For me, my first memories of Welsh football was the Mark Hughes era. The first game I can remember going to was Wales 1 - 0 Germany in front of a full house at the Millennium Stadium. Robert Earnshaw grabbed the winning goal on his debut to give the Welsh a result which they could have only dreamed about. The heart of the Welsh team lied in the central midfield partnership of Robbie Savage and Gary Speed. The same duo that would eventually lead Wales to wins over eventual world champions Italy in 2004. Speed was instrumental in the success of Mark Hughes as Wales boss.
It is a telling sign that fans of the club that was blessed with Gary's playing talents have flocked out to pay their tributes for the 42 year old. Shrines are being erected by the main entrances of St James Park, Goodison Park, Elland Road, Bramball Lane and The Reebok Stadium. In a career that lasted an incredible 22 years, Gary optimised the perfect footballer. He took care of himself so he could play on longer than most. With 5 clubs in 22 years, Gary has shown how easy he was to get on with, surviving many managerial changes during his time in the Premier League.
All the attributes he displayed on the pitch, very quickly transpired on to the touchline as he turned the Welsh national team from a laughing stock, to an attacking force that on their day, can challenge anyone. Players respected him. They turned up for him.
I will admit, I wasn't 100% confident he was the right man after the departure of John Toshack but what he achieved in just under a year was nothing short of magnificent. I remember his first game in charge - a 3-0 defeat to Ireland in the Home Nations Cup. Upon hearing the result, me and quite a few others laughed it off, it was to be expected. To have gone from losing 3-0 to Ireland to beating Norway 4-1 shows immense potential, sadly that potential will never be fulfilled by the master - Gary Speed.
Speed had brought the excitement back to Welsh football again. There was confidence that we could actually qualify for Brazil 2014. We may still qualify, who knows?. But what is certain, is that we would not be anywhere near if it wasn't for Gary Speed.
I first saw the news on Twitter. Some girl posted 'RIP Gary Speed', my initial reaction was to slate her for carrying on a sick joke. It was only a matter of seconds before news sources ran the story that the Welsh manager was found dead. I have never had such a strong feeling of shock as I did yesterday. I still cannot get my head around the fact that someone who can appear so strong and happy on the outside, can be going through such turmoil on the inside.
It was only then that I saw he was on Football Focus less that 24 hours before he was found hanged in his Chester home. Dan Walker who presented the show said that Speed was talking about how he needs to tweet more and how excited he was for Wales's young squad. It just doesn't make sense.
The saddest part is that he saw ending his own life was the best option for him. How low must a person be to see that? It's absolutely harrowing. How can someone who was a national hero for Wales, a footballing legend and enjoying having a beautiful family end it so suddenly?. However, now is not the time to question who can lead Wales into their qualifying campaign or just why it ended like it has. It is the time to mourn a man who was nothing short of brilliant.
Lets hope that Speed's death can warn people of the dangers of mental illness and how even the happiest of people, can still be in a very dark place. Thank you Gary, for everything you have done for Wales in terms of playing and management. You have left Welsh football to a place where we could have only dreamt of this time last year.
God bless.
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