RIP GA!

RIP GARY SPEED! CLASS ACT!!!

One season only but he totally galvanised the side. It was my first year as a season ticket holder and he was my hero! A clinical finisher that had a field day in that division.

His hat trick against Newcastle as their Messiah mk1 returned is still one of my favourite Ewood memories, jumping on the Darwen End fence and giving some to the deluded ones.

Another hat trick at Plymouth to get us in to the play offs, his goals against Derby in the semi to get us a 4-2 win after being two down, 'buying' that penalty at Wembley- great days with more to come.

That was the sason when I had my first season ticket too! Sat in The Riverside near Jack Straw and his family. He scored loads that season,must have been 25 goals plus? He would of had more if it had not been for injuries and suspensions. I fondly remember that toon hat trick and flicking the geordies the finger. Wasn't the match delayed because of some numpty geordie climbing on the Darwen End roof,or was that the season after in the cup(see Roy Wegerle dribbling master class)?

His herorics against Plymouth were class,and I remember him booting some Derby fan up the botty when there was a pitch invasion after the game.

SPEEDIE SPEEDIE SPEEDIE!!