RIP Gary Speed

[Prufrock]

I want to post an Archer comment in reply to your first sentence but here certainly isn't the place.

As for the second part I agree completely, or course there will be a reason, or reasons, but what has stunned me today is the ugly undertones to what a minority of idiot posters on news stories have posted. There were people suggesting it was his fault, or that he must have had some big shameful event he was trying to hide. That's possible, but it is just as easily possible he had found out he had cancer or some other horrendous situation and I don't think people should be speculating on the whys when they have absolutely no knowledge and a young family is in shock. Just a sad sad day.

[bristolwanderer]

R.I.P Gary.

[ChrisC]

People will speculate as to why Gary did this but for me personally I couldn't give a shite because its non of my business.. all that matters to me is what he did on the pitch.. I was honoured to see such a fantastic player and role model wear our badge on his chest and respect it in every way..

R.I.P Gary.

[One Hump Or Two?]

A lynchpin of the best BWFC team in my lifetime, and obviously one of life's good guys.

It's just awful to imagine him in so much mental anguish, that he felt he had to take his own life.

[Little Green Man]

Heard the dreadful news at lunchtime. I can't remember the last time I've been so gobsmacked by the death of a public figure. Simply awful...

[Gooner Girl]

Very sad. feel for his wife and kids.

[jaffka]

Horrible news, RIP Gary and may peace be with your family.

[wanderers_on_tour]

One of the first ex-wanderers that has died in my lifetime who I have fond memories from enjoying in the flesh. I'm not trying to compare the impact of both deaths but although I, like everyone else on here, felt the death of Nat Lofthouse for what he did for the club in the past and his continued legacy the death of Gary hit me alot, lot worse. Maybe it's due to the circumstances, the family he left behind or how well and happy he looked on football focus only yesterday but today's news couldn't have hit any worse.

Top player, brilliant leader but after holding back the tears listening to Robbie Savage on 606 (who did an absolutely outstanding job tonight) i'll remember him as a fantastic person and must be a huge loss to all who knew him. RIP Gary.

[Zulus Thousand of em]

Rest in peace, Gary. We'll never forget you.

[Salford Trotter]

i'd hoped that at some point Gary would come back and manage us as he was such a brilliant guy, led from the front in everything he did and he would learn so much from his brief managerial career and bring that experience to the Reebok.
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away and Gary you gave us so many happy such moments, thank you. A true Prince of Wales.....Requiescat in pace

[wonka]

RIP Gary Speed.

Fantastic footballer and a great man.

[General Mannerheim]

One of the first ex-wanderers that has died in my lifetime who I have fond memories from enjoying in the flesh. I'm not trying to compare the impact of both deaths but although I, like everyone else on here, felt the death of Nat Lofthouse for what he did for the club in the past and his continued legacy the death of Gary hit me alot, lot worse. Maybe it's due to the circumstances, the family he left behind or how well and happy he looked on football focus only yesterday but today's news couldn't have hit any worse.

Top player, brilliant leader but after holding back the tears listening to Robbie Savage on 606 (who did an absolutely outstanding job tonight) i'll remember him as a fantastic person and must be a huge loss to all who knew him. RIP Gary.

yeah, never thought of it like that but very true. really does feel like the loss of an old friend!

[Prufrock]

Just watched the clip of the minutes 'silence' at Swansea. Spontaneously turned into a minutes applause. Had me a bit watery eyed. Thought they were a set of whinging bastards when we played there, but fair play to them for that. Fitting.

[2399]

[SonsOfThunder]

Haven't been able to come on here much (or even watch much footy for that matter) nowadays, but when I heard the news I had to stop by and pay my respects. I feel for his family especially, it must have come as an even greater shock to them as they saw and spoke to him day-in, day-out.

[ratbert]

I think some kind of tribute article on the front page is in order. If anyone would like to write something, please let me know. Thanks.

[BWFC_Insane]

I feel silly admitting it, for a bloke I'd never met and didn't know but I had a definite lump in my throat for most of yesterday and fought back the tears during the minutes silence/applause in the Swansea game.

Its strange how sometimes events like these can really affect you, even though not particularly rational.

For me he was the ultimate professional. And a player who seemed to lead the way on and off the pitch. I know his time at Bolton may have been soured slightly towards the end, but we'll never know the truth of that.

I still think he was the sort of bloke who just demanded respect for how he carried himself!

I hope he is in peace and hope his family can make sense of this, and still live as happy lives as possible.

[marshall_42]

I spent a lot of yesterday evening reliving the big moments of Gary's BWFC career. However, the one I remember most (as it was my first time at the Reebok) was the 2-1 agaisnt Fulham in 2007 when Gary scored our first goal from the spot. How good were those days, when a 2-1 win at home against Fulham wasn't considered a good win?

Link to Tango's match report if you're interested in jogging your memory....

http://www.the-wanderer.co.uk/bolton/bolton-2-fulham-1

[Cheese]

Still can't believe it. A mate of mine did the same thing last year, and yesterday brought it all back. Beyond comprehension when someone does something like this. R.I.P Speedo. x

[P.O.S.]

I spent a lot of yesterday evening reliving the big moments of Gary's BWFC career. However, the one I remember most (as it was my first time at the Reebok) was the 2-1 agaisnt Fulham in 2007 when Gary scored our first goal from the spot. How good were those days, when a 2-1 win at home against Fulham wasn't considered a good win?

Link to Tango's match report if you're interested in jogging your memory....

http://www.the-wanderer.co.uk/bolton/bolton-2-fulham-1

How about the game where City hit the woodwork about 6 times and we won it with a last minute penalty from Speed? Brilliant that.