Popular Post bannedfromHandV Posted November 26, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted November 26, 2021 10 years since Gary Speed took his own life. Its one of just a handful of days I can clearly remember, still able to tap into the emotions of it all and how bewildered, upset and angry I felt. Looking at it purely from a footballing perspective I just couldn’t understand it, we’d (Wales) began to make strides under him, we’d started looking like the kind of side that would, some years later, go on to qualify for, and reach the semi finals of a major tournament, much of what we went on to achieve under Coleman was started by Speed, and I think in some perverse way, his death proved to be a catalyst for our subsequent and relative levels of success. On the human side of it, things made even less sense, a successful person, well off in terms of financial stability, a young family (two kids) and someone who appeared to be universally liked both inside and outside of the sport. But then, I guess you never can know what’s going on in a persons life. That day will live with me and I think most if not all Welsh supporters for the rest of our days, I remember we (Villa) played Swansea away on the day the news broke, an early kick off too IIRC, that game should never have gone ahead, not least because it involves Swansea who had a number of players involved with Wales, I remember it being a bore draw, neither side wanted to be out there and even as a fan, I remember reluctantly watching it. An absolute legend, lost far too soon. 22 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Zen Posted November 27, 2021 Share Posted November 27, 2021 I was in Swansea, at the game, that day. Surreal experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brumstopdogs Posted November 27, 2021 Share Posted November 27, 2021 Worth a listen to if you haven't already. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevo985 Posted November 27, 2021 VT Supporter Share Posted November 27, 2021 It’s just proof that depression and mental illness doesn’t care if you’ve got a nice life, or you’re successful, or you’ve got lots of money 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VillaChris Posted November 27, 2021 Share Posted November 27, 2021 (edited) Horrible day. Can remember vividly listening to 5 live and the presenter being in complete shock when he had to read it out as breaking news. Game v Swansea should've been postponed. Credit to likes of Given and James Collins for playing given how close they were to him. Someone who was pretty much respected by everyone. Edited November 27, 2021 by VillaChris 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Villatillidie95 Posted November 27, 2021 Share Posted November 27, 2021 A really sad day, I can't believe it was 10 years ago now. I remember a lot of the players on both teams having links to the wales team or had been former teammates of Gary Speed, James Collins, Shay Given etc. Time has flown by but Gary Speed was a solid midfielder and yes a lot of the success the welsh team achieved in later years was down to Gary Speed. Swansea did have a really good team that year and I also remember it was the beginning of our decade long fall from grace really. A horrible time all round for many reasons. RIP Gary Speed 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mantis Posted November 27, 2021 Share Posted November 27, 2021 Remember that day. Shay Given was in tears before the Swansea game IIRC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YLN Posted November 27, 2021 Share Posted November 27, 2021 (edited) My wild speculation in the context of the following post is not a great look. Withdrawn Edited November 27, 2021 by YLN 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deano & Dalian's Umbrella Posted November 27, 2021 Share Posted November 27, 2021 (edited) Although Gary Speed's family made a firm point of saying there was no evidence that he was abused by paedophile youth football coach Barry Bennell, he was interviewed by police about Bennell twice before his death. Gary Speed was one of 4 players coached by Bennell to have killed themselves. One of Bennell's victims has stated he is 99.9% sure that Speed was also one of Bennell's victims. If you google "Gary Speed" and "Barry Bennell", you will see quite a few articles about it. I first googled it after watching the 3-part BBC documentary "Football's Darkest Secret" in which Gary Speed's name was mentioned. It is worth watching and is on Iplayer but I spent a lot of time crying while watching it and it really knocked me about. Edited November 27, 2021 by Deano & Dalian's Umbrella Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperTed Posted November 28, 2021 Share Posted November 28, 2021 Remember an interview Sky did with Bryn Law which ended with him saying he’d text Speed asking him to give him a call, which he sadly never received and Law just completely breaks down on air Such a shame man. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJ_Villain Posted November 29, 2021 Share Posted November 29, 2021 22 hours ago, SuperTed said: Remember an interview Sky did with Bryn Law which ended with him saying he’d text Speed asking him to give him a call, which he sadly never received and Law just completely breaks down on air Such a shame man. I remember that interview… It’s heartbreaking to watch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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