Giggs pays tribute to old friend

RYAN Giggs has paid tribute to his childhood pal Gary Lloyd, who died suddenly at the weekend.

Sports agent Gary, 47, is understood to have been watching United’s match against Newcastle on Saturday shortly before he was found dead at his Worsley home.

Gary represented players and staff at Lancashire CCC, Bury FC, AFC Rochdale and Salford Red Devils, among others.

Tributes have since flooded in, among them a statement from close friend and neighbour Ryan Giggs. In a statement along with pals Bernie Taylor and Kelvin Gregory, Giggs said: “We were childhood friends of Gary’s and we are shocked and saddened by the news. We want to send our condolences to his mum, dad and daughter Havana. He was a doting father.

“As Reds, we used to go to football matches together and we will miss you so much Lloydy.”

Gary is understood to have been a regular at George’s restaurant in Worsley town centre - owned by his three friends. Another mutual friend Ruth Wertylo described Gary as a ‘social butterfly’ who lived life to the full. She added: “If you were blessed to spend any time with him you knew he was full of life. The void he will leave is just hard to describe - how much we’ll all miss him. Together those boys had such great banter, he was just a real character, so generous, a great son and dad.” Gary’s neighbours, on a quiet avenue near Roe Green in Worsley, also paid tribute to him. Jordan Ramsden, 23, told the M.E.N: “He was just such a nice guy, really popular, a big character. “He was just really, really liked and this is such a big shock.” While neighbour David Whitehead, 50, a company director, added: “He just had this charisma. We all feel a real loss, his presence will be really missed here. “It’s like a life has been robbed really. He was always out and about, busy, on his phone, always chatty, always friendly. “We were all so shocked when we saw the police, we just can’t believe it’s happened. We wish we could have done something.” On social media, Rochdale manager Keith Hill who was represented by Gary described him as a ‘very special person’ who would be sorely missed. The club said he was ‘lovable with an infectious smile.’ And former Manchester City striker and ex-Oldham Athletic manager Paul Dickov tweeted: “Absolutely devastated to hear the news of the passing away of Gary Lloyd, always has been, is & always will be a top top man #RIPLloydy.”