Gary Speed facts for kids
Speed managing Wales in 2011
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Gary Andrew Speed | ||
| Date of birth | 8 September 1969 | ||
| Place of birth | Mancot, Flintshire, Wales | ||
| Date of death | 27 November 2011 (aged 42) | ||
| Place of death | Huntington, Cheshire, England | ||
| Height | 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 m) | ||
| Playing position | Midfielder | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1984–1988 | Leeds United | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 1988–1996 | Leeds United | 248 | (39) |
| 1996–1998 | Everton | 58 | (16) |
| 1998–2004 | Newcastle United | 213 | (29) |
| 2004–2008 | Bolton Wanderers | 121 | (14) |
| 2008–2010 | Sheffield United | 37 | (6) |
| Total | 677 | (104) | |
| National team | |||
| 1990–1991 | Wales U21 | 3 | (2) |
| 1990–2004 | Wales | 85 | (7) |
| Teams managed | |||
| 2010 | Sheffield United | ||
| 2010–2011 | Wales | ||
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Gary Andrew Speed (8 September 1969 – 27 November 2011) was a famous Welsh footballer and manager. He was known for his amazing career playing for many top clubs. Gary also led the Welsh national team as their manager. Many people say he helped change the team for the better. He set them on a path to future success.
Gary started his professional journey with Leeds United in 1988. He helped them win the English First Division championship in 1992. Later, he played for other big clubs like Everton, Newcastle United, Bolton Wanderers, and Sheffield United. He was a midfielder, often playing on the left side. Gary was also the captain of the Wales national team. He played 85 games for Wales, which was a record for an outfield player for a long time.
After retiring from playing, Gary became a manager. He first managed Sheffield United in 2010. A few months later, he became the manager of the Wales national team. He stayed in this role until he sadly passed away in 2011. Gary was known for being a very fit player who rarely got injured. He played in 535 Premier League matches, which was a record at the time.
Contents
Early Life and Football Beginnings
Gary Speed was born in Mancot, Wales. His parents and two sons were born in Chester, England. He went to Hawarden High School. As a child, Gary loved Everton and supported them. He also worked as a paperboy. Gary played for local teams like Flintshire Schoolboys and Aston Park Rangers. He was good at both cricket and football when he was young.
Club Career Highlights
Gary Speed had a long and successful career playing for five different football clubs.
Playing for Leeds United
Gary joined Leeds United as a young player in 1988. He signed his first professional contract that same year. The manager, Howard Wilkinson, first noticed Gary playing as a left back. Gary made his first team debut at age 19. He played in almost every position on the field, but mostly on the left side.
In 1992, Gary was a key player when Leeds won the First Division championship. He played 41 games and scored seven goals. He was part of a famous midfield team. Leeds manager Howard Wilkinson named Gary as the club's player of the season.
In 1992, Gary scored a "superb left-foot volley" against VfB Stuttgart. He later said this was his best goal ever. He was also chosen for the PFA Team of the Year in the 1992–93 season. Gary played in the 1996 Football League Cup Final. Before leaving Leeds, he played 312 games and scored 57 goals.
Time at Everton
Gary was an Everton fan since he was a child. He joined Everton in 1996 for £3.5 million. He scored in his first game against Newcastle United. In November 1996, Gary scored three goals in one game, which is called a hat-trick. Everton won 7–1 against Southampton. He finished his first season as Everton's joint top-scorer with 11 goals. Gary was also voted Everton Player of the Year.
In 1997, Gary became the club captain. He played his last game for Everton in January 1998, scoring in a 3–1 win. He then moved to Newcastle United. The reasons for his leaving were never fully explained.
Moving to Newcastle United
Gary joined Newcastle United in February 1998 for £5.5 million. He made his debut the very next day. His first goal for Newcastle came in an FA Cup match. He helped Newcastle win 3–1 against Barnsley.
Gary played in the FA Cup Final in 1998 and 1999, but Newcastle lost both times. In 1999, he scored a goal in Newcastle's huge 8–0 win over Sheffield Wednesday. He also played in the UEFA Champions League with Newcastle in 2002. He scored an important goal in a 2–1 win against Dynamo Kyiv.
Playing for Bolton Wanderers
In 2004, Gary moved to Bolton Wanderers. He signed a two-year deal. In December 2006, he became the first player to play in 500 Premier League games. This was a big achievement in his career.
In 2007, Gary was named a first-team coach for Bolton. But he later decided to focus only on playing. He scored a goal for Bolton against Reading in 2007. This made him the only player at that time to score in every Premier League season.
Final Club: Sheffield United
Gary joined Sheffield United on loan in January 2008. He made his debut on the same day. He played regularly and sometimes filled in as captain. Gary scored his first goal for United in a win against Coventry City.
