The former United midfielder tragically died on Sunday morning with suicide appearing to be the cause. Personally, the circumstance is not important to me right now and what should come first is remembering a player who played for us for six years at the very highest level.
The club have revealed that the match programme will feature a four page tribute to Speed and will set out cards in the East Stand that will depict the number 11 – Gary Speed’s number during his time with us – to be raised whilst the famous Welsh hymn ‘Bread of Heaven’ is sung. The club will provide hymnsheets at the turnstyles so that everyone can join in. Once the hymn is finished a minute of applause will be observed.
A sell out crowd at St James’ and Sky TV will be there to witness events which will almost certainly show just how highly thought of he was at NUFC. This will coincide with a series of other tributes at every ground up and down the country ahead of what is going to be an emotionally charged weekend.
The sheer amount of comments and appraisals Speed has had since his passing has been extraordinary. From fans of Speed’s previous clubs, to fans of pretty much every other club to fellow professionals, ex-professionals, pundits and journalists, all of them have had good words to say about the man.
Shamrock wrote a very emotional and heartfelt tribute to the man, which you can read here, that pretty much sums up my feelings on the matter. I’m just glad that I’ll be there to pay my own respects on Saturday and show just how much I appreciated him, but the reality is you don’t have to be there to reflect upon the life and times of Gary Speed. It comes from the heart, from the head, the memories, wherever you happen to be.
R.I.P Gary Speed
It’s going to be an emotional day. Just like the West Brom game after Sir Bobby passed away.
Hopefully the lads can give him a great result like Leeds did last night.
I have no concerns about the fans. I know **** well that we’ll make it special.
toonsy(Quote)
Great to see the club going all out in a tribute to Gary Speed. It’s gonna be one emotional day that’s for certain.
wolfie(Quote)
Just echoing Wolfie’s comments, it’s going to be an emotional day all round and fitting that it should be a full house.
dan4toon(Quote)
Dan – Just don’t get too pissed before the game 😉
toonsy(Quote)
Good on ’em – correct response.
Not sure I can say this without invoking some bile and perhaps coming across a bit cynical and tasteless, but…
Anyone else thinking how relieved Ashley and Llamearse must be that something’s taken the focus over the SJP name thing for that match?
Sorry if that offends anyone – it was just on my mind so in it goes… 😳
Whumpie(Quote)
Toonsy, never again before home games for me like!
I had a few before the Arsenal game earlier this season but made the mistake of not having anything to eat, puked on the metro going to match and then again in my seat, missed most of the game 🙄 😆
dan4toon(Quote)
Dan – that almost deserves credit for the sheer over-the-top effort put into it!
Whumpie(Quote)
Dan – Excellent. I remember a game in our Championship season where I was steaming, but I can’t remember which one. Mark just looked at me started laughing as I was stood in the ground swaying 😆
Mind you I was pretty smashed at Peterborough away aswell. Very out of character 😯 😆
toonsy(Quote)
Well it’s down to the fans to give Speedo a good, proper send off on Saturday. No doubt in my mind they will be in good voice. I think we can rely on this team to put up a barnstormer of a performace in his memory too.
Howay the lads and Rest In Peace Gary Speed 😥
Shamrock(Quote)
I have one comment – what’s the tune to this hymn? i don’t know it and therefore maybe off key 😯 52000 people mumbling can’t be good (or am i just being ignorant and this is a well known song? 😕 )
nobby(Quote)
OK off to work. Great 🙁 Have a good’n lads & lasses 😀
Shamrock(Quote)
Toonsy 😆
I’ll always have a few for away games like, it’s almost customary but not for home games, I sit in the John Hall and there’s not exactly a lot of singing so I’d end up making a right *** out of myself 😆
dan4toon(Quote)
In regards to the stadium naming thing.. even before the sad news about Gary Speed .. I was thinking that they had timed the announcement well before the international break, and two away games.. seems like it’s old news now and people have “sort of” calmed down a bit..
Sorry.. not wanting to take away from the respects of Gary’s memory.. was actually thinking that before the weekend..
lee(Quote)
Rip Speedo , what a cracking player and seems very well loved and admired by the people who knew him. He will be missed and great to see the club been respective of a great servant to the club.
Johno Toon(Quote)
Nobby – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1fLiDjLf5c
I see what you’re saying. Like when you go to a wedding or something and the hymns start to get sung and you must end up mumbling along roughly to the tune.
