Wales manager Gary Speed is dead

[Bobcock]

No further info at this time

[sabaii sabaii]

Wow, great player, had him in a lot of my dream teams

R.I.P

[sabaii sabaii]

Hanged himself

The former Leeds, Everton, Newcastle and Bolton midfielder was found hanged at his home in Chester this morning.
Police say there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the 42 year-old's death.
The Football Association of Wales confirmed the news, saying that Speed's family had authorised the release of the information.
A spokesman for Cheshire Police said: "At 7.08am on Sunday 27 November 2011, Cheshire police was informed of a sudden death at an address in Huntington, Chester.
"Officers went to the scene where a 42-year-old man was found dead. The next of kin have been informed and have confirmed the identity of the man as Gary Speed.
"There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death the family have requested that they are left in peace to grieve at this difficult time. A family tribute will be released at a later date but not today.
"The force later confirmed that the dead man was Speed."
After hearing of the news, Manchester United striker Michael Owen, who lives near the star, tweeted: "Just cannot believe the news regarding Gary Speed. We waved at each other a couple of days ago dropping our kids off at school. I'm numb."

Wales boss Gary Speed found dead - Telegraph

[The Muffinman]

Blimey, what a shock!

He was a great player in his day and seemed to be doing pretty well in the Wales job.
Wonder what happened, did his missus walk out or something? Incurable illness, depression?

RIP Gary

[Bobcock]

Fucking Hell.....

First news I have heard it was suicide. Been reading other reports and tributes, and many people saying they were with him yesterday and he was in fine form! Appeared on BBC football Focus yeaterday!

[Marmite the Dog]

A real shocker. As much as one can from only knowing him through the media, he was a decent chap and well liked and respected.

[Mr Lick]

Very sad news indeed. A fine footballer and a guy who was totally committed to the sport. R.I.P. Gary, fond memories of you sir

[Loy Toy]

Shocking news. A great player.

[harrybarracuda]

Oh dear that is so very sad. A great future ahead of him, he was doing so well with Wales.

RIP

[Mr Lick]

Just witnessed a tribute to Gary before kick-off at Swansea's ground. Very moving.

[nigelandjan]

No doubt the " Red tops " will be busy digging now for tommorows headlines.

RIP

[harrybarracuda]

No doubt the " Red tops " will be busy digging now for tommorows headlines.

RIP

Well let's hope one of the red tops didn't have anything to do with it.

[Bobcock]

Just witnessed a tribute to Gary before kick-off at Swansea's ground. Very moving.

Just watched that. Seemed to affect Shea Given quite badly having played together many years at Newcastle.

[billy the kid]

shocker indeed RIP.

[sabaii sabaii]

Here, we take a look back at the life of the former Leeds, Everton, Newcastle, Bolton and Sheffield United midfielder.

1969: Born on September 8 in Mancot, Flintshire.

1988: Signs professional terms with Leeds, making his debut at the age of 19.

1992: Plays a key role as the club win the First Division title in the last season before it was rebranded as the Premier League. Leeds' midfield of Gordon Strachan, David Batty, Gary McAllister and Speedwas hailed as a key factor in their success.

1996: After 312 appearances for the West Yorkshire side, during which he scored 57 goals, Speed completes a £3.5million move to Everton. He went on to be named captain of the Toffees and made 65 appearances over two seasons, scoring 17 goals.

1998: February - Joins Newcastle for £5.5million.

May - Plays in United's FA Cup final defeat to Arsenal.
1999: Speed suffers further FA Cup disappointment as Newcastle lose a second successive final, this time to Manchester United.
2002: Plays in the UEFA Champions League with the Magpies.

2004: Joins Bolton for £750,000.

2006: December - Becomes the first player to make 500 Premier League appearances when he features in Wanderers' 4-0 win over West Ham.

2007: May - Named as Bolton's first-team coach after Sam Allardyce resigned as manager.

August 25 - Speed's goal against Reading makes him the only player to have scored in every Premier League season to date. The achievement was later matched and extended by fellow Welshman Ryan Giggs.

October - Returns to playing duties, with new coach Sammy Lee claiming the decision was his while Speed insists he resigned.

December 24 - Sheffield United agree deal to sign Speed on loan from January 1, with a view to a permanent £250,000 move.

2008: November - A back injury ends Speed's season, leaving him to concentrate on a coaching role.

2009: June - Approached by Swansea over the possibility of succeeding Roberto Martinez as manager.

2010: May 6 - Formally announces his retirement as a player, though he was registered and named as a substitute for August 11's League Cup tie with Hartlepool.

August 17 - Appointed Sheffield United manager on a three-year contract as successor to Kevin Blackwell.

October 21 - Handed one-match touchline ban by Football Association after being charged in relation to an incident during October 2's home defeat to Watford.
December 13 - United give Speed permission to speak to the Welsh FA over vacant role of national team coach. Speed takes up the position the next day.

2011: February 8 - Takes charge of Wales for the first time, beating the Republic of Ireland 3-0 in the Carling Nations Cup.

March 29 - Loses first competitive match 2-0 to England at the Millennium Stadium.

September 2 - Records first competitive win, 2-1 at home to Montenegro.

November 12 - Records third win a row and fifth in seven matches in his last game in charge - a 4-1 friendly victory over Norway.

November 27 - The Football Association of Wales confirm he has died.

Gary Speed factfile | Sky Sports

[Loy Toy]

[Sailing into trouble]

First news I have heard it was suicide. Been reading other reports and tributes, and many people saying they were with him yesterday and he was in fine form! Appeared on BBC football Focus yeaterday!

That's the scary thing about people suffering from depression, you see them all happied up and think they are doing well. They have actually made their plan and are at peace. Worse than that that some of the most effective meds for handling depression, actually increase the possibility of suicide in the first few weeks!

Poor bugger, them in the spotlight to the rest of us we think they have everything, Class footy player! RIP

[harrybarracuda]

DId he suffer from clinical depression or are you speculating?

[Bobcock]

Speculation. Certainly his close friends that are being interviewed are baffled, but as people say above, who knows???

[harrybarracuda]

Speculation. Certainly his close friends that are being interviewed are baffled, but as people say above, who knows???

No-one at present.

Perhaps his wife just told him she was leaving him. Maybe The Sun phoned to ask for his comments on a story they were going to run.

It doesn't have to be clinical depression, look at Peter Roebuck.

I'm sure the truth will out.

I just feel so desperately sorry for his wife and kids, he must have been busted up to be that desperate to leave them behind.

[sabaii sabaii]

I knew a lad who hanged himself. He did so 10 years to the day that his Dad had done the same thing

You never know what goes on in some peoples minds

[daveboy]

Sad he was one of footballs good guys, a great player and was on the verge of some thing great with the Welsh team may he rest in peace.

[harrybarracuda]

Sad he was one of footballs good guys, a great player and was on the verge of some thing great with the Welsh team may he rest in peace.

Well young Aaron Ramsey will be inconsolable, they had a fantastic rapport, and the team were playing the best they have for years.

[Chairman Mao]

Terribly sad.

Robert Enke, the German goalkeeper, also with a wife and young family jumped in front of a train before the last World Cup.

Both young, set up for life, wife and children, whatever it is that makes them do it is obviously quite powerful.

[harrybarracuda]

Oh dear, a minute's silence at Anfield for Brad Jones young son who died of Leukaemia, and for Gary Speed.

Spoiled by gobbing off from classless, thick Manchester Shitty fans.

Wankers.