The loss of Gary Speed in 2011 was a huge blow to the footballing world and it hit British football hard.
Speed spent the first eight years of his career at Leeds United and then had a two year spell at Everton. He would later move Tyneside to Newcastle for six years.
Those two sides met in today's early kick off in the Championship. It was the first league meeting between the two sides since Speed's death and with his anniversary in seven days time, both clubs paid tribute to their former star before and during the game.
Prior to kick off, the players donned shirts with 'Speed 11' and a sold-out Elland Road applauded Speed's parents, Roger and Carol.
📷 Both sets of teams wearing t-shirts in tribute of @LUFC and @NUFC legend Gary Speed pic.twitter.com/bL16YhJvGt
— Leeds United (@LUFC) November 20, 2016
Tremendous reception from both sets of fans for the parents of Gary Speed, who are attending today's game. #NUFC #LUFC
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) November 20, 2016
That wasn't the only tribute. On the 11th minute, the entire stadium rose for a minute's applause.
In the 11th minute of today's game, supporters will be observing a moment's applause in memory of Gary Speed. #NUFC pic.twitter.com/kSXqmNnsID
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) November 20, 2016
Fantastic tribute to No 11 #GarySpeed #LUFCvNUFC #lufc #mot Great effort by both sets of fans @LUFC @NUFC pic.twitter.com/cQc4vgMVti
— we are resource (@WeAreResource) November 20, 2016
The Welsh midfielder won a Second Division and First Division medal with the Yorkshire club and played over 200 times for the Toon.
The fifth anniversary of his death falls next Sunday.
