Devastated Shropshire Welsh star Dave Edwards today mourned the passing of his international boss Gary Speed, declaring he “adored” him as player and manager.

Despite being dogged by injuries over much of he last year, former Shrewsbury Town midfielder Edwards formed a close bond with Speed during his 11-month tenure as Wales boss.

And the 25-year-old admitted his sadness at the events of the last day have been eased a little by the fond memories of the 42-year-old, who was found dead at his home near Chester yesterday.

“It was just little touches which made him such a good manager at such a young age,” said Edwards, who made a late substitute appearance in the 4-1 victory over Norway in what proved Speed’s last game as Welsh boss three weeks ago.

“I was injured for a lot of the time he was the national manager but he always rang up every three or four weeks to see how my progress was going and I was invited down to every game.

“Then, when we beat Switzerland and Bulgaria last month in a (Euro 2012) qualifying double header, he went to the effort of writing to the whole squad four or five days later to thank everyone for their efforts and saying how he was looking forward to it progressing.

“He was doing a fantastic job with Wales. He was so professional and thorough in everything he did and you could see we had a big chance of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup.”

Edwards admitted the former Leeds, Bolton, Newcastle and Everton midfielder had been a role model during his playing days.

“He was playing at the age that I started watching football in the early 1990s and he was someone I adored watching,” added Edwards.

“He was an attacking midfielder who was always looking to get in the box and score goals and he was someone I always wanted to base my game on.

“I think I played in his last game when he played for Sheffield United against Wolves (in November 2008) and that’s a big honour.”

AFC Telford United manager Andy Sinton – the former Spurs, Wolves, and England winger – took part in a legends tournament with Speed in Barbados in the summer.

“I played against him many times during my career and he was a top player,” he said.

“He was part of a fantastic midfield at Leeds with Gordan Strachan and Gary McAllister when they won the league in 1992.

“I don’t know what his wife and two children must be feeling like, when I heard the news I was devastated and I still feel numb.”