Gordon Taylor, the chief executive of the Professional Footballers' Association, joined the tributes to Gary Speed on Monday, saying "a light has gone out in the football world".
Taylor also suggested there was an appetite within his organisation for a public recognition of the late Wales manager.
Former Leeds, Everton, Newcastle, Bolton and Sheffield United midfielder Speed died at his home on the outskirts of Chester on Sunday, with sources confirming he was found hanged, and Taylor admitted he was overwhelmed by the level of shock, telling Sky Sports News: "I've never known of such grief and loss."
He added: "He was so popular, so friendly and I never heard a bad word about him. A real light has gone out in the football world.
"He was a great legend of a player and every time I saw him he had a smile. It's terribly sad on behalf of everyone. He was one of our finest ever members, our sincere thoughts and condolences to his wife and sons."
Fans have started to leave shirts, scarves and flowers at Speed's former stomping grounds, but Taylor hinted that a more formal tribute could yet be forthcoming from the football world.
"There will be an overwhelming sense that we want do something together to show how loved and regarded he was in the football world," Taylor added. "Everywhere he went he was surrounded by friends. There is a terrible sense of loss."
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce also paid tribute to Speed, both as a player and a person, telling BBC Radio Five Live: "I was fortunate to take Gary to Bolton. At that stage he was a young 34 and most people were saying he was getting past it, but in actual fact his stats were absolutely outstanding.
"As soon as he walked into the club he had an aura. He did everything to detail. When generally an old professional might moan and groan and say 'I don't want to do this' he just took it on board.
"I was also fortunate to get to know him as a person. He was an outstanding individual and this is what's devastating. His life was about standards, he had a high standard for everything that he did. To sum it up, if you had a daughter and she brought Gary Speed home you'd be delighted."
Source: PA
