Newcastle to sing their Gary Speed tribute
Published 22:31 30/11/11 By MirrorFootball
Gary Speed will be honoured by 50,000 Newcastle fans joining together in an emotional Welsh hymn.
Supporters will be led in a stirring rendition of Bread of Heaven - the centre-piece of plans to pay to celebrate the life of the former Toon midfielder before Saturday’s sold-out Premier League visit by Chelsea.
The official match programme will carry a picture of Speed on its front cover, in addition to a four-page tribute to the ex-Wales player and manager, who took his own life aged 42.
Speed clocked up almost 300 games in a six-year spell on Tyneside.
A club spokesman said: “Whilst the hymn is sung, supporters in the East Stand will be asked to hold up black and white cards to depict the number 11 - the shirt Gary wore for us.
“All supporters will be provided with hymn sheets in order to join in the singing.
"Upon completion of the hymn, a minute’s applause will be observed in memory of Gary.”
Meanwhile, Sheffield United will honour Speed by having his image on display at their Bramall Lane home for the rest of the season.
The Blades have revealed that flags bearing pictures of the 42-year-old, who died last Sunday, are to be placed in front of the stadium.
Former United skipper Robert Page, who played alongside Speed for Wales, is to lay a wreath on the Bramall Lane pitch in tribute to his compatriot before Saturday’s FA Cup second round clash with Torquay.
Speed played for and coached the Blades before managing them for four months ahead of taking on the job of Wales boss a year ago.
Managing director Dave McCarthy confirmed:”We want our tributes to reflect Gary, who was a very dignified young man.
“We have received e-mails from fans about what we should do, and have come up with what we hope is a fitting plan to remember him.”
Former Leeds, Everton and Newcastle midfielder Speed joined the Blades from Bolton on New Year’s Day 2008, and was appointed manager three matches into last season.
He had 18 games at the helm before being unveiled as John Toshack’s successor as Welsh national boss.
