A new bench which aims to 'encourage conversation, tackle loneliness and isolation, and signpost people to mental health support' to be installed in memory of Everton's Gary Speed
Football legend Gary Speed who has new 'talking bench' installed in his memory
Football legend Gary Speed who has new 'talking bench' installed in his memory
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A special new ‘talking bench’ in memory of football legend Gary Speed is to be unveiled outside Everton’s new stadium.
Speed’s former teammate and great friend Everton icon Neville Southall has warmly welcomed its installation. Similiar benches have been placed in parks and public spaces up and down the whole country. They are a simple but powerful way to encourage conversation, tackle loneliness and isolation, and signpost people to mental health support.
Wales international Speed, who also played for Leeds United, Newcastle United, Sheffield United and Bolton Wanderers in a long career, died 14 years ago this week
Gary Speed while playing for Everton
Gary Speed while playing for his beloved Everton back in 1997
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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.” Everton’s bench, dedicated in honour of Speed and with the full blessing of his family, bears the message:
Neville Southall (centre) and Andy Gray (left) after the Premier League match at Goodison Park,
Neville Southall and Andy Gray after the last Premier League match at Goodison Park,
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“IN MEMORY OF GARY SPEED, EVERTONIAN, CAPTAIN, LEADER 1969–2011. A place for what is often unspoken. A place to sit, share and listen.” 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.
“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.”
Football legend Gary Speed who has new 'talking bench' installed in his memory
Football legend Gary Speed who has new 'talking bench' installed in his memory
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The bench will be located outside the Hill Dickinson Stadium on the Budweiser Fan Plaza. It offers discreet signposting to professional mental health support services and crisis resources.
A QR code provides direct access to the mental health programmes delivered by Everton in the Community, including The People’s Place - the first purpose-built mental health and wellbeing hub created by a Premier League club when it opened in March 2023.
Legend on the Bench ambassador former Chelsea and Spurs player Micky Hazard with Christine Flack, the mother of Caroline Flack, at the unveiling a suicide prevention bench in memory of Caroline
Legend on the Bench ambassador former Chelsea and Spurs player Micky Hazard with Christine Flack, the mother of Caroline Flack, at the unveiling a suicide prevention bench in memory of Caroline
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Former Chelsea and Spurs star Micky Hazard runs the suicide prevention charity 'Legend on the Bench'. Hazard lost his own nephew, Jay, to suicide and hopes one day to put a bench in spaces all over the country.
Each comes with a QR code linked to the story of the person's life and the engraved message "someone's always listening". The charity pledges: "Every bench displays quick access to information at any time of the day or night for anyone experiencing mental health issues. Our mission is to install suicide benches in every local park or open space in the UK."