Such tragic news to hear that the Manager of the Welsh Football team, Gary Speed hung himself on the weekend. Just over a week ago, while attending the Lifeline Taboo lunch, I heard a number of prominent Australians, talk about their own battles with depression and attempted suicides. Former Australian Rugby winger, Joe Roff, who is an ambassador for Lifeline Australia, spoke about the difficulties ex- elite sports people face when their playing days are over.
Who knows why 42 year old Speed, chose to end his life so unexpectedly, but he obviously had in his own mind a reason to do so. Trouble is though, it seems no one else had a clue, what was going on inside his head.
What is clear, is that this much loved guy who played more than 500 Premier League games for Leeds United, Everton and Newcastle, has left a huge hole in the footballing world. The tributes have been pouring in from just about everyone who played with him and against him. Ironic really, that since he became the Manager of Wales, their results have improved out of sight, and giving the Welsh real hope they could make it the 2014 World Cup. Absolute tragedy. See BBC Report
