Gary made a huge impact on so many people... but he was no paperboy!
EXCLUSIVE BY
THE memories of Gary Speed come flooding back for Kevin Ratcliffe whenever he makes the trip to see his parents.
Yesterday was particularly poignant because it marked the 10th anniversary of Speed’s untimely death, aged just 42.
Ratcliffe, who, like Speed, became a crowd favourite playing for Everton and Wales, said: “After 10 years, his passing still hits you. It’s still raw, even if those years have flown by.
“I’m certain it doesn’t get any easier for the family he left behind. They will still be asking questions.
“They always say time is a healer – I don’t know whether it is in these circumstances.
“It’s weird that it seems like just a year or two since he left us. That reflects the impact of the man, the influence of him on people who knew him well.”
But the less said about a young
Speed’s skills as a paperboy, the better – though the memory brings a smile to Ratcliffe’s face.
“I’d known him growing up,” he added. “As a paperboy, he used to moan that I never gave him a tip at Christmas. No wonder. I never used to get my paper until after 9am! He was still at school then, so obviously he wasn’t getting into school until late.
“I think I was the last one on his round. In the end, I stopped having it because I was leaving for training at Everton without seeing it.”
That late autumn
Sunday in 2011, when news broke of Speed’s death, was a JFK, a Twin
Towers, moment – many still remember where they were.
Ratcliffe (inset, above) recalled: “I was down in south Wales, watching Swansea City and Aston Villa.
“Gary’s good mate Shay Given was playing in goal for Villa and was breaking down before the kick-off. You could obviously see how hard the news had hit Shay.
“He was still having to do his job, but there was a growing feeling that the game shouldn’t have gone ahead. I think, looking back, it should have been postponed. It affected too many people in and around that game.
“Everyone that day was touched by the news – the players, the media and the fans, with him being Wales manager of course.
“He has never been forgotten. To be honest, at times the aftermath of his death overshadowed some of the brilliant work Chris Coleman (left) did for Wales after succeeding Speedo as manager.
“Chris took Wales to the next level, but at first was almost held back by the aura about Gary. In the end, Chris had to change things, he bravely did it his way and enjoyed fantastic success.
“Everybody rallied around to try and help the family. Gary’s father Roger would often be invited to Wales games and followed them during Euro 2016.
“All the clubs Gary played for did their bit because they all seemed to have a soft spot for him.”
Ratcliffe’s parents still live just around the corner from Speed’s.
He added: “I always look down the driveway to see if their car is there because I go past their house three or four times a week to visit my parents, who live just around the corner from Carol and Roger. The memories flood back.
“I would often see Roger at Wales games or occasionally when Wrexham were playing, but he doesn’t get out much now.
“Gary’s memory lives on. People are still talking about him. He had so much more to offer”