Jim Rosenthal devastated over Gary Speed death (From Bucks Free Press)

Football presenter Jim Rosenthal recalls Marlow meeting with Gary Speed and says he shares the nation's shock

7:00am Thursday 1st December 2011 in Cookham Exclusive By James Nadal

TV football frontman Jim Rosenthal has recalled the time he met Gary Speed in Marlow and revealed how that day shaped his view of the man.

Cookham resident Jim told the Bucks Free Press he was just as horrified and stunned as everyone after hearing the Wales boss had apparently taken his own life on Sunday, aged just 42.

The world of sport has been utterly shellshocked by his death, with a huge outpouring of emotion seen at football clubs across the land.

Jim, whose career presenting live football has spanned decades, remembers meeting the ex-Premier League midfielder in Marlow in 1996.

He was playing for Leeds United at the time and the team were staying at The Compleat Angler in Marlow in preparation for the League Cup Final against Aston Villa.

The day the game was due to be played, at Wembley Stadium, Jim, who knew Leeds boss Howard Wilkinson, went down to the riverside hotel to talk to the players.

“I popped down with Howard Wilkinson and wished them luck, I spoke to Gary Speed there,” he recalled.

“They went on that afternoon to get absolutely battered, they lost 3-0 to Villa.

“I was reporting that day and I had the unenviable job of getting people out (to speak on camera) and I knocked on the Leeds dressing room door and asked who would come out and speak to the fans.

“The only person who appeared was Gary Speed.

“He fronted up and I think you can tell a lot about people who come out at a time like that when you've just lost the cup final at Wembley.

“From that day on I held him in very high regard and I worked with him a couple of time as well.”

Speaking to the Bucks Free Press before presenting coverage of Tottenham Hotspur's European tie on Channel 5 last night, he said: “I share the devastation and shock and feelings for the family for what's happened.

“It was one of those moments, you had to sit down when you heard the news.”

Asked how he would sum up the former Everton and Newcastle United star, he replied: “Someone who had everything to live for.

“I think he brightened up everyone's life who he came across.”

Mr Speed leaves a wife and two children behind.

Either a minute's silence or applause has been taking place before all English and Welsh club games since the news broke.

Leave your tributes to Gary Speed below.