Leeds United fans have always been passionate about heir club, and over the years that passion has sometimes been misguided, and has ruffled the feathers of other football fans. One thing that is for sure that if you serve their club in the manner in which they expect they will never forget you, and your name will be forever etched in their hearts.
No doubt many of them were as stunned as the rest of the football world to hear of the premature passing away of ex player and current Wales Coach Gary Speed. It was news that touched many fans, as a true gentleman was no longer with us. A man who was integral to Leeds winning their last Championship.
Their tribute to Gary Speed who wore the number 11 shirt for the club, chanting his name for 11 minutes in their game against Nottingham Forest was all class, and a fitting send off. Congratulations Leeds fans, and Gary Speed RIP.
The match between Swansea City and Aston Villa at the Liberty Stadium , held only hours after Speed’s death was announced, was dedicated to his memory. A minute’s silence was to be held before the match. However, the fans applauded instead and sang Speed’s name. Several players who played in the match were severely affected by the news. Four Welsh internationals played in the match; Ashley Williams , Neil Taylor and Joe Allen , of Swansea, all played under Speed for Wales, and Allen in particular was said to be struggling with the news. James Collins was the other Welsh international, and he had also played with Speed at international level. Collins’ Villa team mates Shay Given and Jermaine Jenas had both played with Speed at Newcastle United , and both were very badly affected by the news. Given openly wept during and after the minute’s applause. Both managers, Alex McLeish and Brendan Rodgers , paid tribute to Speed. Rodgers, who had spoken to Speed a lot since he had become Wales manager, said that the game had lost a legend, while Neil Taylor said that he hoped Wales could qualify for the 2014 World Cup to honour him.