Another Welshman, and another great midfielder, it was a bid that seemed to irk Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd to his very core. With new manager Jean Tigana looking to make an audacious swoop, throwing down a gauntlet to the rest of the Premier League, he launched an ambitious raid on St. James' Park for Gary Speed.
''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?'' - Freddy Shepherd, June 2000.
Sir Bobby Robson echoed his chairman's annoyed sentiments, reaffirming that the London club were 'wasting their time if they are looking to buy Gary Speed'. It would certainly have been a surprising career move for the Welshman, considering the London club were still in the First Division, while Sir Bobby Robson in the process of assembling an exciting, young squad. However, they were bankrolled by an ambitious and money-laden Mohamed Al Fayed and were determined to splurge their way to the top.
Recent Journalism & New Media graduate. Insatiable thirst for all things football, and hopes to break into the field of sports journalism in the near future.
Have made a significantly insignificant playing career out of receiving several slaps around the head for not passing the ball.