However, I’ll give it my best 🙂
toonsy(Quote)
Nobby …. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bLbS0iBUNg
, I wish I could be there to pay my respects but he’ll be in my thoughts regardless…..RIP Gary Speed 🙁
richietoon(Quote)
Thanks lads… i don’t mean any disrepect or anything, but i’m not the most confident when singing infront of a load of people i don’t know. i’ll have a pint and try my best though! 🙂
nobby(Quote)
i am working saturday,but i know the fans will make this a special occasion,for a special person
mg man(Quote)
I’m really trying to remember, and please forgive me, but who asked about the Financial Fair Play rules the other day? 😕
toonsy(Quote)
Havn’t cried in a while (honest), but may shed a tear when watching it on tv. Gutted I can’t be there, will sing “Speedo’s a geodie hero” to the tv if the crowd starts though. 😥
Andy mag (scot toon)(Quote)
Think it’s a very fitting tribute to a great man. Many tears will be shed but the fans and the lads will do us proud.
geordie deb(Quote)
yippee my m8 has got two tickets in the 1886 part of st james. can’t wait.
I use to love G Speed, so will sing my heart out (after a few tho)
@NOBBY ..Don’t worry about singing m8, I’m the most tone-deaf person you could ever meet, been told a few times off m8’s at gigs to stop spoiling the live band, lol I make pat n mick sound like two tenors 😆
mark(Quote)
Mark – You in the Bar 1892 bit? Very posh 😉
Been in there once. They slap a sticker on you and give you a free programme. Plus the beer was only £2 a pint which was nice 😆
toonsy(Quote)
Good on the Club and im sure we can all show the media etc that when you give all to the cause as Speedo did. we will always look out for owr own.
Big Dave(Quote)
Aye, apparently they let any auld “subordinate” in the 1892 bar these days 😆
richietoon(Quote)
Toonsy, who would have thought – shall we sing a song for you is an actual hymn called bread of heaven!!… You do learn something new every day!
I have already said it on Zoes article but think it’s only right to reiterate it on this one.
I’m really proud our club have made the arrangements to remember Speedo with more than just a minutes applause.
I can’t be there on Saturday but the ground will look great with the cards held aloft and St James Park shake with the noise of our fans singing their hearts out for a true toon gent.
I bet there won’t be a dry eye and every neck hair will be stood to attention.
Well done NUFC, leave the rest to the fans and I’m sure Chelsea fans will be respectful.
Those who don’t know already will soon find out why we are the best fans in the world.
Sharpy17(Quote)
ah, is it 1892? lol my m8 txted me 1886, he’s not really into footy 😆 .
I think Ive been before actually but I get drunk really quickly and don’t take much notice.
I’ve been in one of the Sage boxes too, yrs ago..had a tour of St James..Under Bobby Robson. had my pic with Shearer. Was funny watching loads of yuppies pointing at football boots in the changing rooms guessing which pair belonged to who 🙄
Bobby had wrote on his white board “Beckham” with a big red circle around it lol thats all the board had written on it.. canny tactican wor bobby 😉
mark(Quote)
As a lifelong Welsh/Newcastle fan i cant start to say how deeply saddend i am with the death of this GREAT hero/idol of mine 🙁 the fact that there will be the welsh hymn ‘bread of heaven’ being sang by 52,000 geordies gives me great pride ! i wont be there to join in but il certainly be joining in from my home and there deffo wnt be no dry eyes frm myself 🙁 we’ve lost a great proffessional, a great footballer and a great man R.I.P SPEEDO !!!! always be remembered
Sean(Quote)
Bread of heaven – or as it’s more commonly known – “Youre not singing anymore” – but with the original lyrics. The Welsh chuffing love it 🙂
God bless you Speedo, you will be sorely missed. RIP
MrT76(Quote)
Toonsy, that’s a long time since you were in Bar 1892 no programs for free anymore and £4 a pint!!
RIP GARY SPEED, it’s nice to see the club giving one of it’s most loyal servants a fitting send off, a proper man, gent and professional, modern day players could learn a lot from how he conducted himself on and off the pitch, God bless.
micky g(Quote)
A very nice tribute from the club for a very nice and humble man. He was the complete professional and a good honest and down to earth bloke/millionaire. I am very saddened by his tragic death and the fact I won’t be able to be at St James to sing my respects for the great man.
RIP Speedo
JP…from The Rock(Quote)
toonsy it was me who asked about them m8
mg man(Quote)