Gary Speed was a celebrated Welsh footballer and manager. He is best known for his spell as an attacking midfielder between 1988 and 1996 at Leeds United, where he won the English Football League First Division Championship, and between 1998 and 2004 at Newcastle.
He held the record for the most appearances in the Premier League at 535, until it was surpassed by David James.
Speed, who was born on this day in 1969, captained the Wales national team until his retirement in 2004. He remains the most capped outfield player for Wales and second overall, having appeared 85 times at the senior level.
Following his playing days, Speed was appointed manager of Sheffield United in 2010, but left the club after a few months to manage the Wales national team, remaining in this role until his tragic death 11 months later.
1972: Markus Babbel, former Liverpool defender and Germany international (43).
1984: Vitaly Petrov, Russian former Caterham and Renault Formula One driver (31).
1986: Joao Moutinho (below), Portugal and Monaco midfielder who can also play in an attacking role (29).
1987: Alexandre Bilodeau, retired Canadian freestyle skier and Winter Olympics gold medallist (28).