In 2008, Gary got a back injury and missed the rest of the season. He then focused on a coaching role at the club. In 2010, he ran the London Marathon to support the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation. This charity helps people with cancer. Gary officially retired from playing football in 2010. He agreed to stay at Sheffield United as a coach.
International Career for Wales
Gary played for Wales at youth level. He also played 85 times for the senior Welsh team. This made him the second most capped player for Wales at the time. He was captain of Wales 44 times. His first game for Wales was in 1990 against Costa Rica.
He scored his first goal for Wales in 1994 against Moldova. Gary broke the record for most caps by a Welsh outfield player in 2003. He retired from international football in 2004.
Playing Style and Personality
Gary Speed was a very flexible player. He could play in many positions, like left midfield, central midfield, and even left-back. He was especially good as a left-sided attacking midfielder. He was known for his powerful headers. Gary understood the game very well. He could create chances for goals and score them himself.
He was often a captain and was seen as an inspiring leader. His teammates said he led by example. He always wanted the best from everyone around him. Gary was known as a true professional on and off the field. He was hardworking, honest, and always tried to improve. He wasn't born with amazing natural talent. Instead, he worked very hard to develop his skills.
Gary was also very fit and took great care of his body. This helped him avoid injuries and play until he was 39 years old. He rarely missed a game. People also remember Gary as a friendly and supportive person. He cared about others and was well-liked by everyone.
Managerial Career
Managing Sheffield United
In August 2010, Gary Speed became the new manager of Sheffield United. He signed a three-year contract. He managed the team for about four months. In December 2010, he was offered the chance to manage the Wales national team. Sheffield United allowed him to talk to the Football Association of Wales.
Leading the Wales National Team
On 14 December 2010, Gary Speed was confirmed as the new manager of the Welsh national team. He took over from John Toshack. Former Wales manager Mark Hughes supported the choice. He said Gary had a strong personality and was good with people.
Gary's first game as Wales manager was in February 2011. He made 20-year-old Aaron Ramsey the youngest ever Wales captain. In October 2011, Wales's world ranking improved greatly. Gary's last game as manager was a 4–1 win against Norway. In December 2011, Wales was named 'Best Movers' of the year by FIFA. They gained more ranking points than any other country.
Personal Life
Gary Speed married his wife Louise in 1996. They had two sons, Thomas and Edward. Outside of football, Gary was known as a humble and modest person. He also did a lot of charity work. He was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 2010. This was for his great contributions to football. In 2012, Gary's older son, Edward, was chosen for the Wales Under-16 team.
Death and Lasting Impact
On 26 November 2011, Gary Speed appeared on a TV show called Football Focus. The next morning, his wife Louise sadly found him dead.
Tributes to Gary Speed
News of Gary's death shocked the football world. Many people shared their sadness and sent messages to his family. Friends and former teammates, like Robbie Savage and Ryan Giggs, were very upset. Important people like Prime Minister David Cameron also expressed their sorrow. FIFA President Sepp Blatter called Gary "a model professional and a fantastic ambassador."
Football matches held moments of silence or applause to remember Gary. At a game between Swansea City and Aston Villa, fans applauded and sang Gary's name. Many players who knew him were very emotional. At Sheffield United, there were special tributes before a match. Players wore black armbands and warmed up in special shirts.
Gary's family attended many of these tributes. His father led a minute's tribute at Goodison Park. His family was also present at the Reebok Stadium. On 4 January 2012, a friendly match was played in Gary's memory. It was between Wales and Costa Rica, the same teams from his first game for Wales.
Gary Speed's Funeral
Gary Speed's funeral was held on 9 December 2011. About 250 family members and close friends attended. It took place in the village of Hawarden. Only small crowds gathered outside the church. No members of the press were allowed inside. Gary was later cremated.
His Legacy in Welsh Football
Gary Speed's hard work greatly improved Welsh football. He made changes to training facilities and team culture. This helped Wales become much more successful in the years after his death. They qualified for Euro 2016. They also reached the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. This ended a 64-year wait to play in the World Cup.
His memory became a key part of the team's shared goal. Before the Qatar World Cup, his former teammate Neville Southall said Gary gave the team "belief." Wales captain Gareth Bale also honored Gary. He said Gary's vision was to improve all of Welsh football, not just the playing. Bale believes Gary is "looking down on us with a big smile."
Honours and Achievements
Player
Leeds United
- Football League First Division: 1991–92
- Football League Second Division: 1989–90
- FA Charity Shield: 1992
- Football League Cup runner-up: 1995–96
Newcastle United
- FA Cup runner-up: 1997–98, 1998–99
Individual Awards
- PFA Team of the Year: 1992–93 Premier League
Images for kids
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Floral tributes to Gary Speed at Elland Road.
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See also
In Spanish: Gary Speed para niños
