46 Facts About Gary Speed

Gary Andrew Speed was a Welsh professional footballer and manager.

Gary Speed captained the Wales national football team until retiring from international football in 2004.

Gary Speed was the most capped outfield player for Wales and the second overall with 85 caps between 1990 and 2004 until being overtaken by Chris Gunter in 2018, playing mainly as a left-sided attacking midfielder.

Gary Speed was appointed manager of Sheffield United in 2010, but left the club after a few months in December 2010 to manage the Wales national team, remaining in this role until his death 11 months later.

Gary Speed was born in Mancot, Flintshire, Wales, although his parents Roger and Carol, sister Lesley and sons Thomas and Edward were all born in Chester.

Gary Speed began his career with Leeds United as a trainee when he left school in June 1988, and was Peter Swan's boot boy, before he signed a professional contract on 13 June 1988.

Gary Speed would go on to play in nine out of the ten outfield positions, although he was predominantly a left-sided player.

In September 1992, Gary Speed was pivotal in Leeds' UEFA Champions League first-round tie against VfB Stuttgart.

On 4 October 1995, Gary Speed scored the winning goal as Leeds beat second division side Notts County in the second round of the League Cup.

The match had seemed to be going to extra time, but Gary Speed's 90th-minute winning goal kept Leeds from needing a replay to overcome their lower-league opponents.

Gary Speed featured in the 1996 Football League Cup Final defeat by Aston Villa.

Gary Speed made his debut on 17 August 1996, scoring against Newcastle United.

Gary Speed finished the season with 11 goals, joint top-scorer with Duncan Ferguson.

Gary Speed was voted Everton Player of Year for his performances during his first season at the club.

Gary Speed featured in the club's FA Cup Final defeat to Manchester United on 22 May 1999.

On 1 May 2007, Gary Speed was named as the first-team coach for Bolton after Sam Allardyce stepped down from his job as manager.

Gary Speed scored a header for Bolton against Reading on 25 August 2007, making him, at the time, the only player to have scored in every Premiership season to date.

Gary Speed played regularly for the rest of the season and deputised as captain when Chris Morgan was unavailable.

Gary Speed started the next season as a regular fixture in the United midfield, but succumbed to a back injury in November 2008.

Gary Speed continued training and completed the 2010 London Marathon in aid of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, the cancer charity founded by Speed's former Newcastle manager, who had died of the illness in 2009.

Gary Speed's finishing time was 3 hours, 49 minutes and 22 seconds.

Gary Speed finally announced his retirement from playing in his 41st year, but agreed to remain at Sheffield United for at least one more season as a coach.

Gary Speed played for Wales at youth level and earned three caps for the under-21 team.

Gary Speed played 85 times for Wales, making him the second highest capped player only behind goalkeeper Neville Southall who made 92 appearances until Speed was surpassed by Chris Gunter in 2018.

Gary Speed broke the record held by Dean Saunders for most caps by a Welsh outfield player when he won his 76th against Finland in a Euro 2004 qualifier on 10 September 2003.

Gary Speed was a versatile player who could play in left midfield, central midfield, and at left-back, but playing mainly as a left-side attacking midfielder, with a knack for directing powerful headers towards goal.

Gary Speed possessed great tactical awareness, and could both create and score goals.

Gary Speed was well known as a 'consummate professional' both on and off the field.

Gary Speed had a reputation as an extremely fit footballer who looked after his body.

Gary Speed had a modern approach to diet and fitness, a rare quality amongst players of his generation.

Gary Speed had a reputation as a friendly and supportive person, who cared for and took an interest in the lives of the people around him; his 'nice guy' persona made him a popular and well respected figure amongst his peers.

On 11 December 2010, Gary Speed was linked with the vacant Wales manager job along with John Hartson, Brian Flynn, Chris Coleman and Lars Lagerback.

Gary Speed married his fiancee Louise in 1996; the couple had two children, Thomas and Edward.

Outside his football career, Gary Speed was known by friends as a humble and modest person, echoed by David Moyes.

Gary Speed took part in charitable works and fighting for footballers' rights.

Gary Speed was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire in the 2010 Birthday Honours for services to football.

The letter was addressed to Louise and it was written when Gary Speed was 17 years old.

On 26 November 2011, Gary Speed appeared as a guest on the BBC One television programme Football Focus; presenter Dan Walker later described him as being in "fine form".

Gary Speed's death was announced to the public by the Football Association of Wales a few hours later.

An inquest into Gary Speed's death convened on 29 November 2011; it was adjourned until 30 January 2012.

News of Gary Speed's death was first announced by the Football Association of Wales, who extended their sympathies and condolences to Gary Speed's family.

The match between Swansea City and Aston Villa at the Liberty Stadium, held only hours after Gary Speed's death was announced, was dedicated to his memory.

Former teammates and colleagues were invited to the match; there was a minute's applause before the match; players warmed up in specially designed shirts; players and coaches wore black armbands; the match day programme was dedicated to Gary Speed; Sheffield United captain Chris Morgan and former Sheffield United and Welsh international Rob Page laid wreaths on pitch side just before kick-off.

Gary Speed's funeral, attended by around 250 members of his family and close friends took place in the village of Hawarden on 9 December 2011.

Gary Speed's memory became part of "the sense of collective purpose" of the organization.

Gary Speed had a burning ambition to take Wales into a tournament and, in his time as manager, he made players believe in themselves.