R.I.P. Gary Speed

I cannot let the day end without commenting on the death of Gary Speed today on Sunday 27th November 2011. I have no clear memory of him as a player but I remember him as a professional. To me it seemed as if Speedy had always been there and was always going to be there and...I'm still in shock at the news now. He was one of the true gentlemen of Football and will be sadly missed by all.

Tributes to Gary Speed:

Ryan Giggs - "I am totally devastated. Gary Speed was one of the nicest men in football and someone I am honoured to call a team-mate and friend. It goes without saying my thoughts are with his family at this tremendously sad time."

Robbie Savage - "The world has lost a great man in Gary speed I'm devastated spoke to him yesterday morning why ! Why. Why !! I'll miss him so much x. He come to watch strictly [Strictly Come Dancing] 3/4 weeks ago I high fived him in the front row he loved the show ,he loved life he loved his family ! Devastated".

Alan Shearer - "Gary was a magnificent person, bright, fun and a wonderful family man - he lit up every room he walked into. I am proud to have been his friend and will miss him dreadfully."

Mark Hughes - "I'm devastated. He was a privilege to work alongside and call a friend, my thoughts are with his family."

Bobby Gould - "I'm stunned and a few tears have been shed. It is so sad."

Howard Wilkinson - "He had so much to offer as a person and as a sportsman. I just find it unbelievable. I cannot start to try to understand what his family are going through. Gary had a lot of talent and that talent became his job. Footballers are subject to all the stress and strains of things that happen in life. He was a star in the truest sense. For him at 42 to leave us is such a tragic loss. He had a life of success to look forward to."

Simon Grayson - "We signed on the same day and played in the youth and reserve teams together. We also did all our coaching badges together. He was a good friend and this is a very sad day. Gary was such a popular person and this is a hard time for everybody."

Kenny Dalglish - "I knew Gary Speed as a fantastic footballer but more important than that he was a decent man and there will be a lot of people very saddened by what has happened. The most important people at the moment are his wife and two boys and your heart goes out to them. They will need as much support as they can possibly get in the immediate future and I'm sure they will get that because he had an awful lot of friends because he was a good, decent guy."

Osian Robert (Wales Assistant Manager) - "It is tragic news, totally unbelievable. We looked forward to Wales camps because he led by example from the front, making people work harder, demanding more and everyone wanted to do their best because he was a generous person. I know I speak for everyone when I say everyone in the Welsh camp is devastated."

Jonathan Ford (FAW Chief Executive) - "I, and all of the football family of Wales, am devastated by the news of Gary's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife and family at this difficult time."

Phil Pritchard (FAW President) - "I am completely shocked by this terrible news and my thoughts are with his family. We will do whatever we can as an association to help them in this difficult time. All our thoughts are with his family and this sad time."

Dean Saunders - "I just can't believe it. I spoke to him last week. We roomed together all of our careers with Wales. I just can't get my head around it. It's incredible. He's so level-headed. You never saw him down in the dumps. He was just a really nice fella. I'm just thinking about his wife and his lads."

Mark Bowen - "Like the rest of the footballing community I am totally stunned. My thoughts are with his family it's hard to put into words. He trained like he played, he gave it 100%, he lived his life right off the field in terms of nutrition, which was new to a lot of us in those days. I'll remember seeing the smiling look on his face in the tunnel after the last Wales game."

Aaron Ramsey - "I was given the tragic news this morning. To say I am devastated is an understatement. My thoughts and prayers go out to Gary's family and friends. Today the world has lost a great football manager but even more sadly a great man. He will be missed by all."

From Downing Street - "The Prime Minister was deeply saddened to hear of the death of Gary Speed, who was greatly respected by football fans across the country both as a player and manager. The Prime Minister's thoughts are with his family and friends on this very sad day for fans everywhere, especially in Wales."

FIFA President Sepp Blatter - "Gary Speed was a hugely talented player and a great servant for both club and country who will be greatly missed. He will always be remembered as a model professional and a fantastic ambassador for the game. Having attended the draw for 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ qualification, it was clear to all there that he was a man who exuded enthusiasm and passion for the game."

Kevin Davies - "It's very much a shock and I'm finding it hard to come to terms with it all. I had Ivan Campo and Stelios ring me earlier today - they were upset and wanted to offer their condolences to Gary's family. It's like a bad dream. I was a room-mate with Gary when he was at the club. He is a legend in football and what he achieved with Bolton was fantastic. He was very good in the dressing room and he got along with everyone. He was the ultimate professional, a born winner who always gave his all. While he was with Bolton he started taking his coaching badges and being the type of person he was, we knew that he would succeed in that part of the game, and he was starting to forge out a successful career as a manager. He was such a popular player, not just at the clubs he represented but the whole football world in general. Everyone has been saying what a great guy he was and that he always had time for people. It's a sad day for football."

Stewart Regan (SFA Chief Executive) - "I am shocked and saddened to hear of the tragic death of Gary Speed. Craig Levein and I were with him last week at the World Cup fixtures meeting in Brussels and he was in good spirits. Our thoughts go out to Gary's family, and our friends at the Football Association of Wales at this desperately sad time."

Craig Levein - "Football has lost a real talent and a gentleman; Gary was a young manager with the world at his feet. Stewart Regan and I were laughing and joking with him just last week. He was doing some fantastic work with the Welsh national team and I was looking forward to pitting my wits against him over the next couple of years. My deepest sympathies go out to Gary's family and the football community in Wales."

Michael Owen - "Just cannot believe the news regarding Gary Speed. We waved at each other a couple of days ago dropping our kids off at school. I'm numb. He has died aged 42. So sad. He lived local to me and we knew his family. He leaves behind 2 sons. Tragic."

Gary Neville - "He was a fantastic professional, who was a winner. It's absolutely devastating. We think of football sometimes being important, but it's not really."

Tim Cahill - "Gary Speed was the ultimate pro on and off the pitch. So sad to lose someone so special to Football,Friends,Fans,Family Rest in Peace mate."

Ian Taylor - "Locked horns with Gary Speed on many occasions and was a complete gentleman on and off the pitch. Can't get my head round him being gone."

Gaizka Mendieta - "Shocked after hearing Gary Speed sad news!! I played a few times against him...Great player and great guy!My condolences to the family.#RIP"

Golfer Lee Westwood - "So sad to hear about Gary Speed. A true pro and really nice fella. RIP Gary Speed."

Leed United FC - "We are stunned to learn this news. The club expresses its deepest sadness, Gary was very well thought of throughout the game. He was a very likeable and popular man."

Sheffield United FC - "Everybody at Sheffield United is extremely shocked and saddened to learn of the death of former player and manager Gary Speed. Thoughts are with Gary's family and friends at this distressing time."

Newcastle United FC - "The board, manager, staff and players of Newcastle United FC are today deeply saddened to learn of the tragic death of Gary Speed. Gary was an inspirational and much-loved player at Newcastle United during his time with the club from 1998 to 2004, making 285 appearances and scoring 40 goals. He was an excellent servant to the club, the ultimate professional, and an exceptional role model for younger players. Gary will be deeply missed by everyone at Newcastle United. Our condolences go out to his family at this very sad time."

English FA - "It is with great sadness that The FA has learned of the passing of Gary Speed. The thoughts of everybody at The FA are with his family and friends at this time. Gary had many friends at The FA, who are truly saddened by this news."

And I could probably go on all night.