​Gary Speed was one of the Premier League's best and most widely respected players for 16 years - from the divison's inception with Leeds in 1992 until he last played in the top flight for Bolton in 2008.





But the 27th November, 2014 now marks three years to the day since he tragically took his own life.





A sad sporting day. It is also the three-year anniversary of Gary Speed's death. Gone but not forgotten. pic.twitter.com/g49wLaowuC — Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) November 27, 2014





The 42-year-old hanged himself at his Cheshire home on a Sunday morning in 2011, much to the shock of the football world. A day earlier he had appeared as a guest on BBC's Football Focus and then spent the afternoon watching Manchester United take on former club Newcastle at Old Trafford alongside friend and ex-colleague Alan Shearer.





According to those who were with him that day there was no indication that he could be just hours away from suicide and unsurprisingly the news of his premature death was greeted with countless heartfelt condolences from people all over the world.





3 years ago we lost a great man in Gary Speed.. Remembering a true friend. pic.twitter.com/4sQngxQocv — John Hartson (@JohnHartson10) November 27, 2014





Described as a "model professional" by many, Speed began his football career as a 15-year-old in the youth team at Leeds United. He signed his first contract in 1988 and made his senior debut a year later against Oldham Athletic.





The following season Speed became a regular, his versatility an exceptional asset, and by 1992 he was a league champion as Leeds lifted the last First Division title of the pre-Premier League era. In 1996 he moved on to Everton and 18 months later Newcastle, where he became a fan favourite.





Speed played almost 300 times for the Magpies and helped the club to 4th and 3rd place finishes in 2001/02 and 2002/03 respectively, as well as playing against the likes of Juventus, Barcelona and Inter Milan in the Champions League.









Shortly before his 35th birthday, when it appeared his career was quickly winding down, Speed moved to Bolton Wanderers for the twilight of his career. However, he spent another three and a half seasons at the top level, becoming the first player to reach the milestone of 500 Premier League appearances in the process.





A short stint as a player, and later manager, with Sheffield United followed before he took his final appointment in charge of the Welsh national team. As a player Speed had represented his country 85 times, often leading the team out as captain, and had guided the team from a record low 117th in the FIFA rankings to 45th in the space of a few months.





In Speed's last game in charge, just two weeks before his death, Wales crushed Norway 4-1 at Cardiff City Stadium. The upturn that began under his management can still be seen even three years later with Wales now strong contenders to qualify for Euro 2016 and their first major tournament since 1958.





Speed's father Roger now feels the team is carrying the spirit of his son towards France. "They do say they want to (qualify for Euro 2016) for Gary – to do it for Gary's memory. I'd love it if they did it."





Gary Speed MBE, gone but never forgotten.