Fourteen years have passed since Gary Speed’s death, yet his influence on Welsh football – and the affection in which he is held – remains undimmed.
On a warm evening in Colwyn Bay, just a short drive from his Flintshire childhood home, the inaugural Cwpan Gary Speed (Gary Speed Cup) began. The new international youth tournament, established by the Football Association of Cymru, is the latest tribute to the former Cymru captain and manager, whose legacy stretches far beyond the pitch.
For his mother, Carol Speed, the enduring affection shown towards her son remains a source of pride and poignancy.
“I can’t believe that after 14 years, people still talk about him and the impact that he made,” she said.
“It’s a big honour for Gary, I’m very proud. People don’t really talk about the football, they talk about the sort of person he was. He was lovely. We do miss him.”
Carol has had to carry much of her grief publicly. From murals and terrace songs to parks and housing estates bearing his name, her son’s memory is woven into the fabric of Cymru football. But it is the tributes to his character, rather than his career, that she cherishes most.
A night of remembrance
The opening match – Cymru Under-16s against Japan – drew together many who knew Speed best. Former team-mates, school friends and coaches gathered to share memories, laughter mixing with moments of quiet reflection. Among them were ex-Cymru captains Kevin Ratcliffe and Craig Bellamy, now national team head coach, along with Cledwyn Ashford, who first coached Speed as a nine-year-old.
“It’s a very emotional night. I remember the day we heard that Gary died. It broke my heart,” said Ashford, visibly moved.
“He was a special person. When I think back to that little boy of nine who played for me for Deeside Primary Schools, and showed his ability, not just as a footballer, but also as a person.
“Even at nine or 10 years old, you knew that in the future, he would prove to be a fine role model, and that of course proved the case. And that smile. You don’t forget the smile. In fact, if you look at Carol, you see the smile.”
Five players from that 1980-81 schools team were present, though three others, like Speed, have since passed away. “It’s sad in that way,” Ashford reflected, “but it’s a great night to remember them and also to celebrate the lives of those four lads, Gary included of course.”
Carrying memories forward
For Adrian Harvie, head coach of Cymru Under-16s, the occasion carried particular weight. In 2019, his eight-year-old daughter Emilia died of the rare Alexander disease.
“I think about those feelings every day. So I’m living with that every day, like many other people are,” Harvie said.
“I’ve always wanted to be someone who’s not defined by my daughter’s death, but defined by how I dealt with it and how I’ve come through that. It’s still an ongoing, everyday battle that I’m winning.
“I suppose it’s the same going back to the football with Gary. It’s really beautiful that no-one will ever forget about him, the tournament will enhance that. So I’m privileged to be part of that.”
Cymru lost to Japan on penalties before beating Gibraltar, but a final defeat to Northern Ireland meant it was their neighbours who lifted the trophy. Yet, as Harvie pointed out, results were always secondary.
“The tournament is first and foremost about Gary and making sure we put on a fitting tribute to such a wonderful human being,” he said.
“And then secondly it’s about the players – making sure we perform well, so come the end of that camp, they’ve learned something, they’ve found it really challenging, but they’ve enjoyed it most importantly.”
A lasting legacy
As the anthems played, Carol stood by the Cymru dugout, clutching flowers presented to her before kick-off. It was another moment to reflect on the life of her son, who changed the course of Cymru football and whose name will now live on through this annual competition.
“It’s remarkable that people are still remembering him, still doing things like this,” she said.
“We obviously thought he was wonderful, but so did everybody else. We didn’t realise that until after he’d passed.
“He’s had a housing estate named after him, he’s had a park named after him and now he’s had a football tournament named after him. I’m very proud of him.”
