Monday 30 January 2012

Speed Inquest in Warrington


The inquest into the death of Wales football manager Gary Speed will be held in Warrington on Monday.

The 42-year-old was found hanged at his home in Huntington, near Chester, by his wife in November.

Friends and colleagues spoke of their shock and sadness following Speed's death, which came after a run of success with the Wales football team. His family have said they have been overwhelmed by the support they have received.

An inquest was previously opened and adjourned a couple of days after Speed's death.

The brief hearing was told that his wife Louise found her husband's body just before 07:00 GMT on 27 November and called the ambulance service, but police were not treating the death as suspicious.

The hearing was also told that reports were being awaited from the pathologist.

After news emerged of his death, tributes were paid to Speed from around the UK and the sporting world.

Football matches around the country held minute's silences and applause, while fans of his former clubs, including Leeds United, Everton and Newcastle United, left scarves, shirts, photos and flags in Speed's memory.

Tributes were also left at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff City Stadium and Wrexham's Racecourse Ground.

The Football Association of Wales announced a memorial international friendly game against Costa Rica in Cardiff, which will be held on 29 February.

He had earned the first of his 85 Welsh caps as a 20-year-old in a friendly against the Central American country in 1990.

The former Premier League star, who had two sons, went on to become Wales' most capped outfield player, captaining his country 44 times and scoring seven goals.

Before becoming Wales boss in December 2010, he enjoyed a distinguished career managing Sheffield United and playing for a variety of top clubs.

Earlier this month Speed's friend and former Wales teammate Chris Coleman was unveiled as the new Wales manager.