ALMOST five years after his death, Leeds United and Newcastle United will stage a minute’s applause during Sunday’s match at Elland Road in honour of Gary Speed.
Members of his family plan to attend the Championship fixture as Leeds and Newcastle pay tribute to their former player who died tragically at the age of 42 on November 27, 2011.
The two clubs have requested their supporters to applaud in the 11th minute in recognition of the number 11 shirt worn by Speed at Elland Road and St James’ Park.
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Sunday’s meeting between Newcastle, the Championship’s leaders, and sixth-placed Leeds has attracted a capacity crowd to Elland Road for the first time in almost six years.
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Leeds released a statement saying: “We ask supporters of both Leeds and Newcastle to join together in a minute’s applause as we near the fifth anniversary of Gary’s passing.”
Born in Mancot in Flintshire, Speed began his career as a schoolboy with Leeds and made his first-team debut at 19.
He won a Second Division title medal in 1990 as Leeds secured a return to English football’s top flight under Howard Wilkinson.
During the 1991-1992 season Speed played a major part in the Whites First Division title win featuring in a stellar midfield alongside Gordon Strachan, Gary McAllister and David Batty.
The life and times of Gary Speed
Born on September 8 1969 in Flintshire, Wales
Signs youth forms with Leeds United in 1984, makes first debut in 1988
Went on to play 248 games for The Whites before joining boyhood heroes Everton
Then played for Newcastle, Bolton and Sheffield United before retiring in 2010
Made 85 appearances for Wales, scoring seven goals
Managed Sheffield United and then Wales, where his style and success was heralded
Was found dead from hanging on November 27, 2011, aged 42
He made 248 league appearances for United, scoring 39 goals, before joining his boyhood heroes Everton in 1996 for £3.5m, netting on his debut, ironically against Newcastle, going on to make 58 league appearances for the Toffees where he was club captain.
Newcastle signed him two years later for a fee of £5.5m. Speed was also a member of the side the last time the Magpies played at Elland Road in a 2-2 draw in 2003.
The midfielder made 213 league outings for Newcastle and scored 29 goals during his six years at the club, with highlights being two FA Cup final appearances.
He went on to play for Bolton Wanderers, finishing his career at Sheffield United.
Wales boss Terry Yorath gave him his first cap of 85 against Costa Rica in a friendly at Cardiff's Ninian Park in May 1990 - only a day after Speed had played for the under-21 side against Poland.
Speed will be fondly remembered as one of Welsh football's greats, representing his country as captain and more recently as national team manager.
After retirement in 2010, the Welshman had totaled almost 700 league games and scored 104 goals.
All football fans will share in the loss of a man who, having achieved so much as a player, was on the verge of more promise yet for his nation.
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