Tributes continue for Speed

Tributes have continued to flood in for Gary Speed after the Wales manager was found hanged on Sunday morning.

Former Leeds manager Howard Wilkinson led the tributes to Speed as the football world comes to terms with the death of the 42-year-old. Cheshire Police confirmed Speed was found dead at his home on the outskirts of Chester, and said there were no suspicious circumstances. Sources confirmed Speed was found hanged. Wilkinson viewed Speed, who he managed while guiding Leeds to the 1992 First Division title, as a "star in the true sense". "The players I worked with represented all colours of the rainbow in terms of character, but in Gary's case he was a star in the true sense," Wilkinson told BBC Radio Five Live. "I've known Gary since 1988 when I joined Leeds and I've rarely come across a better balanced, lovely, genuine person. "He was a terrific player - not as gifted as some but he made the most of everything he had." Current Leeds manager Simon Grayson, who signed at Leeds on the same day as Speed as a 14-year-old and had been a close friend of the former midfielder, spoke of his sadness. "(On Sunday) We were at the training ground preparing for the game against Nottingham Forest and somebody rang me," Grayson told Sky Sports News. "It was just an amazement, it left you all cold and with a feeling of sickness. "We're the same age, 28 years we've been together on coaching courses, playing against each other and apprentices together and that's why it's such a tragedy for everybody." He added: "We were both 14-year-old boys (when we signed for Leeds) that came through innocent at the time and 28 years later still remained very close friends and that's why it's an unbelievably sad day, for everybody who knew Gary. "His family, it's such a shock to everybody in general because he was such a wonderful person, a fantastic footballer and apart from being a fantastic footballer he was a role model for everybody out there and that's why everybody is so saddened by the news. "You can put aside the football aspects, because that's our job at times, but he was a fantastic person. He had time for everybody; he'd go out of his way for people, young or old. "This is why there's so many people mourning the death of such a lovely person. He'll be sorely missed." Speed played at Elland Road between 1988 and 1996, helping Leeds to the First Division title in 1992. Grayson hopes the Whites can get a win when they face Forest on Tuesday evening as a tribute to the late manager. "We'd love to get a victory for him and that will be the same at every football club he represented," he said. "Whichever club he did represent he gave his all, he was a fantastic servant and probably one of the best Premier League players. "There won't be a fan out there of the opposition who disliked Gary Speed as a footballer or a person." Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish spoke of his sadness at the news and took the decision to withdraw Craig Bellamy from Sunday's 1-1 draw with Manchester City. Bellamy, 32, had rejuvenated his international career under his former Newcastle and Wales team-mate Speed. "Gary was like a mentor to 'Bellars'. Bellars was a bit upset with what was going on and I took the decision myself," said Dalglish. "There are more important things than playing a football match. "I know Gary Speed. He was a fantastic footballer but more importantly he was a decent fellow." An emotional Robbie Savage, who played alongside Speed for Wales across nine years, admitted he was struggling to comprehend the sudden death of his close friend. "I spoke to him on Saturday morning. We were laughing and joking. He was in high spirits. I can't believe it," he told BBC News. "He came to Strictly Come Dancing three or four weeks ago and he and his wife sat with us. "After my routine I high-fived him and we had a drink in the bar afterwards. He was larger than life. "He is my mate and he's gone. I'd grown very close to him in the last few years. "He's left two gorgeous kids behind and a beautiful wife. He had everything." Savage was one of many former team-mates to honour the memory of the Speed, who was highly respected as a player and had made a promising start as a manager. His former clubs also spoke warmly of him as they gave their reaction to the news. West Ham manager Sam Allardyce also paid tribute to Speed, both as a player and a person. "I was fortunate to take Gary to Bolton," Allardyce told BBC Radio Five Live. "At that stage he was a young 34 and most people were saying he was getting past it, but in actual fact his stats were absolutely outstanding. "As soon as he walked into the club he had an aura. He did everything to detail. When generally an old professional might moan and groan and say 'I don't want to do this' he just took it on board. "I was also fortunate to get to know him as a person. He was an outstanding individual and this is what's devastating. "His life was about standards, he had a high standard for everything that he did. To sum it up, if you had a daughter and she brought Gary Speed home you'd be delighted." Football Association of Wales chief executive Jonathan Ford hailed Speed's influence on the national team since becoming manager in December last year. "When we went through the selection process Gary wasn't necessarily the most experienced manager there, but he had some fantastic qualities," Ford said. "He was a true professional, a fantastic gentleman and he got the players where they wanted to be, they wanted to play for him and it wasn't just players - it was the fans, the staff, everybody around him. It's such a sad loss. "I was with him at the draw (for World Cup qualifying) and we looked at each other when each of those teams came out and agreed every one of those matches was winnable. "The future was bright, the last few games were packed with positivity. We were on a roll and there was a great optimism about the place that the team had a fantastic opportunity to qualify for 2014."Gordon Strachan, who starred alongside Speed, Gary McAllister and David Batty in a Leeds midfield which was the foundation of a 1991-92 first division title win, said he was stunned by the news. He told BBC Radio 5 Live: "People have problems in footy where you have an indication that something is wrong, but this one is right out of the blue. "I trained beside him for six years at Leeds and I was proud of Gary Speed every time I saw him play or train. "He wasn't the most talented of kids when I first saw him but he wanted to make himself better. "I used to say to players 'If you want to look at somebody to see how to be a footballer, look at Gary Speed'. He got the most out of what he had. "I am going to miss his laugh. He had a child-like laugh. I'll forget the goals but I will never forget his laugh. I said to Gary McAllister, 'I'm never going to hear that again'." Everton manager David Moyes and chairman Bill Kenwright both paid their tributes to Speed, who was at Goodison Park from 1996 to 1998. Moyes, who became manager in 2002, told evertonfc.com: "Gary was a great servant to Everton during his time at Goodison and myself and the rest of the squad were as shocked as the rest of the footballing world when we heard the news. "It's hard to understand and obviously the thoughts and prayers of everyone connected with the club are with the family at what is a very difficult time." Kenwright, who has been on the board at Everton since 1984, added: "Gary was everything a footballer should aspire to be. "Committed but elegant, hard-working but full of style, a player who didn't know how to give anything other than 100% to the football club he played for. "He loved football as much as football loved him and will be hugely missed as a player, a manager and a man. "Everyone at Everton Football Club - fans, coaches, players, staff and directors - send their deepest condolences to Gary's family at this desperately sad time."