Newcastle Toons
Fansided

Newcastle United: Top ten midfielders in club history

By Roy Emanuel

NEWCASTLE, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 7: Gary Speed of Newcastle is presented with an award for playing his 400th Premiership match by Sir Bobby Robson before the FA Barclaycard Premiership match between Newcastle United and Leicester City at St. James Park on February 7, 2004 in Newcastle, England. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)
NEWCASTLE, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 7: Gary Speed of Newcastle is presented with an award for playing his 400th Premiership match by Sir Bobby Robson before the FA Barclaycard Premiership match between Newcastle United and Leicester City at St. James Park on February 7, 2004 in Newcastle, England. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
9 of 11
Next
BLACKBURN, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 11: Gary Speed of Newcastle United during the FA Barclaycard Premiership match between Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United at Ewood Park on February 11, 2004 in Blackburn, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
BLACKBURN, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 11: Gary Speed of Newcastle United during the FA Barclaycard Premiership match between Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United at Ewood Park on February 11, 2004 in Blackburn, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) /

3 – Gary Speed (1998-2004)

Circumstances can bring a player and a club together in a sudden and unexpected manner, with varying cases of success across the sport. One such case was that of Gary Speed and Newcastle United, and it was a special period of time for everyone involved.

The Welsh international joined the Magpies in 1998 from Everton, after falling out with the Toffees. Speed went on to make more than 200 appearances for the Toon.

Always a hard-working and motivated player, “Speedo” displayed fantastic versatility in the midfield. Able to fill a variety of different roles, United were able to count on his incredible fitness week after week producing on the pitch.

His impact was felt across multiple competitions as well, contributing to excellent runs in both the FA Cup and the UEFA Champions League to go along with his Premier League exploits.

With his national team, Speed gave all of himself as both a player and a manager. He tragically took his own life in November of 2011, but his kind and supportive spirit lives forever in both the North East and his home country of Wales.

A fantastic midfielder and an even better man, Gary Speed will always be remembered for the impact he made in the game and on those that met him.

Home/All-Time Lists