Wales manager Gary Speed dies at 42

2011-11-27

Prime Minister David Cameron is among those paying tribute to Wales football manager Gary Speed, who has died suddenly at the age of 42.

Sources said Speed, Wales manager for nearly a year, was found hanged.

Cheshire Police found him dead at 07:08 GMT at his home in Huntington, Chester. There are no suspicious circumstances.

Former Wales team mate Ryan Giggs said he was lost for words. David Cameron said he was saddened, while Labours Ed Miliband said football was mourning.

Gary was a magnificent person...he lit up every room he walked into

Alan Shearer Former Newcastle team mate Within minutes of the news of his death, tributes were issued from the stunned worlds of sport, politics and celebrity.

Former Wales team mate Ryan Giggs said: I am totally devastated. Gary Speed was one of the nicest men in football and someone I am honoured to call a team-mate and friend.

It goes without saying my thoughts are with his family at this tremendously sad time.

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish released forward Craig Bellamy from his squad for Sundays match against Manchester City, saying Bellamy was very, very close to Gary.

Fellow former Wales team mate, Robbie Savage, tweeted: The world has lost a great man in Gary speed I am devastated spoke to him yesterday morning why ! Why. Why !! Ill miss him so much x

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

Alan Shearer, who played alongside Speed at Newcastle for six years between 1998 and 2004, said: Gary was a magnificent person, bright, fun and a wonderful family man - he lit up every room he walked into.

I am proud to have been his friend and will miss him dreadfully.

A Downing Street spokesman said: The Prime Minister was deeply saddened to hear of the death of Gary Speed, who was greatly respected by football fans across the country both as a player and manager.

"The Prime Ministers thoughts are with his family and friends on this very sad day for fans everywhere, especially in Wales.

Labour leader Ed Miliband tweeted: Tragic and shocking news about Gary Speed. Fantastic servant of Leeds. Mourned by football. Deepest condolences to his family.

Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan tweeted: This is a sad day for football and for everyone in Wales. Gary Speed served club and country as a player and manager with great distinction.

Andrew RT Davies, Welsh Conservatives leader, said he and millions of others will always remember him as a legend in the game of football.

Welsh Liberal Democrats leader, Kirsty Williams, described the death as a tragedy for the Speed family and a tragedy for Welsh football.

Plaid Cymru leader Ieuan Wyn Jones said the "whole nation is in shock, He will never be forgotten, he added.

At the Liberty Stadium in Swansea - where the home side were playing Aston Villa - a minutes silence followed by a minutes applause was held.

The Football Association of Wales (FAW) said: That this tragedy should have overtaken someone so young and talented is a huge loss not only for his family and friends but a nation as a whole.

Phil Pritchard, FAW president, said they would do whatever we can to help Speeds family.

A spokesman for BBC Sport said: The news of Garys death is a huge shock. Our thoughts and sympathies are with his friends and family at this incredibly sad time.

Speed, who was awarded the MBE in the 2010 Birthday Honours, leaves a wife and two children.

Cheshire Police were informed of a sudden death early on Sunday morning, and found Speed dead at the property.

Robbie Savage reflects on his memories of friend and former team-mate, Gary Speed. The force said Speeds next of kin confirmed his identity, and his family wanted to be left in peace to grieve at this difficult time.

A statement added there were no suspicious circumstances and the death is now being dealt with by a coroner.

The Welsh Rugby Union said: Wales has lost a great sportsman, a true gentleman and a man who was working extremely hard and succeeding to deliver a bright future for Welsh football.

Speed, born in Mancot, Flintshire, had appeared on BBC1s Football Focus show on Saturday afternoon, just hours before his death.

He took over the Wales job in December 2010, and earlier this month, said the sides rapid improvement had exceeded all expectations.

A 4-1 friendly win over Norway represented a third successive win for Wales, and Speeds fifth in 10 games as manager.

At the time, he said: Weve progressed further than Id have thought in this space of time but weve still got a lot of work to do.

Speed won 85 caps - a record for an outfield player - for his country during a 14-year international career.

He was given the top job in Welsh football despite only having four months managerial experience.

Speed began his playing career at Leeds United after coming through the trainee ranks, and was part of the side that won the last Football League title in 1992, before the introduction of the Premier League.

Swansea crowd pay tribute to Gary Speed A Leeds spokesman said the club was stunned and saddened"by the news.

He was handed his Wales debut as a 20-year-old in the 1-0 friendly win over Costa Rica in May 1990.

He left Leeds in 1996 after 312 appearances to join Everton - who he went on to captain - in a £3.5m move.