Wow - not ashamed to admit I had a lump in my throat and a tear in my eye as I watched the news unveil on BBC when we were having lunch in town (as a break from the horror that is Christmas shopping) in Cardiff. A tragic loss, may you RIP Gary.
gary speed was a fantastic ambassador for welsh football. not only picking up 85 caps he revived our national team as a manager, which was at its lowest in many, many years, and whoever takes over from GS will be picking up from his excellent work he has left behind. its so sad not just that he passed away but more so that he took his own life away. as someone with a history of depression in their family i know more than most how painful life can be when you want to take away your own life, i can only sympathise with his poor family and how they must be feeling in these difficult times. i dont know the reasons for his passing, but i do know that football, and indeed the world, will greatly miss a man who achieved so much in his life, and will never be forgotten by myself, and countless others.
Heared the news just before the game today and to be honest with you i shed a tear during that minute applause for Gary, very sad day for Welsh football and the wider football family. Thoughts go out to Gary's wife and boys, Gary Speed RIP a true Welsh legend and a gentleman.
I never knew him or never met him, I know a few people who did, and they always said he was an ordinary nice guy, 42 years old with a young family tragedy whether a football legend or not RIP
Tried to PM you With hindsight, maybe I could have opened it up a little but at the time of posting, my only thought was both our Welsh clubs (no disrespect to any former clubs or their fans). Given some of the comments elsewhere on this forum, I'll leave it between our 2 clubs rather than give any trolls easy access to this thread. I've checked former clubs and most have condolence threads running.
I felt numb when I saw the news on Sky Sports before the game. I didn't feel like watching the game after that and I think many people at the Liberty felt that way and probably some of the players. It's such a sad loss! RIP Gary! You'll always be in our hearts.
http://www.not606.com/showthread.php/104211-NUFC-Tribute-to-Gary-Speed-(1969-2011)-Video Newcastle board this was a little to much for me i got to say but felt some may want to watch it.
The guy appeared to have everything. The dream job, 2 kids, a wife, respect of every football player, fan, pundit etc etc he was loved. Worrying to think what goes on in people's minds. What could have driven him to this. It's so thoughtless and selfish to commit suicide and leave the pieces behind for those that cared for you. Not here to discredit Speed though a good footballer and a good human being.
thats taken from the telegraph's website. i think we forget that these superstars are human, the same as you and i. imagine what it must be like to have people wanting to reveal things about you to disgrace you as a person and ruin your life. i wonder how those people will feel knowing that they have possibly caused a popular, successful, family man to suicide.
If thats true, the gutter press have even more to answer to. The gutter is too good a place for them and it gives rats a bad name.
Heard the news as I was walking to the stadium for the game but was hoping it was an unfounded rumour - was devestated when I saw it confirmed on the TV's inside the concourse. In hindsight I don't think the game should have been played, I certainly was in no mood to watch a football game and can't imagine how the players must have felt - was heartbreaking to see Shay Given crying his eyes out after the minutes silence/applause. Still feeling numb and my thoughts are with the family/friends/colleagues of Gary. A very sad day. RIP Gary.
Well done Swans fans for turning the minute's silence into a minutes applause in celebration of his life. I hope we do the same on Tuesday. Well done to the players connected with him, Ashley, Joe, Neil, Shay and James for getting on the pitch and playing the game. I can't imagine he would have wanted it any other way.
Just like to say on behalf of the fans at the DW how sad we are to hear about the death of the great Gary Speed and are thoughts go out to his family at this sad time. A TRUE WELSHMAN.
Well said Blue - and have no doubt Cardiff fans will show similar respect on Tuesday, this kind of news puts all the petty rivalries into perspective - we all have our idiots but most supporters are decent people and we should all come together at a time like this, regardless of club or country - football is just a game, events such as this far transcend that - let all decent football fans pay their tributes to a man who seemed to have it all - and if any idiots post their bile, just ignore them, they aren't worth reacting to - deafening silence is the best response to give them!
unfortunately cartoonhead thats something that happens when people can make annonymous accounts to post bile on tribute threads. when someone set up a facebook page about a school friend of mine who suddenly died, we got loads of trolls posting rubbish on it, people know they can get away with it. its still barely sunk in to be honest. i probably speak for other people as well when i say that when i first saw the story break on the bbc i thought it was some sort of sick joke, i couldnt believe that someone with so much to live for, a family, a great career, respected by everyone in the game, and making great strides towards becoming a great manager, decided to end his own life.
Aint that the truth Swamp - unfortunately there are some sick people in this world who hide behind the anonymity that the internet offers - they are just sick cowards who should be ignored, as to respond to their comments just gives oxygen to their pathetic little fire. Believe in Karma mate - they have sad little lives and this is the only way they can feel that they have some power over their pointless existences - ignore them and they will dissappear!
