FULHAM have had an audacious bid for Gary Speed rejected by Newcastle
United chairman Freddie Shepherd. 
The moneybags London outfit contacted Shepherd about the possibility
of the Welsh international moving south, after he caught the eye
of new manager Jean Tigana, but The Magpies issued a swift rejection.
Speaking of The Cottagers’ approach, Shepherd said: "It must have
been the shortest phone call on record. I never even asked how
much Fulham were prepared to pay.
"Gary Speed is one of the last players we want to leave St James'
Park. He has just had a great season - and why would he want to
leave here?"
Toon boss Bobby Robson also stated how important the 30-year-old
midfielder is for his side's Premiership challenge next term.
"Gary did a magnificent job for me last season and he is very
important player to Newcastle United," the former England coach
stated. "Fulham or anyone else will be wasting their time if they
are looking to buy Gary Speed. He's not going anywhere," Robson
added.
| Gary
Andrew Speed |
| Club: |
Newcastle United |
| Date of Birth: |
8 September 1969 |
| Birthplace: |
Mancot |
| Height: |
5'10" |
| Weight: |
12.10 |
| Club Honours: |
Division Two '90, Division One
'92; Charity Shield '92 |
| International Honours: |
Wales: 52; Under 21-3; Youth |
| Transfers: |
Leeds United (From trainee
on 13/6/88) Football and Premier League 231+17/39 League Cup
25+1/11 FA Cup 21/5 Others 14+3/2
Everton (£3,500,000 on 1/7/96) Premier League 58/15
League Cup 5/1 FA Cup 2/1
Newcastle United (£5,500,000 on 6/2/98) Premier League
47+4/5 League Cup 1+1 FA Cup 10/2 Others 2
|
The Welsh international captain, Gary is a midfielder
with pace, control, and notable heading ability. Although a regular
in the Newcastle team in 1998-99, he did not initially make the
impact anticipated when he moved to Tyneside for a large fee. However,
following David Batty's transfer to Leeds, he moved from the wide
position he was filling to a central role where he clearly felt
more at home. There, he became increasingly influential, developing
a fine partnership with Dietmar Hamann, which was a critical factor
in Newcastle's improving form as the campaign progressed. Playing
in a more disciplined way, he did much of the midfield anchoring
work, covering back when needed, but breaking forward whenever the
opportunity arose to contribute some important goals. Highlighted
were the pair which helped win the match against Derby, and his
threatening run into the penalty box which caused Sol Campbell to
handle and concede a critical penalty in the FA Cup semi-final.
Although suffering the first suspension of his career, following
an accumulation of five yellow cards during the season, he captained
United when Alan Shearer, Rob Lee, and Steve Howey were not playing.
Gary has been a virtual ever present in the Newcastle midfield this
season and has scored some vital goals. He has often come in with
some towering headers scoring some of his seven goals in this way.
Has tied up the central midfield positions with Rob Lee.