Gary Speed Appreciation thread

[Dario Terracotta]

I think it was his last goal for us, Decemebr 1997. Just a couple more games then transferred inJanuary. Not 100% though.

Yep think you are spot on allez.

 

[Tricky Trevor 7]

On the eve of the 5h anniversary of his death I hope tomorrow we offer up a performance worthy of his memory. Gary was an excellent player for Everton, and sadly maligned for the nature of his departure from Everton. Too much misinformation surrounds that episode with Howard and we never really heard the real truth from either of them as far as I'm aware. I do know from a very good friend of his that he was absolutely devastated at leaving our Club and that he vowed never to cause any further damage by giving his view of things.
Always thought he was a thoroughbred midfielder with a fantastic attitude and fully expected him to take up the managers job at Everton.
Share your memories of Gary...I'm sure there were many .

Rest in Peace.

Wow 5 years , was devastated when I heard about Gary speed even now still can't comprehend he's gone RIP Gary .

 

[EFC-FCN]

Gary Speed was a great Evertonian, a great player but more important he was a good, genuine Gentleman. Very badly
mistreated by Everton, a club he loved. He took the training many mornings when the manager wasn't available, to put it mildly, Evertonians, instead of booing Gary, should have asked themselves, why he had to sign a confidentially form in order to get his transfer away from Everton when in fact he was the injured party. Yes there was a phoney involved when
Gary left, it was most certainly NOT Gary Speed. To his credit Gary never uttered a word about the affair once he left
Everton.I think Gary will always be remembered with much affection by the majority of genuine Blues fans.

 

[EFC-FCN]

Here here Dave, I thoroughly agree with you on that, I remember cringing with embarrassment whenever he returned to play at Goodison, and the anger and bitterness was so vicious towards him. I just wonder how many of the people praising him these days were guilty of slaughtering him each time he returned to Goodison !!

 

[Armaghtoffee]

His passing was a real 'where were you moment'. Heartbreaking but a message to us all to talk to someone.

There is no shame in mental health. Hopefully that becomes his legacy.

 

[paultheblue]

Gary Speed was a great Evertonian, a great player but more important he was a good, genuine Gentleman. Very badly
mistreated by Everton, a club he loved. He took the training many mornings when the manager wasn't available, to put it mildly, Evertonians, instead of booing Gary, should have asked themselves, why he had to sign a confidentially form in order to get his transfer away from Everton when in fact he was the injured party. Yes there was a phoney involved when
Gary left, it was most certainly NOT Gary Speed. To his credit Gary never uttered a word about the affair once he left
Everton.I think Gary will always be remembered with much affection by the majority of genuine Blues fans.

Excellent post Gary Speed could have defended himself about what went on at Goodison but chose not too.

 

[RomEFCRom]

5 years? Wow... Where does the time go. Tragic

 

[Azza]

Can't believe how quick time has gone.

 

[evertony]

Gary Speed was a great Evertonian, a great player but more important he was a good, genuine Gentleman. Very badly
mistreated by Everton, a club he loved. He took the training many mornings when the manager wasn't available, to put it mildly, Evertonians, instead of booing Gary, should have asked themselves, why he had to sign a confidentially form in order to get his transfer away from Everton when in fact he was the injured party. Yes there was a phoney involved when
Gary left, it was most certainly NOT Gary Speed. To his credit Gary never uttered a word about the affair once he left
Everton.I think Gary will always be remembered with much affection by the majority of genuine Blues fans.

On the numbers Dave. Just one note being pedantic though about terminology he never wanted "to get his transfer away", he wanted to stay.

 

[evertony]

His passing was a real 'where were you moment'. Heartbreaking but a message to us all to talk to someone.

There is no shame in mental health. Hopefully that becomes his legacy.

You're not wrong AT, although still it's very unclear if mental health was the real issue. Such a tragic loss of a very decent and talented man.

 

[evertony]

Can't believe how quick time has gone.

Listened to that a few times and still has me on the edge of tears.

 

[Zatara]

He was a bit like Baines for me. A blue who looked like he would be brilliant for us but someone we would be really unlikely to sign as I was certain he would be off to Man Utd or someone.

Brilliant player and I was shocked and gutted when he was sold...couldnt believe it or understand why we would ever sell him.

RIP Gary Speed.

 

[bluestevon]

He left a mark at every club he played for. Leeds and Newcastle fans had a joint tribute the other night when they played each other.

Not many do that. Special man, tragic loss. RIP

Was also Captain at every club he played for (and internationally) if i remember correct, not many players have ever done that, Always had the feeling he'd come here as Manager one day as well - which given the way he was progressing with the Wales team wasn't looking to far off.

Such a sad loss of life

 

[Groucho]

Yes I hope we can do him proud.

Funnily enough, I never slated him at all on his returns to Goodison and I'm glad. I was just sad he left. No lifelong blue would willingly have left the club without good personal reasons but let's leave it at that eh?

As I'm sure it did with many, his death made me really quite sad, and affected me rather a lot which I wasn't anticipating. He was, in part, one of the reasons I created this sites' depression thread, so even if it won't bring him back, hopefully others will not go down the same path, and they will pipe up before doing something rash. Indeed we've had a few communications since it's inception that the thread has prevented some folk from doing something they would not have been around to regret, so at least some good has come from it.


Player wise, I was there for his debut, we beat Newcastle 2-0 and ruined Alan Shearer's Newcastle debut, hehe.

Imagine if we'd have had a fully fit squad for more of his time here - Southall, Hinchcliffe, Watson, Limpar, Kanchelskis, Speed, Ferguson? All together at once? Wow. Shame that injuries to several mentioned there prevented this from happening more often.


He was developing into quite the young and ambitious manager, and seemed to be doing well too - I honestly feel that if he'd been alive, Roberto Martinez would never have darkened our doorstep. Gary Speed would've taken over from Moyes, and I'll let you ponder that one.......

 

[kithnou]