Fleet Street Dominated By Death Of Gary Speed As A Nation Pays Tribute

Gary Speed

Huffington Post UK   First Posted: 28/11/11 06:48 Updated: 28/11/11 07:05

The death of Wales Manager Gary Speed dominated Monday's newspapers as initial shock turned to grief.

"There's only 1 Gary Speed," splashed the The Sun with a full front page tribute to the former Everton and Newcastle United footballer.

The Daily Mirror led on details of his death with the headline: "Wife finds tragic Gary's body" while The Times focused on the emotions of fans and looked at the "Mystery over manager's death".

Huge photos of Speed were also splashed across all newspapers as tributes poured in.

The 42-year-old father of two was found hanged at his home on Sunday morning, just a day after appearing on live television and chatting to fellow footballing figures, who expressed shock and disbelief.

Tributes to the former Leeds United, Everton and Newcastle United midfielder poured in from a host of public figures, including Prime Minister David Cameron and First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones.

Cheshire Police confirmed that Speed's body was discovered at the property in Huntington, on the outskirts of Chester, and said there were "no suspicious circumstances". Sources said he was found hanged.

Speed, whose career on the pitch also included stints at Bolton Wanderers and Sheffield United, was appointed manager of Wales in December 2010 after retiring as a player in May last year. He took charge of Wales for the first time in February, with his last game as manager on November 12 when the team won 4-1 in a friendly against Norway.

On Saturday afternoon he appeared on BBC One's Football Focus show, and his friend and former footballer Robbie Savage said he had last spoken to him that day too. "The world has lost a great man in Gary Speed," he wrote in a heartfelt message on Twitter. "I'm devastated spoke to him yesterday morning why! Why. Why!! I'll miss him so much x".

Downing Street said Mr Cameron was "deeply saddened" to hear of the death of Speed, who was "greatly respected by football fans across the country both as a player and manager". A spokesman said: "The Prime Minister's thoughts are with his family and friends on this very sad day for fans everywhere, especially in Wales."

Mr Jones described it as "devastating news" and said: "I'm deeply saddened to hear about the death of Gary Speed." He added: "Our thoughts are with his family at what must be a very difficult time for them."

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The death of Wales Manager Gary Speed dominated Monday's newspapers as initial shock turned to grief. "There's only 1 Gary Speed," splashed the The Sun with a full front page tribute to the former ...
The death of Wales Manager Gary Speed dominated Monday's newspapers as initial shock turned to grief. "There's only 1 Gary Speed," splashed the The Sun with a full front page tribute to the former ...
 
 
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
chris784100
I try to see the good in people.
21:11 on 30/11/2011
What a selfish thoughtless thing to do to his family.
16:29 on 28/11/2011
The saddest and strangest thing is he gave an interview just hours before this tragedy occurred. I'm sure hearing the lovely words from fans will offer the family some small amount of comfort.
12:09 on 28/11/2011
a great player,
00:12 on 01/12/2011
Great player "not so sure", Nice guy "yes" Selfish "decidedly' Still very sad,
12:03 on 28/11/2011
VERY, VERY SAD. Being a football fan, i knew of Gary Speed, his ability and skills his passion, this was always evident when watching him play. But to listen to footballer's and ex-footballer's "pundits" describe him as a family man, friend, reliable and a joy to know, makes this a tragedy hard to comprehend. At times like this all thoughts go to the family left trying to piece together reasons for this tragedy "often blaming themselves" R.I.P. Mr Gary Speed, and every single one of us "press included" must repect privacy for the family grieve and mourn.
11:48 on 28/11/2011
Gary must have been in a really dark place - it is very very sad
11:33 on 28/11/2011
sleep well gary speed.it takes a brave soul to end ones own life.what torment you must have been going through no one will know.your name lives on forever.my heart goes out to your children and all your family .wales has lost a great man.
edvince
amstel
11:27 on 28/11/2011
US media could learn alot from the British media in how not to sensualize a tragic end to life for someone who was revered . Not in one report did you hear commentators announcing the death that he "hung" himself. A very respectful display of decency. The hacking controversy is a totally other issue.
19:54 on 29/11/2011
But here it is on a UK website.
edvince
amstel
09:25 on 30/11/2011
No Brit network news personality used the word hanging
11:26 on 28/11/2011
VERY SAD,

I think that we must be close to the crossroads in society when we start to look at what we have become as humans, are we creating the pressure cauldron that ulitmately leads to these desperate situations? I think the investigation into the phone hacking should make us all question what is it we really want from life or society?

Yes, we pour out our heartfelt sympathies and rightly so, but how long does it take before we are fuelling the fire for the latest scandal or crave the latest gossip. Football managers are subjected to cruel and viscious attacks when results go wrong, we might do well to remember that it is at the end of the day, just a game, and there are more important things in life!

I firmly believe that everything happens for a reason in this life, although the family, and all those that loved Gary Speed will have great difficulty in believing that there could be any justifiable reason.

I cant begin to make suggestions either, but perhaps we should search our own souls, realise that life is very fragile, humans are delicate and accept that what we have been given is more precious than what we dont have.

Lady MacBeth was consumed by her own greed, I often think there is a very valid and everlasting message to the rest of society in that story.

All that said, I hope that all who are grieving accept they have my deepest sympathies.
11:25 on 28/11/2011
So So Sad our thoughts go out to his family
11:25 on 28/11/2011
RIP Gary Speed. Condolences to his wife and lads. Still can't take it in. Not only a good footballer, but apparently an all round good sportsman and good fellow as well. All the best to the Welsh team, and keep playing as he wanted you to; dedicate your next series of wins to his memory.
11:10 on 28/11/2011
still in a sense of shock, a live TV show on a Saturday and then to this...
11:05 on 28/11/2011
Just goes to show that although a happy and funny person..... NO ONE knows what a person is suffering once the front door of their home is closed.
I am so sorry for the family left behind. R I P
11:00 on 28/11/2011
Like many who aren't interested in football I have no idea who this man was but I am sorry he felt the need to end his life. Such a waste.
09:43 on 28/11/2011
so sad to hear to hear the news about gary speed he was a fantastic player and manager a great great loss to the football world had so much to give to football my thoughts are with his family and friend ..r.i.p gary god bless you ...( liverpool fan )
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