WALES REMEMBERS A LOST SON

AN IMPRESSIVE array of stars will gather in Cardiff tonight to say farewell to Gary Speed. More than 50 former players will be attending alongside Speed’s wife, Louise, his father Roger and mother Carol.

Speed’s father, Roger, is expected to say a few words to the Wales team in the dressing room before the game and there will be a minute’s applause prior to kick-off.

Live music will feature heavily in the programme with both the Super Furry Animals and Mike Peters playing. Tenor Bryn Terfel will sing

Bread of Heaven with Only Men Aloud, the 4th Street Band and the Risca Male Voice Choir accompanying him. Miss Wales runner-up Courtenay Hamilton will sing the national anthem.

Ryan Giggs will lead out former players including Mark Hughes, Mark Bowen, Robbie Savage, Nathan Blake, Kevin Ratcliffe and Neville Southall.

Other football figures include former Republic of Ireland boss Steve Staunton, current Premier League managers Alex Mcleish, Brendan Rodgers and Steve Kean, along with Steve Bruce and Graham Taylor.

Sir Ian Botham — Speed’s hero as a boy — and boxer Joe Calzaghe will join them.

Former team-mates from club football such as Alan Shearer, Kieron Dyer, Dietmar Hamann, David Batty and Vinnie Jones will also be there.

Matthew Jones will be completing a half-marathon. It was Speed’s idea that the former Leeds and Leicester City midfielder take up running after retiring prematurely.