THE funeral of Gary Speed will take place later this week, the League Managers Association (LMA) has confirmed. The private funeral and service will take place in Wales and will be for family and close friends. It is by invitation only.

But a public memorial service for the Wales national football team manager is being planned for the new year. A spokesman for the association said: “A memorial service to celebrate Gary’s life will take place soon and hopefully this will allow as many people to attend as wish to be there to pay their final respects and tributes to Gary.”