad Whittingham and McPhail were Cardiff City players. They brought calm and authority to the chaos and nerves.
Was Whitts the finest of his era? No, you can't say that.
Craig Bellamy, Michael Chopra and Jay Bothroyd would challenge for that title. So too Jason Koumas, who for one year was utterly amazing.
To think that little lot were lining up next to Whittingham must have put frighteners on any opposition team heading to Ninian Park or Cardiff City Stadium.
There have been ups and downs, but it has been an incredible golden era for Wales' capital city club.
There has been one constant throughout. Peter Whittingham. He really did do what he wanted.
