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Gary Speed came through Leeds' youth team and established himself
as a left-winger with great pace as Wilko's side dragged itself out of
Division 2. For several years he delivered on his early promise,
gaining international recognition, forming a key part of the
Championship-winning midfield and scoring quite a few goals. He's
always been particularly effective in the air, scoring several of his
goals, outjumping and outhanging far taller players in the
process.
After Leeds had gained the Championship, he seemed to plateau and
then decline in enthusiasm and commitment. He'd do the odd thing that
looked good on the TV highlights programmes ("That Speed looks
brilliant," friends who'd not just sat through a performance in which
he'd broken into a sweat twice in 90 minutes would say). It wasn't
a huge surprise to see him go, and at the end of the 1995-96 season
he joined Everton. He never quite settled there, and 18 months later
was on his way to Newcastle where he remains a key part of the team,
having seemingly regained his enthusiasm for the game (or maybe
that's just me watching the highlights...).
lea brayson says: Gary Speed is a really nice person. so kind and
thoughtful. iam a newcastle fan and have met him on several occasions
while he has been out and he has been kind enough to stop and chat to
all of the fans
john says: get back in to leeds
Emma says: I have met speedy many times when he played for leeds
but haven't seen him for 10 years now as I stopped following footy
when he left to go to everton. But hes the best and a fine man if you
read any of this Gary, hi to you I've got hundreds of picy's of you
and me stood in front of batts celica at the training pitch, you were
always a gent your a good man! I doubt you'll come back to yorkshire
now but it would be great if you did!
Peter Williams says: not too many can say they were born in
Mancot. That would have been the logical place for Michael Owen to
have been born, as it is the local hospital for thearea, but Mike's
Dad took his wife to Chester so that his son could be English tho they
lived in Wales. Shame.
liz hopkins says: Yeah i met him at the villa newcastle game 2
seasons ago, hes georgeous!!!!!!!!
David Mills says: Gary was a fantastic player as an apprentice at
leeds who had great commitment and enthusiasm. We had some great
times at our digs in Leeds (Mr and Mrs Dyer) which we shared in season
1986-87 and he deserves all the credit and praise he receives from
fans and peers alike. Good luck to Gary for the future.
Colette says: My 12 year old is trying to do a school project on
Gary Speed is having difficuly finding much out about him, other than
his Leeds, Everton and Newcastle history. Anyone with any info on him
i.e. young years, family, kids etc if you could mail this back to me
we would be most grateful.
Lisa Rosenblatt says: Hi Gary! Can you please visit me in Hartford,
CT. I will take you to the Mark Twain House.
charlie P says: gary is a legend, brilliant player and an asset to
Wales! just wondering if anyone knows if he speaks welsh? please reply
asap! thanks.
toffeegirl says: hi gary how does it feel to off stabbed 38'000
evertonians in the back? maybe one day u will do the descent thing and
tell us why a so called everton fan left r club like u did.i met u at
bellefield lots of times and asked u hundreds of times were u leaving
and u said no.
ste says: Calm down toffee girl, Gary probably wanted to play for a
good side and he did. Speed would make it on to my all time bench -
well done Welsh man.
Ste again says: P.S F**kin brilliant in the air and an emphatic
Left peg - even now - and he's 63!!!
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