The football world has been sent into shock and mourning today by the news Wales national team manager Gary Speed has died at the age of 42.
The former Newcastle, Leeds and Sheffield United midfielder who also had a four month spell managing the Blades was found dead at 7:08 am this morning at his home in Huntington Cheshire after appearing to have killed himself.
Speed who had been managing the Welsh national side since December 2010 had just revived the Dragons fortunes by leading them to four victories in their last five matches and his sudden death has shocked the football community to the core.
Speed, who won 85 caps for his national team is fondly remembered in Yorkshire for his time with Leeds, where he won the Division One title in 1992, and a two year spell with Sheffield United between 2008 and 2010, where he finished his career before taking up the managerial reigns.
There was no inkling of any problems in Speed’s life when he appeared on Football Focus on the BBC yesterday but Cheshire police were called to his home this morning where he was pronounced dead.
Everybody at TykesMad would like to send their sincere condolences to Gary’s family.
R.I.P Gary Speed.
Gary Andrew Speed (Unknown/Unattached) information
Date of birth
Monday, 8th September 1969
Height
5ft 10in
Place of birth
Mancot, Wales
Weight
12st 10lb
International
Wales
Position
Midfielder
Comments
Squad No.
15
Recent career history by club (1999 onwards)
Team
Debut Apps (+ sub) Goals Yellows RedsSheffield United
01 Jan 2008 40 (0) 6 5 0Bolton Wanderers
14 Aug 2004 130 (9) 14 11 0Newcastle United
20 Aug 2000 161 (4) 18 24 1
Recent career history by season (1999 onwards)
Season
First App. Apps (+ sub) Goals Yellows Reds2008/2009
09 Aug 2008 18 (0) 3 2 02007/2008
11 Aug 2007 36 (3) 4 6 02006/2007
19 Aug 2006 42 (0) 8 4 02005/2006
13 Aug 2005 35 (5) 4 2 02004/2005
14 Aug 2004 39 (1) 1 2 02003/2004
13 Aug 2003 52 (2) 4 6 02002/2003
24 Aug 2002 35 (1) 3 5 02001/2002
26 Aug 2001 33 (1) 5 4 02000/2001
20 Aug 2000 41 (0) 6 9 1
Source: FOOTYMAD