sport news Gary Speed's memory is fuelling belief for Wales ahead of crucial World Cup ... trends now
Just before the sun set in Qatar, the Wales players formed a circle on their training pitch to observe a minute's silence for Gary Speed, who as the team's manager imbued the side with a new level of professionalism and belief before his death, 11 years ago on Sunday.
He was the man who sat down at a press conference table in a Vale of Glamorgan hotel west of Cardiff, before his first significant match, and declared that the aim was to reach a World Cup finals.
He recruited the opera singer Courtenay Hamilton to teach the players the national anthem, Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau (Land of My Fathers), and made Aaron Ramsey the youngest permanent captain in the nation's history.
Wales observed a minute's silence in training in memory of former player and boss Gary Speed
Speed, who became Wales manager in 2010, took his own life on November 27, 2011 aged 42
Yet even then, thoughts of England stalked Wales. That first significant match was against Fabio Capello's team in a Euro 2012 qualifier and Speed insisted British rivalry must not get in the way of the bigger cause.
Speed said: 'We don't want to sit here in five years, saying, 'Remember England.' We want to remember qualifying. Winning this game is not the only thing.' England won 2-0. Wales did not qualify.
Had he lived, Speed would have no doubt winced to know that progress in a World Cup for which Wales have waited 64 years requires victory over England on Tuesday night. But the memory of all he delivered is clearly providing some of the motivation this beleaguered, shellshocked team badly need.
Joe Allen paid his own tribute to Speed on Sunday. 'Gary was an inspiration as a player and then as a manager,' the midfielder said. 'He played a big part in the journey this team has been on. He is often in the players' thoughts. We remember him very fondly.'
Allen, more than any, has reason still to feel the sting of Speed's untimely death — a month after he had given the then Swansea City player his Welsh senior debut. Back then, Allen was 21 and 10 months away from his big move to Brendan Rodgers' Liverpool.
Fans were standing in front of a banner of Speed during Wales' World Cup clash against USA
Now, he is 32, back where he began at Swansea.
