Swansea Chairman Pays Tribute To Speed

Swansea City chairman Huw Jenkins pays tribute to Gary Speed following his death just hours before yesterday's game against Aston Villa.

The news of his passing came through within an hour before the 1.30pm kick off at the Liberty Stadium, but the game still went ahead as the management staff and players decided to play in tribute of the late Gary Speed.

Huw Jenkins was left shocked and saddened to hear the news:

I think I felt the same as most people; shocked and saddened at the news,''

'It was one of disbelief where you just couldn't and didn't want to believe it.

'With Gary's involvement with Wales we got to see a lot of him at our games over the last few months. He always conducted himself immaculately and was not only a model pro as a player and manager, but a model man as well.

'His presence at our future games will be sadly missed and the game of football has lost a great man.''

'On the football side he was doing so well with Wales. I always felt when he was appointed that he was the right figurehead for Wales and had the ability to turn Welsh fortunes around. And that proved to be the case.

'He had turned the corner and got the national team on an upward curve. I know that everyone connected with the team, including our international players, were enjoying what he was doing and it's going to be a massive task to continue where he left off.

'It was a sad day yesterday, but I thought the tribute both sets of fans gave him before kick-off was fantastic. It said everything about the man and our thoughts and sympathy are with his family and friends at this sad time from everyone associated with Swansea City Football Club.''

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