Wales' players and staff have observed a poignant minute of silence in memory of former player and manager Gary Speed, who tragically passed away 11 years ago on Sunday.
Speed, who played as a midfielder for Leeds, Everton, Newcastle, Bolton and Sheffield United, scored seven goals in 85 appearances in an impressive career with Wales.
He later became their manager and brought about an upturn in fortunes for Wales as they climbed up the FIFA rankings following a period in the doldrums which saw them drop outside the world's top 100 teams.
It is widely believed that Wales' success in reaching the semi-finals of Euro 2016 and qualifying for this World Cup would have been impossibe without the work Speed started, before he tragically took his own life on November 27, 2011 at the age of just 42.
At their training base in Qatar, the players and staff observed a minute's silence for Speed on Sunday.
"Gary was a great man, he’s often in the players’ thoughts," midfielder Joe Allen said ahead of the team's final group game against England on Tuesday.
♥️ Cymru squad and staff today held a minute’s silence ahead of training in memory of Gary Speed. #TogetherStronger pic.twitter.com/yFpEMQlWarNovember 27, 2022
"He was an inspiration first and foremost as a player and then as a manager.
"He played a big part in the start of the journey that this team has been on. We remember him very fondly."
