Gary Speed

Three years ago, the football world lost a true great in Gary Speed. He was seen as a role model, an inspiration by many fans before his tragic passing.

Gary (left) holding the Division One Trophy with David Batty

Here are some of Gary Speed’s memorable moments as a player and manager, for clubs and country:

In June 1988, Gary joined Leeds United straight after leaving school

He made his first team debut for Leeds in the second division and never looked back from then onwards. He experienced a 22 year playing career

In 1989-90, Speed and his teammates helped Howard Wilkinson’s side win promotion to the first division in his second full season as a professional footballer

In May 1990, he was handed his first Welsh cap against Costa Rica and enjoyed a total of 85 caps, scoring 7 goals for his country

Speed played a major part in the ultra class of 92′ winning his first major honour when becoming a Football League champion with Leeds in the 1991-92 season

Scoring 57 goals in 312 appearances with United, Speed headed for Merseyside after signing for Everton in a £3.5 million deal

In his first season, he was awarded the player of the year with the Toffees making 65 appearances and netting 17 times

His fee rose again after he signed for Newcastle for £5.5 million in 1998

He featured 284 times for the Toon and endured defeats in the FA Cup finals against Arsenal in 1998 and Manchester United in 1999

Speed also had the pleasure of playing in one of the world’s greatest competitions, the Champions League

He headed to the Reebok Stadium from Newcastle for £750,000 in 2004 and made his 500th Premier League appearance whilst playing for Bolton

Gary decided to carry on playing in the new year of 2008 and signed for Sheffield United

Kevin Blackwell, the manager, insisted Speed to take up a permanent coaching role with Sheffield United after persistent back injuries prevented him from playing

Blackwell was later sacked three games into the 2010-11 season and Speed became his successor

However, in December 2010, Speed took up the offer of managing his country following the sacking of John Toshack

Honours were shared with Speed having five victories, and five defeats to his name in his first ten matches in charge of Wales.

27th November, 2011, marks the death of Gary Andrew Speed.

Gone but never forgotten.