Former Sheffield United striker Jamie Ward has reflected on playing for the late Gary Speed, sharing a poignant story that encapsulated the cherished former Newcastle United star
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Jamie Ward speaks on a podcast
Jamie Ward shed light on playing for late Newcastle United icon Gary Speed
(Image: Undr The Cosh)
Former Sheffield United forward Jamie Ward has opened up about what a commendable man the late former Newcastle United star and Premier League icon Gary Speed was.
The football world was left in shock in November 2011 when it was announced that Speed, who arrived at St James' Park in 1998 and left six years later with nearly 300 appearances to his name, had tragically taken his own life at the age of 42.
Speed was known not only for his natural talent on the pitch but also for his caring nature, traits he carried into his managerial career after retiring from playing. He took over as head coach at his former club, Sheffield United, in 2010.
Ward, who had joined the Blades just a year earlier, spoke about his experience of playing under Speed, who later became Wales manager in 2011. The 39-year-old revealed a touching anecdote that encapsulated Speed's character, sharing that the manager had offered to pay him an assist bonus from his own pocket, as there wasn't one included in Ward's contract.
"He was a leader," Ward began, speaking on the Undr 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.
"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.
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)
Speed played for Newcastle from 1998 until 2004(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 went on to share some confusion about what to call Speed when he first arrived at Bramall Lane, given the late star's esteemed reputation from his Premier League career, reports Wales Online.
"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!"