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Gary Speed tribute: Former stars to honour late Wales manager Gary Speed tribute: Fans gather to honour late Wales manager
(about 2 hours later)
A host of former Wales football internationals will honour Gary Speed at the late manager's memorial match. Thousands of fans have gathered to pay tribute to Gary Speed at the late Wales football manager's memorial match.
Ryan Giggs, John Hartson, Mark Hughes, Neville Southall and Robbie Savage are among up to 50 stars to be introduced at half-time on Wednesday night. Acts including Bryn Terfel, Super Furry Animals and Only Men Aloud performed ahead of the friendly match against Costa Rica at the Cardiff City Stadium.
Wales will play Costa Rica with 21,000 tickets sold by Wednesday lunchtime for the match at the Cardiff City Stadium. Ex-Wales stars Ryan Giggs, John Hartson, Mark Hughes, Neville Southall and Robbie Savage are among former players to be introduced at half-time.
The game is also being attended by members of Speed's family.
The Wales manager's body was found hanged in the garage at his home near Chester last November.The Wales manager's body was found hanged in the garage at his home near Chester last November.
The coroner at his inquest said he could not be satisfied the 42-year-old former Premier League star intended to kill himself.The coroner at his inquest said he could not be satisfied the 42-year-old former Premier League star intended to kill himself.
The Football Association of Wales has said it wants the fixture to be a celebration of Speed's life. The Football Association of Wales (FAW) has said it wants the fixture to be a celebration of Speed's life.
Welsh musicians including Super Furry Animals, Bryn Terfel and Only Men Aloud will also perform ahead of the match. The FAW said immediately prior to kick-off that some 22,000 tickets for the 24,000-capacity match had been sold with "people still coming in".
Charities to benefit
A number of charities will also benefit from the match after being nominated by Speed's family.A number of charities will also benefit from the match after being nominated by Speed's family.
Cancer support charity MacMillan and the Campaign Against Living Miserably (Calm), which looks to help reduce suicides among men under 35, will benefit financially from the match.Cancer support charity MacMillan and the Campaign Against Living Miserably (Calm), which looks to help reduce suicides among men under 35, will benefit financially from the match.
The Daisy Garland, a charity involved with lives touched by epilepsy and Wrexham FC under-15 boys academy, where Speed's son Ed is a member, will also benefit.The Daisy Garland, a charity involved with lives touched by epilepsy and Wrexham FC under-15 boys academy, where Speed's son Ed is a member, will also benefit.
The Craig Bellamy Foundation in Sierra Leone - set up by the Liverpool player who will captain Wales for the game - has asked for a donation of playing kit and equipment.The Craig Bellamy Foundation in Sierra Leone - set up by the Liverpool player who will captain Wales for the game - has asked for a donation of playing kit and equipment.
Former international Matthew Jones will also be completing a half-marathon at the stadium and collecting funds for the Spinal Injuries Association.Former international Matthew Jones will also be completing a half-marathon at the stadium and collecting funds for the Spinal Injuries Association.
He will be competing in full marathons in the future, having originally been encouraged to do so by Speed.He will be competing in full marathons in the future, having originally been encouraged to do so by Speed.
'Tragic event'
Carl Sargeant, AM for Alyn and Deeside, paid tribute to a "local boy that went on to lead a nation".Carl Sargeant, AM for Alyn and Deeside, paid tribute to a "local boy that went on to lead a nation".
He added: "Hopefully tonight's memorial match will allow us, whilst not to fully understand what has happened, maybe to draw a line under this tragic event.He added: "Hopefully tonight's memorial match will allow us, whilst not to fully understand what has happened, maybe to draw a line under this tragic event.
"My thoughts remain with Gary's family at this time and I would also like to draw attention to the charity highlighted by the Speed family, Calm... which aims to help reduce suicide to young men.""My thoughts remain with Gary's family at this time and I would also like to draw attention to the charity highlighted by the Speed family, Calm... which aims to help reduce suicide to young men."
Following Speed's death last year, there was an outpouring of grief in the footballing community.Following Speed's death last year, there was an outpouring of grief in the footballing community.
Fans at grounds around the country took part in tributes to the former Welsh captain, who played for a number of Premier League clubs, including Leeds, Newcastle, Everton, and Bolton, and managed Sheffield United.Fans at grounds around the country took part in tributes to the former Welsh captain, who played for a number of Premier League clubs, including Leeds, Newcastle, Everton, and Bolton, and managed Sheffield United.