Everton opens first talking bench in tribute to Gary Speed
Everton have unveiled their first talking bench at Hill Dickinson Stadium, a permanent tribute to Gary Speed, one of the club’s most admired former players.
Gary’s mother Carol attended the launch along with former teammate and Everton ambassador Graham Stuart, David Wycherley of the Everton Fans’ Forum who proposed the idea, and Michael McCarthy from Newcastle’s Fan Advisory Board.
Supporters visited the bench for the first time on Saturday despite wet weather.
Mancot born Gary played for Aston Park Rangers, represented the Flintshire primary schools’ side and attended Deeside High and Hawarden High Schools.
He became one of Wales’ most capped outfield players, as well as captain and manager of the national side.
Talking benches are being introduced across the UK to encourage conversation, tackle loneliness and signpost people to mental health support.
They offer a space where people can pause, speak openly or sit alongside others without judgment.
Everton’s bench has been dedicated to Speed with the full support of his family. It bears the message: “IN MEMORY OF GARY SPEED, EVERTONIAN, CAPTAIN, LEADER 1969–2011. A place for what is often unspoken. A place to sit, share and listen.”
David Wycherley said the idea came from a wish to honour Gary’s story.
He said: “We wanted to create a bench in Gary’s memory. Because his story teaches us a lesson that we can’t ignore. He was the strongest of us, a former captain of many of the teams that he played for.”
“As we know, football does bring people together. It starts the chat, but often it’s the most important words that go unspoken.”
“So our hope is that the bench will be a marker for people and a reminder of Gary’s story and what a great man he was. Hopefully it will remind people to slow down, to check in with each other and to talk and just ask that extra question about how people are getting on in life. But also to listen as well. Sometimes it’s just as important to be that listening ear for the people around you.”
[Gary Speed passed away in November 2011 at the age of 42, a loss that deeply shocked the football world.]
Graham Stuart said the bench could help supporters share experiences. He said: “Gary’s bench is a great opportunity for people to sit down and talk and to discuss things. Even if it’s just a general conversation, because all of a sudden you realise that you share the same issues and problems and thought processes.”
“That’s the whole idea of the bench and credit to the Fans’ Forum. There will be trained mental health staff available at the bench and every matchday moving forward they will be around as a support system so that if anybody does feel the need to speak, or learn about the support available, they can.”
The bench was opened before the match against Newcastle United, another of Gary’s former clubs.
It includes information signposting visitors to mental health support services and crisis resources.
As part of the Premier League’s Together Against Suicide pilot scheme, trained Everton in the Community staff will be based around the bench before every home fixture for supporters who wish to talk or seek support.
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