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 former Sheffield United,verton, Newcastle, Leeds and Bolton player, who was found dead at his Cheshire home on 27th November, is being planned for the New Year.

A spokesman for the LMA said: “At this time, Louise Speed and her family wish to express their deep appreciation for the very generous and clearly heartfelt tributes paid to Gary and his memory by the public and all forms of the media.

“Mrs Speed is especially grateful for the sympathetic way that the media has respected the family’s privacy in these extremely distressing circumstances.

“She is also acutely aware how Gary touched the lives of so many people and that each of them would wish to thank him for the joy he brought to them.

“Accordingly, 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.”