Cardiff, March 1 (IANS) There was a sombre mood at the Cardiff City Stadium here Wednesday night as Wales make final fitting tribute to former manager Gary Speed at memorial match with Costa Rica.
Speed, who committed suicide last November, was remembered by the packed stadium, which celebrated his life and achievement with songs and the soaring applause, which went on and on.
Though there was a collective heaviness of heart in the stadium but it was accompanied with love and pride for Speed.
Speed’s two two teenage boys, Ed and Tommy, were the mascots for the memorial match against Costa Rica that the hosts lost 0-1.
The boys moved the crowd with their smile that hid the pain in their heart. They were accompanied with their mother Lousie and granddad, Speed’s father Roger.
Wales captain Craig Bellamy, a close friend of Speed, put his arm around Ed and Tommy when both the teams line up for the match.
Speed’s sons watched the game from the pitchside and when the cry “Stand Up for Gary Speed” began, they shot to their feet before anyone.
After the match, the 14-year-old Ed, made moving a speech in the dressing room. “My dad always said to me if you do your best, it’s enough. And I think you lot did your best tonight, so it’s enough,” he said.
Speed’s dad Roger was also in the dressing room before the game and thanked all the players for giving his son a great memorial match.
