Such a shame. I couldn't believe it when I heard this morning. I met him personally during his time at Everton when he coached me a few times and I went to an awards evening with him.

He seemed to doing so well professionally, he'd certainly improved Wales dramatically. If it is confirmed it was due to a press story being released it's shocking. I would never buy a daily newspaper and I really can't see why anyone would. Pure evil.

Can't believe considering he was only a relatively young 42 that it was a full 20 years ago that a young Speed and Batty appeared from virtually nowhere to add their youthful enthusiasm to Utd's midfield to help them lift the title.

R.I.P Gifted Footballer and Gentleman.

If this is true, then this is another example of our press' "gobedness", and being obsessed with other people's lives.
IF (and it's a big if) Speed has commited an 'indiscression' , then, it has nothing to do with us. It's totally a family thing, and for them to deal with, not for some @@@@@@@ in an office to play judge and jury with somebody's life.

Again, if the press thing is true, OUR PRESS ARE TOTAL @@@@ers

RIP

A lot I agree with in this – although I would point out that the "state of mind" of the RL community didn't prevent Terry Newton taking his own life, so I don't think it's necessarily that simple.



It might be a news story if it was something criminal – before anyone comments, I'm not remotely suggesting he had done anything criminal, simply that that might provide a justification.

Now to emphasise – we don't know, as yet, why this happened, so this is largely speculation.

I would add, though, that not all the press behave so badly. It is largely a tabloid obsession. Not entirely, but largely.

Such a sad moment. Been down to Elland Road to lay down one of shirts for one of my all time heroes, and all round great guy. Looked to be doing great things at Wales. Shocked.

RIP Gary.

Is this true? Where have you heard this? PM me if you don't want to say in the thread.

I thought the campaign came after Terrys death.

Exactly. Brian Carney was a major mover in the campaign because of the loss of his mate.

In one of Robbie Savages interviews he said that Speed was alwaye there to help others, why coudn't he have just spoken to someone himself.

It did.

Was so shocked to hear the news this morning. Cannot imagine how desperate he would have to feel. His poor family.

Indeed. But in other words, it took a tragic loss of life to create a campaign.

That's not a criticism a all, BTW, but it suggests a traumatic path that requires a tragedy to trigger it.

Suicide doesn't just happen to people who know they have issues though. A women in my work lost her mother to suicide this year, she was happy as larry, had just seen the Grandchild she'd always wanted born and was really looking forward to a family holiday that she'd planned. One day she just stepped over the side of the motorway bridge she crossed almost daily, no one could believe it.

Absolutely.

SRI's can develop unchecked over years either by the person or their friends, then suddenly a trigger will set it all off, and within 10 mins the person has hung themselves at worst or broken down to someone they know etc...

Sadly it seems the more high profile a person is the more likely they don't confide in anyone.

Anyone who hasn't seen it, have a look at the article Stan Collymore wrote on his twitter about depression. It really brings it home and it is very poignant considering it was written yesterday.