Given's tears for pal Speed

SHAY Given was moved to tears as a minute's silence was held for his close friend Gary Speed who was found dead in his home at the age of 42.
 

Cheshire Police confirmed on Sunday morning that Speed, who was the manager of the Welsh national football team, had been found dead on the outskirts of Chester and said that there were 'no suspicious circumstances.'
 

Given was a team-mate of Speed's at Newcastle United between 1998 and 2004, where the Welsh midfielder 213 games. The pair were close friends and Given couldn't hold back the tears as he prepared to play for Aston Villa against Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium.
 

After talks in the morning about postponing the game, the fixture went ahead and Given was among several players close to Speed who had to play just hours after learning of the shock death. A moments silence quickly turned into an emotional round of applause and Given could be seen battling away the tears as he took his place in the goal. The Donegal man went on to keep a clean sheet in a 0-0 draw.
 

Speed is a former Leeds United, Everton, Newcastle United and Bolton Wanderers midfielder who was appointed Welsh manager in December 2010.

The Football Association of Ireland paid tribute to Speed in a statement issued which read: "The Football Association of Ireland, the football management and the players today expressed their sincere condolences to the family and colleagues of the Welsh manager Gary Speed. He will be sadly missed by everyone and our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time are with his family. Ar Dheis De go dti anam."