The FAW announced this morning that Gary Speed has been found dead at the age of only 42. This is devastating news not only to us, but also to the fans of Everton, Newcastle United, Bolton Wanderers and Sheffield United, all of whom he represented with great distinction.

The FAW statement said “The Football Association of Wales are sad to announce the death of the national team manager Gary Speed. We extend our sympathies and condolences to the family. We ask that everyone respects the family’s privacy at this very sad time.” There are few details available as to the circumstances of his death, but some reports have suggested it is apparent suicide after he was suffering from depression.

Speed was born in Mancot in North Wales in September 1969, but was snapped up by Leeds for our academy and made his debut for the club at the age of 19. After being a regular feature of Howard Wilkinson’s side who won promotion in 1989/90, he become the youngest member of a famous midfield quartet as Leeds became the last winners of the old first division two years later.

He was a very popular player at Leeds and well known for his surging runs down the left, but also scored quite a few goals with his head, due to his ability to find space in the box at set pieces. And with his boyish good looks I’m told that he had more than a few admirers among the female members of Leeds United’s vast following. He seems to have been genuinely liked by his colleagues and Howard Wilkinson said today “I’ve rarely come across a better balanced, lovely, genuine person”.

But Speed had been an Everton fan as a boy, and he moved onto that club for £3.5 million in the summer of 1996. However, he was transferred again two years later, this time moving to Newcastle in controversial circumstances that have never been fully explained. Though he didn’t win any more honours to add to his 1992 Championship medal, he played in two FA Cup finals as the Geordies lost to Arsenal and Man United in successive years.

He remained at St.James’ Park for the best part of six years, before joining Bolton at the age of 34. By this time he had become the first player to make 500 appearances in the Premiership, and even today only David James has played more games in the Premier League. His playing career wound down at Sheffield United, before his first stab at management with the Bramall Lane club, taking over from Kevin Blackwell.

I remember reading an interview from his time at Leeds when he said that he didn’t feel that he would have a sufficiently forceful personality to become a manager, but by then he’d obviously found enough self-confidence to give it a go. His spell in charge at Bramall Lane can’t really be regarded as a great success, as they were struggling in the league when he left to take up the Wales job, and they would be relegated at the end of the season under yet another Leeds old boy in the shape Micky Adams.

Nevertheless, he seemed to be making a success his time in charge of the Welsh national team, and four wins in the last five games had improved the desperate world ranking that had seen them in the bottom group of seeds in the World Cup draw. If he was feeling any sort of strain in managing his country it didn’t show up in any of his media appearances in the last few weeks of his life. He seemed to be quite relaxed, with no hint of any sort of inner turmoil.

All of which makes today’s news such a huge shock for all the many people who were fond of him for one reason or another. He leaves behind a wife and two children, and our thoughts today are with them, as they struggle to cope with their terrible loss.

Gary Speed, September 1969 – November 2011

RIP

Photo: Action Images

Leeds United Polls