Help Offered To Players After Speed's Death

Gordon Taylor has spelled out the need for football to avoid another tragedy like the death of Gary Speed.

The player's union chief executive told Sky News that the Professional Footballers' Association has had calls this week from people in the game asking for help.

His words echo the claims of the Sporting Chance clinic - subsidised by the PFA - which says it has been approached by a number of footballers looking for help since Speed's death.

"All week we've had people coming on to us, and when I say it's really good, it shows there is a really good support system," said Mr Taylor.

The PFA has its own trained counsellors and, before Speed's apparent suicide, brought out a 36-page booklet giving guidance on handling depression.

It quotes former England players Paul Gascoigne and Andrew Cole giving their experiences and is being sent out to 4,000 members.

It's not known if Speed was suffering from the illness. An inquest into his death was opened and adjourned on Tuesday.

"The booklet has been given some illumination at this sad moment in time with top players like Paul Gascoigne and Andrew Cole," said Mr Taylor.

"Neil Lennon is another who has referred to the problems that he has had.

"As a result I'm hoping that our players, and all the football family, know that there's a support system and they can come on to us.

"What we've got to try to do is make sure that we avoid another such tragedy."

The PFA has been in touch with the Speed family but Taylor reiterated that Speed's widow Louise and teenage sons needed peace and time to grieve.

Mr Taylor added: "I hope that this terrible tragedy with Gary Speed can be a catalyst for people to know we've got to do all we can to avoid it.

"It's terrible just thinking about Gary and we can't bring him back.

"We've just got to make sure we don't have another such terrible tragedy."