CHESTER FC will pay tribute to Gary Speed at Saturday’s home game against Worksop Town.

Either a minute’s silence or a minute’s applause will be held before the match to remember the Wales manager, who was found dead at his Chester home on Sunday.

Blues media officer Jeff Banks said: “The club were shocked and saddened to hear the news and our thoughts and condolences go to Gary’s family.

“Gary used to come and watch Chester with friends in the 1980s and we know that he has family members and friends that are both Chester fans and residents.

“Gary was also present at the Exacta Stadium in May, watching his eldest son play in one of the junior finals.”

The Chester board are waiting for a directive from the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League before deciding whether silence or applause will be used to honour Speed, who was 42.

Former Chester City managers Kevin Ratcliffe and Ian Rush have expressed their sadness at the death of the ex-Wales, Leeds United and Everton midfielder.

Ratcliffe, a former Wales and Everton captain, said: “I’m still finding it very hard to speak about it because it was so very, very unexpected.”

Legendary former Liverpool and Wales striker Rush, whose career started at Chester, said: “I’m not surprised that people beyond football have felt the shock of his death because he was not like other footballers. He was a perfect gentleman.”

Devastated Chester-born Manchester United forward Michael Owen added: “He lived in my area, only 10 or 15 miles away. The whole mood of Cheshire when the news broke was utter shock and disbelief.”

See pages 6 & 7 for more on Gary Speed.