Gary Speed, R.I.P.

The Wales manager Gary Speed has died at the age of 42, the Football Association of Wales has announced.

An FAW statement said: "The Football Association of Wales are sad to announce the death of the national team manager Gary Speed. We extend our sympathies and condolences to the family. We ask that everyone respects the family's privacy at this very sad time."

I became a Newcastle United fan when my grandfather brought me a jersey from his trip to England. He asked the shop clerk for the jersey of "the best team" but the guy refused to sell him a Manchester United jersey.

The Newcastle United I learned about was the Shearer, Lee, Speed teams of the late Nineties. As such, I'll always have a soft spot for those players and I'm saddened by today's news.