Gary Speed's private funeral in home area of Hawarden

'Speed was a role model and a mentor', says Flintshire council chief executive Colin Everett

The private funeral of Wales football manager Gary Speed has taken place near where he grew up.

The League Managers' Association (LMA) said only family and close friends had attended the funeral.

It was held in Hawarden, Flintshire. The LMA is planning to hold a public memorial service soon.

Flintshire council opened a book of remembrance in Speed's memory on Thursday, saying it shared the grief of his family and the public.

Speed, 42, was found dead at his home in Cheshire last month.

"He has been a role model and a mentor for others," said council chief executive Colin Everett.

"The communities of Flintshire are all very proud of Gary's achievements, from being a footballer to a manager."

Football fans and rugby supporters united at the weekend to remember Speed, with a minute's applause at every Premier League fixture and at the Wales-Australia rugby game in the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff.

His widow Louise said through the LMA earlier this week that she and her family expressed "deep appreciation" for the tributes to him.

Stereophonics singer Kelly Jones says he is honoured Speed's widow chose his version of an unofficial Welsh football anthem to be played at his funeral.

Jones re-worked Andy Williams' 1968 hit Can't Take My Eyes Off You as his personal tribute to Speed.

It was adopted by supporters after a BBC Wales promotion for the 1994 World Cup qualifying campaign.

Caps record

Speed took over the Wales job in December 2010.

He was given the top job in Welsh football despite only having four months managerial experience.

Speed began his playing career at Leeds United after coming through the trainee ranks, and was part of the side that won the last Football League title in 1992, before the introduction of the Premier League.

He had his Wales debut as a 20-year-old in the 1-0 friendly win over Costa Rica in May 1990.

He left Leeds in 1996 after 312 appearances to join Everton - who he went on to captain - in a £3.5m move. He later played playing for Newcastle, Bolton and Sheffield United - the club he managed before taking on the Wales role.

He retired from international duty in 2004, having scored seven goals and captaining his country 44 times.

His tally of 85 caps is a record for an outfield player.

People can sign the book of remembrance, opened by Flintshire council an the Football Association of Wales (FAW) which is in the main reception at County Hall, Mold.

There are other books at the FAW offices in Cardiff and at the Racecourse Ground in Wrexham.

Speed grew up in Mancot, attended nearby Hawarden High School and played for Deeside primary schools.