Speedo memories

[davidpinder]

Just wondered if anyone would like to share memories and Gary Speed whether it was playing for us or against us, i personally saw speed on quite a few other occasions other than in a red and white shirt.

Away at Elland road we lost 4-0 in the 1989-90 promotion season Speed ran half the length of the field and put the ball past Tracey it was a quality goal.
I also remember speed scoring against at the lane for Leeds as well, i think that was the year after. Other than that the rest of my memories are playing and coaching for us scoring a brace in a 2-1 win over Bristol city at the lane sticks in my mind.

All memories welcome, watching him on TV at the games whatever comes to mind.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

That Bristol City game summed up everything about Speed for me. He started in centre-midfield, but was quickly shifted back to be an emergency centre-half after Ehiogu went off injured (possibly through giving away a penalty). Speed then scored from a header at a corner (great headerer of the ball), then later scored a penalty to win it. He was superb in defence that day - one of the best games I saw him play for us.

 

[Grecian2000]

great headerer of the ball

Indeed. Good at shootering and passering as well.

 

[beechblade]

Can't remember many games, I have a terrible memory when it comes to football matches.

The main memory I have of him though was at the Fan's Forum, after he was just appointed Blades manager, I was sat right on the front row and also managed to ask a question quite early on in the precedings. Speed was brillant that night, very warm and welcoming. The banter between him, Morg's and Britton that night was good, nothing like comedic gold just good, afterwards he was still very approachable and welcomed the fans engaging with him.
My cousin who's a piggy came with me, he just wanted to meet Speed and Morg's, both of us had just started coaching football more regular so also wanted to get to hear, what makes a pro tick. It was a good night and it's a good memory to have. Thanks Gary.

 

[judge]

he always carried his self with a certain dignity ,after he left us i never heard him once badmouth the club
there are rumours that he left everton after having to give a team talk at half time as the manager was too pissed to speak (im sure you all know who im referring to ) and after he left the club he never went public with this even though he was booed by evertonians who thought he had walked out on the club

makes it even harder to understand the circumstances of his passing but as some have stated on here already when you are in that place where you feel the world is against you and all your problems seem magnified a million times its very hard to pull yourself back together again

so i suppose my abiding memorys of him are more to do with his character than his footballing ability

 

[raul]

Through ball to Billy on opening day 08/09 v QPR was the first thing I thought of when I heard.

 

[Jehovah]

Dont know why, but at Oakwell when Sharp scored the winner. I remember the snow coming down and then Speed bombing forward and cracking a shot against the inside of the post. It stuck out in my mind how fast he was running and thinking god, hes fast for his age.

 

[Patrick Suffaux]

Remember the first time I saw him play from the stands.

It was the cup semi-final against Newcastle at Old Trafford, when he played against us.

He was in his prime and bossed the game. Easily the best player on the pitch.

I was young and really looked up to him from that point, a real role model.

Had the privelege of meeting him once. Great footballer, lovely man.

 

[bricktop]

I remember him turning in a superb performance at Blackpool early in the 08/09 season where he ran the game and scored as well. I couldn't believe that he was 39 at that stage because he was still playing like a player in his early 20's. Seem to recall Blackwell commenting on his fitness and age and saying he was 'a freak of nature'.

 

[sheffielder]

Sheffield United 0 V 4 Scunthorpe

I didn't care we had lost, best game of football I had seen in a long time and thought we were on the right tracks.

 

[Superblades]

Sheffield United 0 V 4 Scunthorpe

I didn't care we had lost, best game of football I had seen in a long time and thought we were on the right tracks.

A very weird game had loads of chances but didn't take them and played some great stuff. That game doesn't seem over a year ago!

 

[sitwell]

Away at Donny ,we had had enough of Blackwell and were playing shit. The whole away end started singing Gary Speeds red and white army ,he was always going to be manager after that.

 

[Bladesman]

Speed's Penalty against Bristol is one for me.

[video=youtube;ubyfgfEFQfo]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubyfgfEFQfo[/video]

 

[SRBlade]

What springs to my mind was his ability to almost smash the woodwork in two from about 25 yards.

Other than that i just remember a sense of pride when he signed for us, at 39, he really was that McCall type player we craved since 2004, but he seemed better. Back and forth from box to box with grit and determination to protect the defence while being able to supply the front two with passing like the one mentioned against QPR. If David Silva had played a ball like that against liverpool SSN would still be replaying it now.

 

[bladeinlondon]

He had a great pair of legs - sorry a birds view but true

 

[SouthEssexBlade]

First time I saw him was that game at Leeds in 89-90. A young, very promising player on the left side of midfield that my mate (Leeds fan) had been raving about. After that game I knew exactly what he meant. Speed destroyed us that day, scored a belter and we just couldn't handle him.

He was probably at his peak playing wise at Everton and Newcastle. His goal against Liverpool for Everton always sticks in my mind, more for the celebration than the quality of the goal.