Football world in shock after Gary Speed found hanged

Police said there were “no suspicious circumstances” surrounding the death of the 42-year-old, who had been the manager of the Welsh national team.

Speed’s body was found at his home on the outskirts of Chester, less than 24 hours after he had appeared on television as a panellist on the BBC show Football Focus.

A spokeswoman for Cheshire Police said yesterday: “At 7.08am, 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.”

Sources confirmed the former midfielder, who last year became an MBE for services to football, was found hanged. He is survived by a wife and two children.

Police said a family tribute would be released at a later date.

Speed, the first player to make 500 appearances in the Premier League, was a member of the Leeds United squad which won the First Division Championship in 1991-92. He later played for Everton, Newcastle United and Bolton Wanderers before joining Sheffield United in 2008.

He returned to Bramall Lane as manager in 2010 but left the club after a few months to coach Wales, the country he represented 85 times as a player.

Supporters of Leeds United and Sheffield United yesterday left flowers, shirts and scarves in his memory. A spokesman for Leeds United said: “We are stunned to learn this news. The club expresses its deepest sadness. Gary was very well thought of throughout the game. He was a very likeable and popular man.”

Sheffield United said: “Everybody at Sheffield United is extremely shocked and saddened to learn of the death of former player and manager Gary Speed. Thoughts are with Gary’s family and friends at this distressing time.”

The Football Association of Wales announced the news of Speed’s death on its website and expressed its condolences to his relatives. It said: “We ask that everyone respects the family’s privacy at this very sad time.”

A Premier League match between Swansea City and Aston Villa went ahead as planned yesterday, although players were visibly upset by the news.

Before the game, fans were asked to “stand and remember Gary Speed with a minute’s silence” but instead broke into applause.

Welsh international player Craig Bellamy, a former team-mate of Speed, was withdrawn from the match between his club Liverpool and Manchester City.

Other players paid tribute to Speed on the Twitter website, including Manchester United and former England star Michael Owen, who wrote: “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 captain and Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey wrote: “To say I am devastated is an understatement... Today the world has lost a great football manager but even more sadly a great man. He will be missed by all.”

A Downing Street spokesman said David Cameron was “deeply saddened” to hear of Speed’s death. “The Prime Minister’s thoughts are with his family and friends on this very sad day for fans everywhere, especially in Wales,” the spokesman added.

Labour leader Ed Miliband described the death as tragic and shocking while Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones said it was “devastating” news.

• More tributes and reflections in Monday’s Yorkshire Post

GARY SPEED TIMELINE

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 Speed was 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 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.

Death of Leeds legend Gary Speed at 42

WALES manager and Leeds United legend Gary Speed has died, the Football Association of Wales have confirmed.