GOODISON PARK paid an emotional tribute to Gary Speed yesterday following the death of the former Everton FC midfielder.

Many of Speed’s former Everton FC teammates formed part of the salute to the Wales manager, who died in tragic circumstances eight days ago.

Speed’s father, Roger, joined ex-Everton players Duncan Ferguson, Joe Parkinson, Paul Gerrard, David Unsworth, Michael Ball, Craig Short, Dave Watson, Graham Stuart and Earl Barrett on the pitch for the tribute.

Speed’s career was recognised by the presence of six youngsters wearing the shirts of Leeds United, Everton, Newcastle United, Bolton Wanderers, Sheffield United and the Wales national team, all with his name and respective squad number on the back.

The tribute, which took place shortly before Everton’s home Premier League encounter with Stoke City yesterday, also saw the traditional playing of Z Cars cut short by an airing of the Welsh national anthem.

Speed senior was later embraced by Stoke defender Jonathan Woodgate, a former teammate of his son at Leeds, before he left the field where he had a similar exchange with both David Moyes and Potters counterpart Tony Pulis.