Rest in Peace, Gary Speed - 1969-2011
It was a moment of stunning sadness to listen to BBC Radio 5 Live Sport at around 12:20pm today when the excellent presenter, Ian Payne, interrupted a conversation on Saturday's premier league action with anguish and shock in his voice to announce that he had received terrible news. He then said he would go to the Liberty Stadium where commentator Nigel Adderley would reveal the news.
With a sombre tone Nigel Adderley revealed the unacceptable: Gary Speed, football manager of Wales, had been found dead in his home earlier this morning and police say his death is not being considered as suspicious.
All football supporters will have been as stunned as Ian Payne when hearing this despairing news. Gary Speed was the ultimate professional Premier League footballer and he was beginning to forge a successful career as Wales football manager. He conducted himself with immense dignity and integrity on and off the pitch. He was a footballer whom no supporter or commentator ever had a negative word for because he exemplified strong commitment, talent and sportsmanship. Everyone had respect for the high level character that he brought to the game of football, and to life.
On behalf of everyone at EFT we send our deepest condolences and sympathies to the family and friends of Gary Speed. His towering legacy will long outlast this extremely sad day.
posted by T at 11/27/2011 08:18:00 pm
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2 Comments:
I don't think I have much to add that would differ from your words, T. Devastated, was I when I heard the news today. I watched him during Football Focus and could tell not an ounce of what would happen sometime later after that broadcast. I ask many times, 'why?' Why, Gary, did you take your life?
You had a lovely family, your wife and children. You made an excellent reputation for yourself on and off the pitch. You were one of the sharpest midfielders of your time, and what a time it was: Everton, Leeds, Newcastle, Bolton, four very good sides of your time, to name a few. You went on to handle management, culminating in a baptism at Sheff Utd, to end with what I felt would be the beginning of a new revolution with the Wales national squad.
It's all just devastating, so I can only imagine how it is for his family right now. When a good person is cut down so early in their life, it's harder to take in. Wales have lost an important, respected, reputed talisman in Gary, it's a big loss to football overall. A big loss.
RIP Gary, and thank you.
11/27/2011 10:13 pm
Thank you Redsman.
12/01/2011 3:08 pm
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