Phil SumblerSunday 27th November 2011. One of those days where you simply remember exactly where you were when you heard the news. The day that Welsh football lost one of its own sons and the day when events on the pitch simply didn’t matter.
For me I was sat in Starbucks opposite the stadium. I was with my 8 year old daughter having a drink before watching the latest chapter in our Premier League story. My phone lit up on the table with a Sky Sports breaking news story. I glanced down and glanced away. Momentarily. I picked the phone up and read again and could not believe the headline that Wales manager Gary Speed had passed away. There had to be some mistake surely.
It had been less than a year since he was appointed Wales manager, it was only just over two weeks on from his last match with Wales – a 4-1 friendly win over Norway and Wales were on the up – climbing from an all time ranking low of 117 earlier that year to a place in the top 50. Wales were progressing in the right way and Speed was the man who was taking them there.
We read the reports, we looked at some of the early social media tributes and we made our way to the Liberty in a state of shock. Of course we were not alone, the tragedy was the discussion point of everyone you spoke to that day. Why had this happened – maybe more so as more details of what happened started to come out via various media forms.
The match started as a total tribute to a footballing legend. Welsh internationals on both side, Shay Given breaking down in tears and a spontaneous chanting of Speed’s name marked one of the saddest occasions I have ever witnessed at a football match. This was a game that simply did not matter and it is a game that I remember very little of beyond that minute’s tribute.
Speed played 85 times for his country, 44 of them as captain and was manager of both Sheffield United and Wales during an all too short career in the hot seats. He scored 135 goals in 841 club games that spanned just five clubs and of course there was his part in a league winning season at Elland Road in the last season before the start of the Premier League.
Cup final appearances and seven goals for his country just do statistical evidence to a career that was excellent and he was one of the best known faces in the early years of the Premier League and one of the most respected players to boot. And, of course, he was the first player to appear 500 times in the Premier League, a feat he achieved in 2006.
The tributes were loud and strong in respect of the man himself and weren’t contained to just football
Downing Street spokesman: “The Prime Minister was deeply saddened to hear of the death of Gary Speed, who was greatly respected by football fans across the country. The Prime Minister’s thoughts are with Gary Speed’s family and friends on this very sad day for fans everywhere, especially in Wales.”
Wales Rugby Union statement: “The thoughts of everyone involved in rugby are with you all at this sad time. Wales has lost a great sportsman, a true gentleman and a man who was working extremely hard and succeeding to deliver a bright future for Welsh football.”
Golfer Ian Poulter: “So sad to here the news of Gary Speed. RIP. life was taken to quickly you will be missed by all. Thoughts are with the family.”
Cricketer Graeme Swann: “I can’t believe the news about Gary Speed, used to love watching him play for Newcastle.”
Athlete Jessica Ennis: “Such sad news about Gary Speed. It’s awful. My thoughts are with his family.”
Since Speed’s passing, Wales have of course qualified for two European Championship finals. Whilst he may not have seen it it was that work he started back in 2011 that was laying the foundations for the best period in Welsh international football. For that reason alone, Welsh football will never forget Gary Speed and nor should they want to.
So whilst you all remember what you were doing on 27th November 2011, stop for a second today and remember a Welsh legend and what he meant to the game, not just in Wales, but around the whole footballing fraternity.
RIP Gary, we’ll not forget you.
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