A childhood Everton fan, Speed was signed by Joe Royle before the 1996â97 season, for a fee of £3.5 million. He made his debut on 17 August 1996, scoring against Newcastle. In November of that year, Speed scored a hat-trick â the only one of his career â as Everton beat Southampton 7â1 at Goodison Park. Speed finished the season with 11 goals, joint top-scorer with Duncan Ferguson. Speed was also voted Everton Player of Year for his performances during his first season at the club. Howard Kendall succeeded Royle as manager at the start of the 1997â98 season, and nominated Speed as club captain. However, by the turn of the year the relationship between Speed and Kendall had soured. Speed played his last game for the club on 18 January 1998, scoring in a 3â1 win over Chelsea. He did not travel for their next game, away to West Ham, and was subsequently sold to Newcastle for £5.5 million. The reasons underlying Speed's departure were never revealed. He told the Liverpool Echo: "You know why Iâm leaving, but I canât explain myself publicly because it would damage the good name of Everton Football Club and Iâm not prepared to do that." RIP Gary Speed , an English football legend.
