Newcastle United's All-Time Starting XI

Newcastle United’s All-Time Starting XI

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Central Midfield: Gary Speed

Gary Speed was a great midfielder and was like the Cal Ripken Jr. of the Premier League. He became the first player in the league to reach 500 matches and was nearly always available to play. If you include his First Division appearances before the Premier League was formed, he made an astounding 841 appearances.

Speed was always known as a consummate professional on and off the pitch. He could play several positions with ease and was a tremendous leader in the dressing room and on the pitch. The Wales international made 85 appearances for his country and went on to a career in management after his retirement. He was regarded as one of the best young managers in the game before his passing.

Sadly, Speed was found dead in his home in 2011 in an apparent suicide. It was a tragedy that hit those who knew him and cheered him on straight in the heart. May he rest in peace and we are forever grateful to his service to Newcastle United and the Premier League as a whole.

Next: Right Winger