FOOTBALL has been overshadowed this week by the shocking news of Gary Speed’s death.

Former colleagues and team-mates have been unanimous in describing Speed as a gentleman and a great friend.

What has maybe been a little overlooked is what the fans saw of Gary Speed – he was a brilliantly gifted footballer who was among the best of his generation playing in the Premier League.

He had a natural football ability and style, resembling a latter-day Colin Harvey.

His emergence into the Leeds United side – that would quickly go on to become League Champions – was quickly followed by declarations from in-the-know Blues that the youngster was a boyhood Evertonian.

Inevitably the Goodison faithful coveted a transfer move for Speed from that moment, but with Everton sinking as Leeds’ star was rising that prospect looked bleak.

But thanks to Joe Royle’s renaissance job at Goodison the Blues were able to celebrate the signature of one of our own in 1996.

His move back home illustrated Everton’s return to the forefront of English football. A league champion already, Speed was widely regarded as Leeds’ best player by this time – and they were still a decent outfit back then.

At the time there was no better British midfielder in the country, and though he only spent two years at the club, he left enough memories to highlight why he was so highly regarded.