Gone but never forgotten……..
Hello all. It’s quite late, I know, and I imagine you are reading this on Wednesday morning. But Tuesday was the one year anniversary of the very shocking passing of Gary Speed.
I remember when I heard the news. I had just got out of bed, banged the telly on and then the story broke. I just couldn’t understand it. I don’t think that I even believed it. Gary Speed; a man with the world at his feet, a wife and two kids, adored by thousands across two countries; dead at 42.
Depression is a wicked thing, it eats people and those closest to them up from the inside. It didn’t surprise me that a man with such professionalism appeared to be fine to the world. Many people would have walked into battle for Speedo, and it’s such a loss that his condition meant that he had to fight his battle alone.
Nobody can or should speculate as to why what happened did happen, but what Speedo’s death did do is highlight an issue that affects many sportsmen after their playing careers, even if they are still involved in the game. I hope his death means that others will live on and overcome their struggle.
Football lost a great man. We all have our memories of him; my favourite being his free kick against Liverpool. The way the football community stuck together after his death showed he will never be forgotten. There will never be a player quite like him again, a loyal servant to the Wanderers, Newcastle, Leeds, Sheffield United, Everton and the Welsh national team. RIP Speedo.
Your next article comes in the form of a Quentin X preview of the Blackburn match. I will return in our victorious match report come Thursday.