EVERTON will pay tribute to Gary Speed by unveiling a Memorial Bench at Hill Dickinson Stadium ahead of their clash with Newcastle.
Former Toffees and Toon star Speed committed suicide 14 years ago on Thursday aged 42 after a battle with depression.
The talking bench – designed to fight loneliness – will be located on the Budweiser Fan Place and reads: “In memory of Gary Speed, Evertonian, captain, leader 1969-2011. A place for what is often unspoken. A place to sit, share and listen.”
Speed’s former Everton team-mate Neville Southall said: “You would never associate Gary with a bench, because he was a fella who seemed to have everything.
“But in many respects it’s very apt. If you sit there and think everybody else’s life is perfect, you can reflect on a man who was a wonderful footballer and a great manager – but still had his own problems.”
Dave Wycherley, Vice Chair of the Everton Fans Forum, added: “We wanted to remember Gary Speed in the most constructive way, and we hope this bench becomes a lasting legacy.
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“Problems feel lighter when shared, and Everton has always been a club where supporters mix, talk, and escape life’s pressures for a while. Football brings out community at its best, and being outdoors helps those conversations come naturally.”
Boyhood Evertonian fan rose to captain his side under Howard Kendall before signing for Newcastle United in 1998.
Speed became the only player to reach 500 Premier League appearances in 2006, before the likes of Gareth Barry, James Milner and Ryan Giggs overtook the midfielder.
A versatile leader who had serious aerial ability despite not being the tallest player.
The talking bench will be made permanently available for supporters after Saturday’s match against Newcastle United.
How to get help
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide
It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
