MET TOO LATE: GARY SPEED

Many American fans who discovered the Premier League with the recent advent of regularly televised matches in the U.S. would not have heard of Welsh national manager and former Newcastle United midfielder Gary Speed before his sad death being reported today. I hadn't known of him; I'm only now reading up on the man after receiving tributes to him from readers in our email and comment areas. For the familiar and unfamiliar I can commend a piece done on Speed last year by ESPN Soccernet, entitled "Gary Speed: Marathon man." Here's an excerpt:

"During a six-year spell on Tyneside, Speed played under four different managers. Under Dalglish, Speed helped the Geordies reach the 1998 FA Cup Final, where they met a rampant Arsenal side en-route to the double. Under new boss Ruud Gullit, Speed picked up another FA Cup losers medal the following season, as Manchester United beat Newcastle to secure the second trophy of their historic treble.

"After a promising start, Gullit's reign soon descended into madness, and, after dropping Alan Shearer for the much anticipated derby with newly promoted Sunderland, his fate was sealed. Again, Speed drew praise for his calm leadership during a difficult time for the club, and rediscovered his form under Graeme Souness and Bobby Robson. The midfielder had the opportunity to play in Europe with Newcastle and in 2003 - ten years after he had scored his first Champions League goal, for Leeds - Speed netted his second and final European Cup goal, a crucial headed equaliser in a 2-1 win against Dynamo Kiev that helped the Magpies qualify for the second group stage....

"The midfielder left the North East in the summer of 2004 to sign a two-year contract with Bolton Wanderers in a £750,000 deal. Feeling he had lost an important member of his squad, Newcastle boss Robson admitted that Speed still had several seasons ahead of him as a successful Premier League player. Robson was right and, while at Bolton, Speed set two impressive Premier League records. On December 9, 2006, Speed made his 500th Premier League appearance in Bolton's 4-0 win over West Ham United. Amazingly, his 14 years in the Premier League up to this point had seen him miss just 60 games. Shortly after celebrating the landmark, former Newcastle teammate and close friend Alan Shearer described Speed as the 'ultimate professional footballer,' adding: 'Gary could go on forever.' "

It's clear from the tributes online that Speed will go on forever in the minds of the fans who saw him play. As many of our readers would have little knowledge or memory of the man, we invite veteran Newcastle fans to share your memories below so others of us can meet his acquaintance, however late. Godspeed, Gary Speed.

Comments

[Themanmellow]

http://youtu.be/ZIoW2pJVDFk a short video for all those newcastle fans who never got the chance to watch garry speed play for the toon

[Son of St. James - Ever More]

Gary speed was an incredible player, it is a shame that his life ended in suicide, but I have no sympathy for someone who is selfish enough to take his own life when he had a wife and children.

I pray gary, that you find the peace in death the you could not find in life.

[Chris in Newcastle]

An approachable gentleman in a game full of questionable characters Gary Speed was a true inspiration. Rest in peace mate!

[mark d]

A gent, a pro and a personal hero of mine, rest in peace

[Goal Mouth]

Suicide is commit by very depressed people who have done a lot of soul searching. It is not necessarily a selfish act. That is so wrong headed!
There was obviously something very wrong in his life & this is a complete shock.

I totally feel for his family & friends.

As someone that has known friends that have commit suicide, i have tried to understand the 'black hole' that they must have found themselves in.

Regardless of any of that:

Gary Speed was a true Geordie Legend & i don't use that term lightly, he's one of a very select few.
R.I.P.

[Goal Mouth]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdyPHqAM6so&feature=youtu.be

For the uninitiated...

Toon, Toon...

[Son of St. James - Ever More]

@goal mouth - No matter what the troubles, depression, etc. There is always a way out. Especially for a man who had so much going for him. I feel for his family, because they are the ones who pay the price for his selfish (no matter how desperate) act.

Suicide is not a death befitting a man such as him.

He was a geordie hero, and a true toon legend.

[Bob]

I think both sides have a point here. The act puts a terrible strain on others. But it's hard to know what he was going through. Perhaps it's best if we take this time to pay tribute and leave the details until later.

[Rob Moyer]

My two uncles committed suicide when I was in high school and calling it a "selfish act" irritates me. They, for whatever reason, did not feel like they were capable of carrying on in this world. Not a day goes by that I don't think about them but if they are happy now then who are any of us to chastise them?

RIP to Gary, who we can all agree died way too soon.

[Stevie Mac]

I watched Gary Speed throughout his six years at SJP. He had a quiet start in a black and white shirt, but that was due more to a badly balanced team rather than to any fault of his.
He really started to shine in Bobby Robson's team, where he became the lynchpin of the midfield. All great teams are built around tireless schemers who link defence with midfield and midfield with attack; Gary made us into a great team. He could cover every inch of the pitch, always made himself available to give a team mate the option of an easy pass, and he would close the opposition down so quickly. Robson's team had players of pace and flair that overwhelmed opponents, and at the heart of it all it was Speed's tireless graft that enabled Solano, Dyer, Robert, Bellamy and Shearer to shine.
He was lethal in the air and scorded many fine headed goals, especially from set pieces. He was never afraid to go in where it hurts. He also had a sweet left foot and a shot like a bullet.
Away from football, I can't recall a single newspaper headline with his name in it. He was one of the good guys, quiet, level headed, a good friend and dedicated family man.
Both on the pitch and off it Gary Speed was a rock; which is one reason why Sunday's tragic news has shocked qand saddened everyone so profoundly. Rest In Peace, Gary, you will be remembered with great affection.