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Sister pays tribute to Leeds United legend Gary Speed
MAY 2005. Gary Speed in action in Lucas Radebe's testimonial match.
Tragic Leeds United great Gary Speed’s sister has told of her anguish at the death of her lost loved one.
Speed’s relatives have been grieving in private since he was found hanged at his home in Cheshire on Sunday.
Now, though, his sister, Lesley Haylock, has taken to social networking website Twitter to pay tribute to him.
She wrote: “I have lost my brother, my friend, my inspiration. I hope you are at peace now Gary. I miss you so much.”
Married father-of-two Speed spoke lovingly about his family in an interview conducted shortly before his death, it emerged yesterday.
Talking to football magazine FourFourTwo, he said his wife Louise and their two children meant “everything” to him.
He told the magazine: “The item I cherish the most isn’t material. I don’t even know where my Leeds championship medal is. So I’d say family – we’re an item and they mean everything to me.”
Speed was a key figure in the Whites side that won the old First Division title in 1992 and also had spells with Everton, Newcastle, Bolton and Sheffield United.
Fans have been laying shirts and other tributes at the foot of Elland Road’s Billy Bremner statue since news broke of the 42-year-old’s death.
United supporters also paid their respects to their former number 11 by chanting his name for 11 minutes during their side’s 4-0 win at Nottingham Forest on Tuesday night.
Their efforts drew praise yesterday from football figures including ex-Arsenal and England striker Ian Wright.
He wrote on Twitter: “Leeds fans you were immense last night. Credit to your club.”
Speed’s former Wales team-mate John Hartson tweeted: “Leeds United fans absolutely brilliant last night with your tribute. Speedo would have been honoured by that. Superb!”
Supporters are being urged to pack out Elland Road for the club’s home game this Saturday against Millwall as a further tribute to Speed.
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Comments
There are 7 comments to this article
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OzTyke
Friday, December 2, 2011 at 03:02 AMUncle Ken seems genuinely surprised and moved by the feelings and warmth generated by the Leeds United this week. I don't think he'll have seen anything like it at Stamford Bridge. I reckon this last few days has been KB's Road to Damascus experience, and now we hear him willing the club to realise our collective dream of a return to the Promised Land "for the fans". Yes I almost fell off my chair too at that last bit, but I am hoping this is the start of a beautiful friendship between the Chairman and the supporters. Ken and especially Simon and Glynn, have conducted themselves extremely well during this difficult time, the collective goodwill and single-minded determination proved to one and all, what can be achieved when everyone at Leeds is "Marching on Together". It's an irrestistable force.
Sick of Kens lies
Thursday, December 1, 2011 at 09:17 PM@Leedsbulldog - thanks mate. I had to comment on this and i had to go back to ER this weekend.. I had mail sacks and sacks full of mail - from LUFC fans from all over the world, begging me to come back and comment on the YEP posts - so i did. This may, and only may, be the turning point of our season, lets hope that something so terrible can be used to really motivate and fire our team and club up. I am so looking forward to the Millwall game on Sat... Thanks for your comments Leeds Bulldog.
peacock
Thursday, December 1, 2011 at 08:49 PMi hope they build a statue of gary at er---e deserves it---maybe pappa smurf will donate ---we can hope
peacock
Thursday, December 1, 2011 at 08:44 PMi am 62 an supported leeds since 1966--i had the privelage to talk with gary several times a gentleman---a patr of me goes with me---r.i.p---you will truely be missed
LeedsBulldog
Thursday, December 1, 2011 at 06:31 PM1sibryan1979 2 things to say buddy, 1) im glad you are back- contributing again on here as i like to read your down to earth comments,- nice one. 2) Glad to hear you are off to ER again - after saying you wouldnt go while bates was there - im glad to hear it as you seem to know your Leeds united stuff and ER needs long term fans like you.see yer there Rip Gary MOT 4 EVA WHEREVER WHENEVER WHATEVER!!
Dave.superleeds.
Thursday, December 1, 2011 at 04:11 PMIt is so sad to see someone who you respect as a person pass away, but in our hearts the memories will always be there. I met Gary a few times and he was a genuine person, not the kind that let his money and fame go to his head. He was clearly saddened by something to make him take his own life but we will never know what that was. He doted on his family and all we can say to them is " sorry for your loss". We know everyone says that phrase but the genuine Leeds fans are feeling a little piece of your heartache. GOD BLESS GARY.
Sick of Kens lies
Thursday, December 1, 2011 at 12:41 PMI'd be really interested to know what really happened with Gary Speeds death, but i don't think that we will ever know for sure. Nothing seems to add up or make sense at all. He was on Football Focus on Sat and seemed full of beans, and then a few hours later he was found hanged. Very sad, very surprising and obviously totally unexpected.. It just goes to show that things aren't always as they seem; the guy had everything going for him, he was a family man, and he was fit and healthy - and that's what makes it so sad. It's the strangest, saddest, most shocking death i have heard of in my life. Alot of people think that the most important thing in life is about how much money you earn - totally wrong, that's just a bonus. It's about being alive and staying alive, no matter how low you feel - if you are alive and have breath in your lungs, you always have a chance; once you're gone you are gone for good and there's no return. No disrespect at all meant to Gary Speed, just my thoughts, still really sad and confused by the whole thing, but looking forward to going to ER on Sat. Lets whack Millwall on Saturday.
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