Gary Speed: A Tribute

The football world has lost a true gentleman in Gary Speed. The Welsh manager has seemed to have taken his own life as more news to this tragic story gets uncovered.

Speed had a very long playing career, making his debut at the age of nineteen for Leeds. He went onto win the Division One title in the 1991/92 season. After making 248 appearances for Leeds in eight years, he spent two seasons at Everton before having probably his most notable spell at Newcastle. After spending a further four years and playing another 213 games he moved to Bolton in 2004. He ended his playing career at Sheffield United in 2010 and became their coach. He played a total of 677 games in club football and is still the most capped outfield player for Wales earning 85 appearances for his national side. He also received an MBE in 2010 for his services to football in Wales.

He became manager of the Wales team last year and after a bad start, Speed won his final three Euro Championships qualifiers with Wales looking to become a force. With Wales seemingly on the up, it is hard to come to terms with why Speed decided he couldn’t carry on.

While the speculation around his death and what drove him to it continues, Twitter has been abundant with former colleagues and friends sending their condolences to the Speed family:

‘The world has lost a great man in Gary speed I'm devastated spoke to him yesterday morning why ! Why. Why !! I'll miss him so much x’ Robbie Savage

‘One of the most consistent professionals of our generation, gone in a flash. Tragic.’ Joey Barton

‘Just cannot believe the news regarding Gary Speed. We waved at each other a couple of days ago dropping our kids off at school. I'm numb.’ Michael Owen

‘I feel so sad.We have lost our manager,leader and an extremely great person who's inspired us all in the last year.Rest in Peace Gary Speed’ Robert Earnshaw

These are just a few of literally hundreds of comments. Former players like John Hartson were reduced to tears when they heard the heart-breaking news and Craig Bellamy, understandably, couldn’t bring himself to play against Manchester City. R.I.P Gary Speed 1969-2011.