Speed Profile

By Mark Heys
May 21 2006

 

Gary Speed

Born: Mancot, 8th September 1969

International Honours: Wales Full, U21, Yth

Position: Midfielder

Squad Number: 6

Former Clubs: Leeds United, Everton, Newcastle United

Bolton secured a transfer coup when they paid Newcastle United a fee of £750,000 for experienced midfielder Gary in July 2004. The Welshman is the record appearance holder in the Premiership having appeared in over 400 games since it's formation in the 1992-1993 season.

A natural leader on the pitch, it is no surprise to note that he has captained his all of his previous clubs as well as his country Wales, for whom he won over 80 caps prior to his retirement in October 2004.

His experience of top class football meant that he settled into his first season at Bolton in no time at all. A season previously he had helped Newcastle United to the Semi Finals of the UEFA Cup, but unfortunately could not add any silverware to his collection to represent what was an excellent stint in the North-East.

He had lined up alongside Gordon Strachan, Gary McAllister and David Batty in the successful Leeds United title winning team of 1992 and was an FA Cup finalist with Newcastle on two seperate occasions so this stood him in good stead for moving to Bolton.

He started in all but one of Bolton's Premiership matches in 2004-2005, and proved to be a leathel threat at delivering set pieces to team mates via corners and free-kicks. At times he found himself on the end of set pieces but could not execute them as goals, despite doing so with ease for each of his previous clubs

However the longest goal draught of his career was ended in April 2005 when he scored an equalising goal for Bolton in their Premiership match against Aston Villa at Villa Park in a game which had kept the Trotters on course for a European place.

Following his retirement from the international set-up he was approached to replace Mark Hughes as the Welsh national coach. Hughes had gone to manage Blackburn Rovers and the Welsh Football Association saw Speed as an ideal and enthuisiastic replacement

Speed declined the offer, instead opting to see out his playing days with Bolton. His contract at the Reebok Stadium ends next summer and he has already expressed a desire to go into coaching when his long and distinguished player career is over

In the 2005-2006 season, despite his advancing years, the likeable Welshman remained an important part of the Bolton team. His experience and enthusiasm was a vital asset for the club to have as they reached the later stages of the UEFA Cup.

Speed also managed to get in amongst the goals during that campaign, including a superb acrobatic effort in 4-1 demolition of West Ham United in March.

In the 2006-2007 season he produced his best goals tally since arriving at the club with eight Premiership goals to his name including a fine free kick against Liverpool which caused controversy as it should never have been awarded in the first place.

He also became the clubs regular penalty taker last season scoring in the games against Watford, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham and in May 2007 he was appointed as Bolton's player/coach as new manager Sammy Lee re-organise his backroom team.

That role was to last only a few months and after losing his place in the first team starting line up he was loaned to Sheffield United at the start of the transfer window in January 2008.

BOLTON RECORD: 107 appearances, 13 goals