Leeds remember Gary Speed
Leeds had been the career starting point for the young Welsh man, and played a pivotal role in developing him into the man appreciated and loved by most football fans. The first game to be played at Elland Road following his untimely death was always going to be a poignant one.
Outside, tributes had been left at the Billy Bremner statue from the first few hours of the story breaking. A week later, and the tributes were still pouring in. Inside Elland Road, his family had been welcomed to the club and were in the old directors box. As the players came out of the tunnel and the remembrance minute began, the emotion was clearly too much for many of his relatives.
The entire stadium rang to the sound of applause, and a chorus of ‘There’s only one Gary Speed’ soon followed. The match turned out to become a side event, with the crowd vocally active throughout the 90 minutes – indeed, ‘Ohhh Gary, Gary Gary Gary Gary Speed’ echoed heartrendingly around for a good constant 10 minutes. The atmosphere was respectful and emotionally charged, and served as an excellent reminder as to how much football can touch thousands of peoples’ lives. Money and scandal does not come into it on days like today, football for the love of football.
Fittingly, Robert Snodgrass scored a second half brace to seal a 2-0 victory over Millwall on this most sorrowful of days.
Fans crowd around the Billy Bremner statue at Elland Road, to remember the late Wales manager Gary Speed
The Billy Bremner statue at Elland Road is covered with flowers, shirts and dedications to the late Wales manager Gary Speed
The Billy Bremner statue at Elland Road is covered with flowers, shirts and dedications to the late Wales manager Gary Speed
Tearful fans pay their respects to the late Gary Speed with a silent vigil by the Billy Bremner statue at Elland Road
England v Australia – 4 Nations Final
England's Sam Tomkins fumbles a catch under pressure at Elland Road
England's James Graham is challenged at Elland Road
England's Sam Tomkins and Ryan Hall lead the applause following defeat at Elland Road
Australia celebrate with the cup following victory at Elland Road
Australia's Sam Thaiday, captain Darren Lockyer and Cameron Smith pose for photographs at Elland Road
Teachers and civil servants strike in Manchester
Crowds gather as the protest begins on Oxford Road
Protesters make their way through Manchester
Protesters arrive at the Castlefield basin
Intruder fatally stabbed in Salford home
A police officer stands guard outside the scene of the incident on Ethel Avenue, Salford
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A police officer stands guard outside the scene of the incident on Ethel Avenue, Salford
Police vehicles form a road block at Ethel Avenue on the A666 in Salford
Great City Games
The afternoon of May 16th, provided host to a gathering of the world’s top sprinters. The coming together was for naturally, for competition, on an temporary built running track down Manchester’s Deansgate road.
A new world record (my 2nd of the year!) was set in the men’s 200m straight track event, with Tyson Gay romping home in 19.41 seconds – into a headwind. Fantastic to watch and a privilege to photograph!
Leeds Rhinos 10 v 18 Melbourne Storm – Gillette World Club Challenge Cup
I was lucky enough to be at Elland Road (home of Leeds United FC) for this promising tie between two of the world’s best rugby league teams. What a tie it turned out to be! With Rhinos taking the early lead, Storm fought back and easily managed the win in the second half.
