Gary Speed: Unspoken: The Family's Untold Story

by John Richardson, Louise Speed

GARY SPEED’S tragic death on November 27th, 2011, rocked the football world. Aged just 42, he was found hanged in the garage of his home. As a long-standing legend of the game and manager of Wales, he appeared to have everything to live for. Now, as he would have approached his 50th birthday, family and friends come together to speak honestly and emotionally about the man they knew and loved. Wife Louise opens her heart for the first time and talks in depth about her life with Gary and her own personal journey since his death. Mum Carol and dad Roger recall their beloved son. And a multitude of famous names from the game remember their friend and speak emotionally about how the tragedy has touched their own lives. Author John Richardson was a close friend of the man he knew as ‘Speedo’ and was entrusted to write his autobiography. Gary completed two chapters of his life story before putting the project on hold because he thought he had not achieved enough in the game to merit a book. For the first time, these revealing chapters are published in the original form they were written, with insights from Richardson on the personal story that would remain so sadly untold. Gary Unspoken is a unique celebration of one of the football heroes of our generation. A tribute to a role model, leader and a much-loved husband, father and son gone too soon.

Genres: Football, Biography, Sports

242 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 18, 2018

About the author

Librarian note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name. This profile may contain multiple authors.

See also:

John Richardson - Coffee and golf

John Richardson (1796-1852) - Canadian novelist

John Richardson (1787-1865) - Arctic explorer

John Richardson (1924-2019) - Art historian and Picasso biographer

John Richardson - Illustrator

John Richardson (1951-present) - Professor of Philosophy

John Richardson (1937-present) - History, fiction, photography

John Richardson (1740/1741-1795) - Orientalist

John Richardson (1667-1753)

John Richardson (1964-present) - Music and audio

John Richardson - Shelter from the Devil (Goodreads Author)

Reviews

[Kelly Furniss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gary Speed was a very popular player with Leeds UTD when I was in my teens and I would go to watch the team play with my family. One of my cringe worthy memories is my friend and I as teenagers meeting him when he did a autograph signing with David Batty at a local sport shop and he laughed & joked how we kept queuing up time and time again throughout the day to keep talking to them and asking questions about anything we could think of!.
Fast forward to 2011 and his sudden tragic death came as a huge shock when I heard so when this book was released I was keen to read it and learn more about him as a person.
Although the book did keep me wanting to keep picking it up the vast similar antidotes from players & about where they were at the time of his death did at times get too much & rather repetitive. I would have preferred just a few to be concentrated on however I understand the point was to maybe make the reader see just how many lives Speedo had touched.
Although one aspect I liked was learning of certain very close friendships with other well known players and the fond insights to his personality & memories they shared such as holidays etc.
For anyone looking for answers this book does not provide it as his wife, parents and close friends saw no signs and still do not understand his decision and no-one will ever know.
What however it does it raises the point urging people, especially men to talk more about worries and issues and how it highlighted to football managers that support networks need to be in place for players if they need that help and surely if any good at all can come from this talented player/ managers death then that is a positive legacy along with the money raised from the purchases of this book to mental health charities.
The thing that is so sad is that everyone came to Gary with their issues and problems because he was just that kind of person but although he had a good network around him ultimately when he needed help he chose not to seek it himself.
To repeat, If this book makes one individual in a similar situation seek help then at least from such a tragedy a positive outcome has been achieved.

[PrettyFlamingo]

Is it possible to give negative stars? Firstly, the idea of the book was to raise awareness of mental health issues, which it has not achieved. There is no new information whatsoever and no untold story that I can see. The full story of the career of Gary Speed can be seen in the performance of the Wales national squad in Euro 2016 and the achievements of Leeds United, Newcastle United, Everton and other clubs he played for over the years and his contributions to that. This doesn't tell you anything new and there has been no input from his family. The comments from his parents have been copied from other interviews given over the years, which everyone will have read by now. The comments by Louise Speed are not insightful, verge on cruel and tell us nothing. The only positive aspect I can see is the raising of funds for a mental health charity. But save your money and give it straight to the charity. Gary Speed himself would not endorse this.

[Gareth Davies · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a strange book. Lots of memoirs from f friends recalling how they found out and their struggle to understand. A harrowing account form his wife around the days following Speeds death. But I’m not sure what its purpose was.

[Mark Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very very sad, whilst also being extremely scary. When a man who seemingly had everything to live for could presumably just snap. His story is sad but you have to feel for the wife and kids.

[Stuart McIntosh · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I was little books started with Once Upon A Time, provided context, may take us to dark places but always ended Happily Ever After. This book could never end that way. I think I was expecting a more customary biography. Instead, this is a collection of obituaries eulogising each contributor's experiences of Gary Speed, whilst each expresses their personal sorrow on hearing his death and their failure to comprehend the reason for it. No answers are provided, no lessons learned, just a tragic story of the premature departure of a much-loved, talented and blessed young man repeated many times over the seven hours or so it takes to complete this book. Very sad, not too many positives to draw. I hope the obvious hurt suffered by his surviving family and friends eases with time.

