Gary Andrew Speed,(8 September 1969 – 27 November 2011) was a Welsh football player and manager. He was captain of the Wales national football team until he retired from international football in 2004 and he remains the most capped outfield player for Wales and the second overall, having appeared 85 times at senior level between 1990 and 2004.
Speed played professionally for Leeds United, Everton, Newcastle United, Bolton Wanderers and Sheffield United. Rarely troubled by injury or suspension, he held the record for the most appearances in the FA Premier League at 535, until it was surpassed by David James. Including his appearances in The Football League and cup competitions he made 840 domestic appearances, in addition to 85 full caps at international level.
Speed was appointed manager of Sheffield United in 2010, but he left the club after a few months in December 2010 to manage the Wales national football team.
Speed's death was announced by the Football Association of Wales on 27 November 2011. Throughout the day many tributes came out for him from various figures in football as well as many national figures in Wales and the rest of the United Kingdom.
