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Gary Speed's generous act shows exactly the kind of man former Wales manager was
Gary Speed's generous act shows exactly the kind of man former Wales manager was
The late Gary Speed carved out a career that demanded respect on and off the pitch, and one of the former Wales manager's players has shared an epitomising anecdote
Ex-Sheffield United player Jamie Ward has opened up about playing under Gary Speed
(Image: Under The Cosh )
Former Sheffield United forward Jamie Ward has shed light on what a commendable man the late former Wales manager and Premier League icon Gary Speed was.
The footballing world was rocked in November 2011 when it was announced that former Newcastle United and Leeds United midfielder Speed had taken his own life at the age of 42.
Speed had built a reputation as a caring and naturally talented midfielder on the pitch, and carried such traits over to management after hanging up his boots and taking over as head coach at his former club, Sheffield United, in 2010.
Ward, who had only joined the Blades the year prior, was asked about playing under Speed, who would go on to take the Wales job in 2011. The 39-year-old shared a tidbit that embodied Speed, admitting that the manager offered to pay him an assist bonus out of his own pocket, as one was not present in Ward's contract.
"He was a leader," Ward began, speaking on the Under The Cosh podcast. "But, when I joined the club, Speedo didn't play. He was still a player, but he was injured. He'd kind of transitioned onto the coaching staff.
"So, at that point, we knew at some point he was going to be the first team manager. He was a natural leader, wasn't he? From all the clubs that he had captained, to being in the changing room.
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"Actually, when he became the manager, he turned around to me, because I didn't have an assist bonus, and he said to me: 'I see you don't have an assist bonus. So, every time you set a goal up, I'm gonna give you £250 of my own money.'
"That kind of tells you what kind of guy he was. Next game, we played Derby away. Put two on a plate for Ched Evans, misses them both.
Speed was loved by many of the players he managed
(Image: Getty Images )
"I was having a baby at the time, and I was thinking, 'That'd get me a f*****g pushchair if he scored them!' £500. I didn't take any of his money.
"I didn't set any goals up! But going back to that, it shows you what kind of guy he was, to take it out of your own pocket and give it to someone else."
Ward continued, recollecting some confusion around what he would call Speed when he arrived at Bramall Lane, in light of the late star having built up such distinction throughout his years in the Premier League.
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"When I turned up, that was the one man that I looked at, and was like, 'Wow.' So starstruck," Ward added. "Because growing up, I'd seen all his career.
"I didn't know what to call him. I said to him, 'What do I call you?' I actually turned around to him and said that. 'Is it Gary, Speedo, Speedy?'
"I think he said, 'Just call me Speedo.' Because I didn't know, and I just wanted to make sure I was getting it right. When he got the manager's job, I asked him again!"