[David Oliver]

I'm sorry, but I think this is dreadful book. It's superficial, lacking any insight, new information or analysis, and the quality of the writing is atrocious. The absence of any references, bibliography or index, and the banal repetitiveness of the contributors' recollections, coupled with numerous verbal howlers and vague cliches, suggest that it was hastily put together by a lazy writer, and then carelessly edited by the publishers. This is a subject of real importance and potential, and it is sad that it has been so shabbily treated here. No stars.

[Dave B · Rating 2 out of 5]

Gary Speed will forever be a legend within football. He was at the club I support, the Toon, and was the consumate professional. A true blue chip footballer. This book however was same old, same old throughout disappointingly. Lots of famous names recounting the moment they heard Speedo had took his own life. It gets a bit monotonous after the first 5 recant their tale. I would like to have heard more from Louise, his wife, and his parents on Gary and the impact it left. I would have wanted to know more about the life he led. No one quite understands why he did what he did. There were no signs and he didn't seem to reach out to anyone at any time. We will never know and there is understandable anger at him for putting everyone he loved and left behind through the wringer. My personal opinion is that those who take their own life are selfish and cowards who leave the mess behind. For that reason Speedo has went down in my estimation. I hope Louise, the two boys, the parents and everyone who loved him can find some solace in how much everyone thought of him.

[Paul Farrer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mystery still unsolved

A look in to Gary Speeds. Career as a footballer and a manager. The man who apparently had everything but that one thing was missing, unfortunately nobody knew what it was and he never told anyone. In the end it accumulated in him not being able to go on. Still nobody has a clue, non of his friends, family and close associates can say why it happened. Great career but sad end.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn’t sure what To expect from this book. It seemed quite mixed. It was an interesting read although very sad at the same time. As a Leeds fan I recall being shocked hearing of his unplanned death. As someone who has experience of depression I am identify with hiding how you feel and putting on a brave face. Still a long way to go to see the overall picture improving particularly for those in the public face.

Recommend reading but very sad.

[Nathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a big Leeds United fan Speedo is a legend. And by all accounts a wonderful human being. This is why I gave the book a half decent rating.
The book was not as I expected. As I would have liked to got much more into his life and career. Unfortunately, the majority of the book is based on how countless colleagues, ex-teammates were shocked at the news of his passing.
RIP Speedo you'll forever be a Leeds legend (even though you're an everton supporter) ALAW MOT!!

[Sharon Boulton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart breaking at times

Gary Speed was loved by everyone who came into contact with him. This is shown throughout the book. His wife and children are so strong and to get this book out and to show people what a great person he was, I hope anyone who is struggling, reads this book and gets the help they need.

[Jane Craven · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sad tale that is quite repetitive in places. I have always been a fan of Speedo since his days with my home town club Leeds United, however, there were passages in this book from his wife Louise where I began to wonder if he was such a great man. Leaves you feeling absolutely gutted for his wife, children and family.

[Neil Spofforth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heartbreaking story. Gary Speed is one of the first players I remember making his debut then follow his career through to retiring.

He is one of the few ‘famous’ deaths that truly affected me. I met him for an autograph as a kid. But the way he came across in his career had a genuine impact on my life.

RIP Gary, always.

[Barry Bridges · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gary Speed was one of Leeds United’s second top flight winning teams. Someone I admired during my adolescence and I was as shocked as everyone by his tragic demise. The book is a worthy tribute to a missed icon.

[Adam Murfet · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very fitting tribute. It’s clear that Gary had mental health challenges since his teenage years and never felt comfortable enough to talk about them. Great insight into a football icon by those who knew and loved him the most.

[Fritzov · Rating 3 out of 5]

very sad story but interesting.

[Karen Morbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dreadfully sad for all that knew and loved Gary. A true encounter of the effects this tragedy had on those left behind.

[Gordon McConnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A real honest read

A really good honest read that tells the life of a most likeable guy who so sadly is not now with us, a right recommendable read.

[Caroline Coward · Rating 5 out of 5]

very moving and sad, such a talented loved human, leaving the question why?

[Asger Torning · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gary Speed was one of my favourite football players. He was an important part of the Leeds United team when we last won the championship and an elegant midfielder. I was shocked when I heard the news of his death and I wanted to read this book to try and understand a bit more about the person behind the player. It was very painful to read this book and I had a hard time finishing it, but I think it gives a good insight into a man who, despite all his footballing qualities, was not a happy person.

[Gary K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lot of input from other people . Was expecting some insight into why he committed suicide but the potential reasons were barely mentioned