Grieving Grayson believes overwhelming response will help Gary Speed’s family cope with their loss

But the Leeds United manager also hopes that the outpouring of grief experienced by the Wales manager’s family on Saturday at Elland Road will help them cope in the weeks, months and years to come.

Speed’s brave widow Louise and the couple’s two sons, Ed and Tommy, were at the 2-0 win over Millwall as United honoured the memory of their former player with a minute’s applause and the laying of wreaths.

Supporters also turned the Billy Bremner statue into a shrine with hundreds of shirts, scarves and other mementoes having created a moving tribute.

Several members of the family, including Louise Speed, took the chance to visit the statue during half-time and spent around 15 minutes reading the various messages.

Grayson, who signed for Leeds on the same day as Speed when the pair were just 14-years-old, said: “Gary would probably have been embarrassed by all this.

“He was never one for being flamboyant, never anyone who went seeking attention. Gary just got on with things and he was a normal lad who had a good upbringing from his parents.

“If anybody could have turned into a big-time player after playing 500 times in the Premier League, it certainly wasn’t going to be Gary Speed.

“These tributes have come from across the country, Europe and worldwide. I don’t think anyone realised what a level of intensity there would be. It just shows what he was like as a player, a friend and a family member.”

On Speed’s family being at the game, Grayson added: “When I went up to see the family before kick-off they were really taken aback by the tributes around the Billy Bremner statue, and everything that has been said about him.

“They were extremely pleased with everything but it is still going to be a difficult time for them. They have lost a fantastic son, husband, dad and friend.

“They have got very difficult times ahead of them - over weeks, months, and years - but I am sure they will look back over the last week and feel immensely proud of what has happened.”

Grayson, as one of Speed’s oldest friends, has understandably been deeply affected by the events of the past week.

After both the Millwall game and Tuesday’s win at Nottingham Forest, he made a point of thanking supporters for the way in which they have paid their respects to his former team-mate.

He said: “People who know me know that I am not really an emotional person. This week has tested me but I have had the opportunity - luxury is not the right word - to focus on the games coming up.

“It has affected other people even worse than it has me because they have had nothing else to do apart from think about what has happened and ask questions.

“I have had to get my head on and it hasn’t sunk in. It probably won’t sink in for a long time. But at least I can look back and be very proud of what we have done for Gary.

“Our main aim has been to get into the Premier League. We want to be in the Premier League and my personal motivation was for myself and the football club.

“But there is another one now - a very close friend who I have lost.

United, who were without Ross McCormack due to his partner going into labour on Friday, are waiting to assess the injuries that forced Jonny Howson (knee) and Michael Brown (ankle) out of the Millwall win.

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