Feck! Gary Speed has died

[PRC1964]

As someone who got into football after Speed stopped playing, can someone explain why he's so special? The amount of discussion makes it seem more than simply someone died young.

Are we talking the equivalent of Beckham? Or Linekar? Or Best?

Serious question... I'd heard of him but not of his special status.

No, he was never as talented as them. But he made up for it by working his bollocks off on the pitch and by being a decent person off it.

Howard Wilkinson puts it well: "He was a terrific footballer, not as naturally gifted as some, but he worked so hard, listened to advice and made the very most of everything he had. As a man, I've rarely come across a better, more balanced or more genuine person."

Howard Wilkinson on Gary Speed: 'He leaves a huge, huge void' | Football | The Guardian

[Zippy]

The guy had a very successful playing career, captained his country, had a young family and seemed to be heading for a very successful second career as a manager. The guy had everything that most of us could ever want but in spite of all that, he seems to have killed himself. That is the tragedy and you don't need to have known him to feel sorry.

[stek]

As someone who got into football after Speed stopped playing, can someone explain why he's so special? The amount of discussion makes it seem more than simply someone died young.

Are we talking the equivalent of Beckham? Or Linekar? Or Best?

Serious question... I'd heard of him but not of his special status.

I think really it's the total shock. But having said that my memories are of 'a good guy' - never a bad word, never a 'star' - in fact during his Wanderers career when I did go most of the time I never myself, or heard anyone boo him, or chastise him for a bad pass, he was the antithesis of all the sordid stuff footballers do now. For me at least unless there is 'something' to come out.

More than anything though, I liked him, or his persona, who really knows, and I'm not the only one.

He was a solid player, not a superstar, but like I say, you'd never have a go at him, because he never let himself or the team down on the pitch that I can remember at least, or off it.

Frank Worthington was a great player but I/we used to call him like fook...

Stan Collymore recently admitted to suffering from depression and has alluded to Speedo maybe suffering too, I suffered with it so I know it's a bugger, but to top yourself, either it has to be severe and surely would have had some treatment. I really don't know what to say.

Devastated, dunno why like I say he wasn't my mate or owt, it just feels like 'foooking hell' moment...

[Cliphead]

I think really it's the total shock. But having said that my memories are of 'a good guy' - never a bad word, never a 'star' - in fact during his Wanderers career when I did go most of the time I never myself, or heard anyone boo him, or chastise him for a bad pass, he was the antithesis of all the sordid stuff footballers do now. For me at least unless there is 'something' to come out.

More than anything though, I liked him, or his persona, who really knows, and I'm not the only one.

He was a solid player, not a superstar, but like I say, you'd never have a go at him, because he never let himself or the team down on the pitch that I can remember at least, or off it.

Frank Worthington was a great player but I/we used to call him like fook...

Stan Collymore recently admitted to suffering from depression and has alluded to Speedo maybe suffering too, I suffered with it so I know it's a bugger, but to top yourself, either it has to be severe and surely would have had some treatment. I really don't know what to say.

Devastated, dunno why like I say he wasn't my mate or owt, it just feels like 'foooking hell' moment...

"You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to stek again."

[stek]

"You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to stek again."

I got that earlier with another post!

[Arturo Bassick]

1st man to make 500 premiership appearances, 85 (?) caps for his country. Hard working and dedicated player.
There are few footballers who can be pointed to as a role model.
Gary Speed was one of them.
When his playing career ended he moved into management and punditry and was becoming equally successful at those.
Just to hear the praises from fans of every colour shows how he was respected.
Men like him do not come around too often.
He was also a proud and happy family man.

It is a shame that a man with so much would take his own life.

[FiveTimes]

Great player. Sad loss.

Midfield dynamo during his Newcastle and Everton years. From watching football focus it was nice to see him and Gary Mac having a chat about their Leeds days and when they won the league. I wonder if that tipped him over the edge ??

Its amazing the amount of players, managers that have had some sort of dealing with him.

[psychocandy]

Really really sad.....

[Doggy Styles]

Are we talking the equivalent of Beckham? Or Linekar? Or Best?

Serious question... I'd heard of him but not of his special status.

Not a great like Best or Lineker. And definitely not a Beckham or that type - Speed didn't work on being a celebrity, so he was never over-rated.

What you saw was what you got - a good, dedicated premiership footballer and an ordinary bloke. A football fans' footballer.