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| Version 6 | Version 7 |
|---|---|
| Gary Speed tribute: Fans gather to honour late Wales manager | Gary Speed tribute: Fans gather to honour late Wales manager |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Thousands of fans have gathered to pay tribute to Gary Speed at the late Wales football manager's memorial match. | Thousands of fans have gathered to pay tribute to Gary Speed at the late Wales football manager's memorial match. |
| 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. | 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. |
| Ex-Wales stars Ryan Giggs, John Hartson, Mark Hughes, Neville Southall and Robbie Savage were among former players to be introduced at half-time. | Ex-Wales stars Ryan Giggs, John Hartson, Mark Hughes, Neville Southall and Robbie Savage were among former players to be introduced at half-time. |
| The game was also attended by members of Speed's family. | |
| His two sons, Ed and Tom, took to the pitch before kick-off, where they stood alongside Craig Bellamy, Wales' captain for the night, during the national anthems. | His two sons, Ed and Tom, took to the pitch before kick-off, where they stood alongside Craig Bellamy, Wales' captain for the night, during the national anthems. |
| Both boys then shook hands with the Costa Rica captain, before the players gathered around the centre circle as a prolonged round of applause broke out in the stands. | Both boys then shook hands with the Costa Rica captain, before the players gathered around the centre circle as a prolonged round of applause broke out in the stands. |
| They then returned to the side of the pitch to be greeted by their father's parents, Roger and Carol, standing with new Wales manager Chris Coleman. | They then returned to the side of the pitch to be greeted by their father's parents, Roger and Carol, standing with new Wales manager Chris Coleman. |
| During the match the crowd of more than 23,000 continued to burst into applause from time to time. | |
| An emotional night ended when the full-time whistle blew with Costa Rica running out 1-0 winners. | |
| Charities to benefit | Charities to benefit |
| In the run-up to the game the Football Association of Wales (FAW) said it wanted the fixture to be a celebration of Speed's life. | |
| 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 also completed a half-marathon at the stadium, 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' | '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." |
| 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. |
| 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. |