Alan Shearer Shocked and Numb At Speed's Death

Alan Shearer has spoken for the first time about the death of his close friend Gary Speed, the former Newcastle and England striker has been left feeling numb since the news that his former team-mate had committed suicide while at home yesterday morning with various news sources revealing the player hung himself.

Alan Shearer was with Gary Speed on Saturday on television before he headed off to Old Trafford to watch Manchester United play Newcastle, which is now the last time he saw Gary Speed.

Shearer said: "We were arranging next weekend. He was coming up to stay at my house with his wife and we were going up to various charity dinners on Friday and Saturday.

"We left the studio at half past two and I walked over to Old Trafford  to go and watch Newcastle.  I shook his hand and said, 'see you next weekend' - and unfortunately I won't.

"It's incredible. I'm still numb and still shocked like everyone else. You read things in the newspaper and it doesn't happen to one of your best mates.

"I'm just so sad and shocked and feel for (Speed's wife) Louise and his two boys and mum and dad."

Recalling his last moment with his close friend Shearer added: "I was with him and he was happy and joking and we were having a normal mickey-take like we do out of each other, and having a laugh and a joke about our golf trips and holidays that we went on together last year, and planning our next holiday in Portugal next summer with our families and kids."

Shearer became close friends with Gary Speed when Kenny Dalglish signed the Welshman at Newcastle, with Shearer describing his team-mate as "a great footballer and a model pro".

Shearer added: "You're bound to have arguments along the way in football, but no-one ever did with Gary - no-one had a bad word for him.

"He was an incredible guy who you could rely and depend on. Everyone loved him... he was loved because that's the type of guy that he was - he got on with everyone and everyone respected him."

Family Of Gary Speed Overwhelmed By The Support

The family of Gary Speed has today released their first statement through his agent Hayden Evans, who was also the best man at the 42-year-old's wedding where the family stated they are “overwhelmed by the support“ by the received following the death of the former Welsh manager.

Gary Speed committed suicide at his home in Huntingdon yesterday morning leaving it a mystery as to why the 42-year-old felt that he needed to take his own life, tributes have been flooding in for the former Wales, Leeds, Everton,  Newcastle,  Bolton and Sheffield United  midfielder from across the world.

Hayden Evans said: "Gary's family would sincerely like to thank all the people that have sent messages of condolence and tributes in what is a very difficult time.

"We have been overwhelmed by the support and it really has helped.

"We would ask that the family are now given the respect of some privacy to just grieve on their own."

Earlier Gary McAllister who is deeply shocked by the death of Speed, insisted after they appeared on television together at the weekend that "there were no signs” that Speed had troubles.

"Alan Shearer  broke the news to me (yesterday) and it turned me to jelly," said the Scotsman on Monday.
"I couldn't believe what he was saying. It shook me to the bones; I was in shock for most of the day.

"Twenty minutes before we went on air on Saturday, he was the normal Gary Speed to me.

"He was very excited about the prospects of the Welsh national team and was upbeat, looking class, immaculately presented. He was a movie star in my eyes.

"With no competitive Wales games until February, we were talking about getting some golf organised.

"There were no signs, nothing to suggest he was troubled. He looked well and things are going well for him at the moment. I could never have thought that 10-12 hours after I saw him I'd be getting that news. It's a nightmare."

"I couldn't see anything in Gary that suggested he was depressed or had any feeling of anxiety. He was just the Gary Speed that I know."

Gary Speed Dies Aged 42

The Welsh FA has today confirmed the sad news that Gary Speed has passed away.  No official details have been released regarding the cause of death and the Welsh FA has called on respect to be shown to Speed’s family at this sad time.

Initial reports claim that the former Leeds, Everton and Newcastle star was found hanged at his home, according to a statement from Cheshire Police.

"At 7.08am this morning, Sunday 27 November, police were informed of an incident at Aldford Road, Huntington. Officers went to the scene where a 42-year-old man was found dead. There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death and next of kin have been informed," the statement added. It looks very much as if the cause of death may be determined as suicide.

Speed helped guide Wales to three successive victories in his short spell as manager. Initial reports claim that the former Leeds, Everton and Newcastle star was found hanged at his home, according to a statement from Cheshire Police.

The FA of Wales confirmed the news in a statement.

"We extend our sympathies and condolences to the family. We ask that everyone respects the family's privacy at this very sad time."

Gary Speed Appointed Wales Manager

The Welsh Football Association has announced that Gary Speed has taken up the vacant position as the National team coach, Speed’s club Sheffield United gave the Welsh FA permission to speak with Speed and the former international player was selected ahead of Chris Coleman, John Hartson, Brian Flynn and former Sweden manager Lars Largerback to the position.

Gary Speed’s only management positon has come within the last four months at Sheffield United, many will feel that he may lack experience at coaching level and Speed's first task will be to help get Wales off the foot of their Euro 2012 qualifying group.

Speaking on his appointment, he said: "It's something that's very difficult to turn down when your country comes calling. I'm a very proud man at this moment to be asked to be the manager of Wales."

On Leaving from Bramall Lane, he said: "These things happen in football, where the timing's not always great.

"I was disappointed to leave Sheffield United because I feel I had a job to do there and was fully committed but obviously when your country comes calling it's a tough decision you have to make. I feel in my heart it's the right one.

"To be fair to them they've been fantastic throughout and made the decision really easy for me.

"I'd like to thank Sheffield United for the opportunity I've been given there both as a coach under Kevin Blackwell and then as a manager."