Seasons2021-22Everton News
Gary Speed: Out of a tragic death, a lasting and transformative legacy for Welsh football was born
"This year marks a decade since Speed's death. This weekend, Leeds United host Everton: Gary's first club, where he won the First Division title as a precocious and inspirational 23-year-old, against his second, the club he had supported as a boy.
“It will be an occasion of sadness as both clubs dwell on the hidden monster of mental and emotional distress and the absence of Speed in the stands, but also of gratitude for the happiness he provided to so many.
“Speed did leave a legacy. The rise of the Wales national team over the last decade is a statue to the communal spirit of their group and an association finally able to have all parts moving in the same direction, but nobody is under any illusions of who helped to make it possible.”
» Read the full article at inews.co.uk
Reader Comments (22)
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2 Posted 20/08/2021 at 17:00:39
3 Posted 20/08/2021 at 17:06:08
4 Posted 20/08/2021 at 17:14:14
5 Posted 20/08/2021 at 17:30:01
6 Posted 20/08/2021 at 18:32:35
In both cases, we were all gutted that our best players chose to leave, and what better way to express that emotion than shouting something vile!
During a pretty awful period for Everton (yes, even worse than recent years), he was our standout player, and it is a very sad story what happened in the end, especially for his family.
7 Posted 20/08/2021 at 18:35:08
I guess we'll never understand what caused Gary Speed to sadly take his life, but it highlights that despite the riches and seeming benefits we often accuse footballers of having, they also sacrifice much and don't enjoy the normal things many of us take for granted.
Mental Health is close to my heart. I have many friends who are impacted by their experiences and I guess I have been too. I have my dogs, they listen. It's so important to talk; don't bottle things up people.
God bless you Gary. It was great to see you play for Everton and live the dream I dreamed of. How fitting that this weekend it is Leeds v Everton. I trust the clubs will make a fitting tribute to a fine servant of the beautiful game.
8 Posted 20/08/2021 at 19:11:21
It was to Speed's eternal credit that he chose not to reveal what had gone on in that dressing room. Not all who present were able to keep their lips so admirably sealed.
9 Posted 20/08/2021 at 21:23:52
Sadly missed.
10 Posted 20/08/2021 at 22:51:26
11 Posted 21/08/2021 at 00:17:29
Ive no idea what or whom it concerned, but that has always been my memory of that transfer.
Obviously, I dont know for certain about the clause, but it was widely reported in papers, TV, etc.
12 Posted 21/08/2021 at 01:27:04
RIP gentleman!
13 Posted 21/08/2021 at 07:55:34
14 Posted 21/08/2021 at 10:06:39
Even boyhood Evertonians like the ones mentioned; Gary Speed and Wayne Rooney. They have to be professional, separate from the personal and make career decisions.
The emotion is for us supporters.
15 Posted 21/08/2021 at 19:37:35
I'm a great believer in the saying, that you reap what you sow, and through the tragedy, this is definitely what has happened to Welsh football. Gary Speed will always be the man I credit with the change in the Welsh's footballing fortune because he definitely put his country's footballers on the right lines imo. 🙏👏👏
16 Posted 26/08/2021 at 13:16:46
17 Posted 26/08/2021 at 13:24:05
I for one never speculate about the circumstances of his death out of respect !
The one ‘famous person who died that really hit me! RIP
18 Posted 04/09/2021 at 21:56:08
19 Posted 09/09/2021 at 06:35:26
21 Posted 09/09/2021 at 07:45:54
Could and should have played at a higher level I think but he did play Champions League football with Newcastle.
He probably thought, as most did that when he came to us in 1996 then we'd be progressing once more from our 6th place finish the previous season.
22 Posted 09/09/2021 at 08:35:55
A terrific footballer. God bless him and his family.
23 Posted 09/09/2021 at 08:40:35
“You know why I'm leaving, but I can't explain myself publicly because it would damage the good name of Everton Football Club and I'm not prepared to do that.”
Whilst I support Everton, if I got treated that bad, no way I would keep quiet. You have to a knowledge what type of human being does that.
RIP Gary.
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1 Posted 20/08/2021 at 16:34:55
I can't believe that it's 10 years since Gary Speed died, as I recall it, he appeared on the 'Football Focus Show' the day before, and there was no hint of the troubled mind that led him to take his own life. It proves to me that footballers or managers are as prone to stress as anyone, irrespective of the apparent luxurious lives that they live.
He receives my respect, because he never divulged his reason for leaving Everton, despite the many rumours that circulated. RIP Gary.