Newcastle United postpone tribute to Gary Speed

Gary Speed made almost 300 appearances for Newcastle

Newcastle United have postponed a planned tribute to former player Gary Speed at the request of his widow.

The Tyneside club had planned a tribute which Louise Speed was due to attend, but she will now be at a tribute at another of his former clubs, Leeds.

Newcastle United said they had taken the decision to postpone Saturday's tribute until 17 December.

Speed, a 42-year-old player-turned-manager, was found hanged at his Cheshire home by his wife on Sunday.

The club's managing director Derek Llambias said: "We have received a request from Louise Speed to postpone our planned tribute to her husband Gary in order that she can join us at the stadium when our tribute takes place.

"Louise has been very touched by the plans and expressed a desire to be present.

"As Louise will be at Elland Road tomorrow, on her request we have rescheduled our tribute and it will now take place at our next home game against Swansea on 17 December.

"A minute's applause for Gary will still take place before kick-off on Saturday."

Newcastle United had planned to have Welsh tenor Gwyn Hughes lead a capacity crowd of 52,000 in the hymn Bread of Heaven before a minute's applause ahead of their Barclays Premier League clash with Chelsea.

Supporters in the East Stand were also to be provided with black and white cards which, when held up, would depict the number 11, the shirt number Speed wore during his spell on Tyneside.

The Wales manager made 285 appearances and scored 40 goals for the Magpies during a six-and-a-half-year spell with the club.

Leeds, the club for which he made 312 appearances and won the title, will be naming the Gary Speed suite before their clash with Millwall at Elland Road.

Leeds have also confirmed that their players will wear black armbands during the Championship encounter.

There will also be a minute's applause before kick-off.