Paul Griffiths 27/11/2025 8comments  |  Jump to last

It is 14 years to the day since Gary Speed left us. 

On Saturday, the club will unveil a Gary Speed Memorial Bench at Hill Dickinson Stadium on the Budweiser Fan Plaza with moving words: “IN MEMORY OF GARY SPEED, EVERTONIAN, CAPTAIN, LEADER 1969–2011. A place for what is often unspoken. A place to sit, share and listen.”

It is a talking bench with directions to mental health support services. Trained community staff will be there around the bench. A QR code gives direct access to EitC's mental health programmes, that include the first mental health and wellbeing hub created by a Premier League club when it opened in March 2023.

Talking benches are intended to foster conversation, somewhere for people to pause, talk, sit, think, and learn about support. 

Gary's family will be there on Saturday.

I believe that this was the idea of the Everton Fans' Forum. It's wonderful that it is both a memorial and a resource for anyone who shares Gary\'s pain today. 

 

Reader Comments (8)

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Michael Kenrick
1 Posted 28/11/2025 at 09:20:59
Thanks for spotting this, Paul.

Still so sad to think of the loss to his wife, family and friends.

Mark Murphy
2 Posted 28/11/2025 at 09:31:33
14 years ago yesterday. He would've still been in his mid fifties. So sad.

RIP Gary.

Dave Abrahams
3 Posted 28/11/2025 at 10:07:09
A great footballer and man who never got the credit he deserved off many Everton fans while he was alive but graveside or memorial sites are lovely places to revive memories of loved ones or people you admired.

I thought a lot of Gary. I couldn't believe such a lovely genuine man had passed a way like that and how sad for all his family. Rest in Peace, Gary xxx

Paul Hewitt
4 Posted 28/11/2025 at 10:10:04
He was making his way in management with Wales, and doing a good job.

I'm sure he'd have gone on to manage his club, Everton. 💙

Alan McGuffog
5 Posted 28/11/2025 at 11:21:18
Over the years, Gary kept his own counsel regarding his reasons for leaving Everton. I think most of us have heard quite credible "rumours" about why he left.

Some "supporters" gave him stick for years for what they considered disloyalty. One hopes they have had a word with themselves. RIP Gary.

Christy Ring
6 Posted 28/11/2025 at 13:00:48
Delighted our club has honoured a very special player in Speed, so sad for his family, wife and friends, will never be forgotten, will be an emotional day on Saturday for his family 💙
Eric Myles
7 Posted 28/11/2025 at 13:10:58
And to think that some readers criticise this website for ex-player/manager/staff articles.
Paul Kossoff
8 Posted 29/11/2025 at 15:27:22
Thanks for that, Paul.

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