It’s incredibly difficult when an individual is asked to speak for the whole fanbase and it’s something we’d never normally claim to do, but on this issue, we’re pretty convinced that we can confidently say we speak for every fan connected to Sheffield United Football Club when we say that we were aghast at the sad news of the untimely passing of former club captain and manager, Gary Speed. Every message we’ve read, every person we’ve spoken to and every pundit and former player has expressed the same emotions – shock and sadness at the loss of a lovely man and a role-model of a football professional. The high regard in which he was held by all those who met him or saw him play shows that the football community is poorer today for the loss of a man no one had a bad word to say about, which is sadly a rarity in today’s game.

We count ourselves fortunate to have encountered Gary in person a number of times, including the day he made the step from a professional footballer to a manager. Other than the respect you couldn’t fail to feel towards a talented, dedicated, model professional, he also came across as genuine first-class individual. He had time for fans, media and fellow professionals alike and has been an inspiration to many, many people.

Sheffield United have set up an area for tributes between the statues and will be flying the flags at half-mast this week. Although his time with Sheffield United was short, many people will be immensly proud that he once wore the red and white stripes.

Thanks Gary.