Welsh Football Manager Gary Speed Found Dead at Cheshire Home

Welsh football is reeling this afternoon following the shock news that Gary Speed has passed away. At the tender age of 42, Speed was announced dead at 7.08am this morning at his home in Aldford Road, Huntington.

The FAW has called for respect to be shown to Gary Speed’s family at what is obviously a very sad time.

No details have been released regarding the cause of death but it is thought that Cheshire Police are not treating the incident as suspicious.

A statement released on the FAW’s website states; “The Football Association of Wales are sad to announce the death of the national team manager Gary Speed,”

“We extend our sympathies and condolences to the family.

“We ask that everyone respects the family’s privacy at this very sad time.”

Speed represented Leeds, Everton Newcastle, Bolton and Sheffield United during his playing days and is one of the Premier League’s record appearance makers; he also made an impressive 85 appearances for Wales.

Speed won the old  First Division title during his time with Leeds and was in fact the first man to make 500 appearances in the Premier League.

He moved into coaching at Sheffield United in 2010, before being handed the Welsh national team reins in December 2010. He had been making steady progress with the Welsh team with the side putting an impressive performance in against England and more recently thrashing Norway 4-1.

So impressive were Gary Speed’s contributions to the game of football that he was awarded the Member of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II in 2010.

Young Academic sends its deepest sympathies to Gary Speed’s family and we will indeed be mourning the loss of one of the Premier League’s true greats at a tragically young age. Rest in peace Gary Andrew Speed, MBE.