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Gary Speed

Wales Manager and football legend Gary Speed took his own life early on Sunday. The shock throughout the football world – players, managers, and fans alike – has been almost palpable. Whatever internal or external demons drove him to that tragic end, in the fullness of time it will be as a very fine player and a gentleman of the game that he will be remembered. Yesterday on the BBC fans rang in with stories of his courtesy and total lack of arrogance; those inside the sport talked of his dedication and the professionalism that allowed him to play until nearly 40; of how he never forgot a journalist’s name or that of a fan met just once before; of his ability to inspire. Football could ill afford to lose such a figure.

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Gulliver’s Travels Published - 1726, Woolwich Tunnel Opens - 1912, Churchill becomes PM again - 1951, Beatles Receive MBEs - 1965, Last Natural Smallpox Case - 1977
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