In Memory of Gary Speed

Wales manager Gary Speed has passed away at the age of 42 after being found hanged at his home in Cheshire.

This tragic news has left many players absolutely devastated and shell-shocked.

Liverpool striker Craig Bellamy pulled himself out of Sunday’s Premier League clash versus Manchester City after hearing about Speed’s death.

Bellamy, a Wales international, reportedly went home after concluding that he was too upset to play in Sunday’s fixture between Liverpool and City.

Robbie Savage, a former Wales teammate of Speed’s, tweeted, “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.

“He come to watch  strictly 3/4 weeks ago I high fived him in the front row he loved the  show ,he loved life he loved his family ! Devastated.”

“I spoke to him yesterday and he was in high spirits. I just can’t believe it. He was my mate and he’s gone. He’s left two gorgeous kids behind. Gary was [a professional],” Savage told BBC News.

“He was one of the fittest guys. He looked after his body. He was a great team-mate, a great manager. He was joking yesterday [about Robbie being on Strictly Come Dancing], saying don’t get a two off [judge] Craig [Revel Horwood].”

Wales captain Aaron Ramsey added, “I was given the tragic news this morning. To say I am devastated is an understatement. My thoughts and prayers go out to Gary’s family and friends. Today the world has lost a great football manager but even more sadly a great man. He will be missed by all.”

Speed was renown as one of the nicest men in football by his peers, making this tragedy even more devastating for those who knew Gary on a personal level.

“Words cannot begin to describe how sad I feel at hearing this awful news. I’m totally devastated. Gary Speed was one of the nicest men in football and someone I am honoured to call a team-mate,” former teammate Ryan Giggs told BBC Radio 5 Live.

In addition, many more of Speed’s colleagues have expressed their sympathy for his family via Twitter.

Bolton chairman Phil Gartside added, “You could not meet a nicer chap in football. He was just a gentleman. He always had a smile on his face and had time for a chat with anybody no matter who it was. It was a pleasure to have known him as a person.

“He had great kids, a really nice mum and dad. It is just such an awful tragedy. I can’t believe it. He was such a fantastic fella and it is such a terrible shame that he has gone.

“When he came to our club from Newcastle he was as fit as anybody, young and old, and as enthusiastic as anybody and made a massive contribution.

“It was a sad day when he left us to be honest. At the time we wanted him to stay but he wanted to move on and explore other opportunities.

“He had a great managerial career ahead of him. He had done great work with the Wales team in the last few months and things looked really promising for the national side.

“Everybody loved him. I never met anyone who didn’t like Gary Speed. You couldn’t fall out with Gary Speed because he wasn’t that sort of person.

“In the couple of years that he played for us he really made his mark and was a great guy to have around.”

Rest in peace Gary. You will be missed.