Gary Speed: an ‘incredible guy who was loved by everyone’

By The Newsroom
Published 28th Nov 2011, 12:35 BST
TRIBUTES were paid yesterday to Gary Speed, the manager of the Welsh national football team, after he was found hanged at his home in Chester.

The body of the 42-year-old, who was married with two children, was discovered yesterday morning, hours after he appeared live on BBC1’s Football Focus. It is thought he had made provisional plans to appear on the programme again before Christmas.

Dan Walker, the show’s host, said Speed had spoken about his sons, adding: “He was perhaps in the best mood I had seen him in. He was very bubbly.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Click here to watch Gary Speed’s final interview on BBC’s Football Focus

After the show, Speed is believed to have joined ex-teammate Alan Shearer to watch live coverage of Blackburn’s game against Stoke, then gone to see his old club Newcastle United’s draw with Manchester United.

Swansea City’s match with Aston Villa yesterday began with a minute’s silence before fans broke into applause. Villa goalkeeper Shay Given, who played with Speed at Newcastle, wiped tears from his cheeks before the kick-off.

Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish said: “My blood ran cold when I heard the news – it’s absolutely horrific. Gary was doing fantastic with the Welsh team. It’s very sad news.”