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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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