Gary Speed memorial bench being unveiled at Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium
Speed took his own life 14 years ago
Everton Football Club will unveil a Gary Speed Memorial Talking Bench at Hill Dickinson Stadium this Saturday (29th November), ahead of the match against Newcastle United.
The bench, located on the Budweiser Fan Plaza, will serve as a meaningful tribute to one of the Club’s most admired players and will be the first talking bench introduced by Everton.
Talking benches, which have been rolled out across the UK, aim to encourage conversation, combat loneliness, and help individuals access mental health support.
Everton’s talking bench is dedicated to Gary Speed, their former captain, and has been created with the blessing of his family. It includes a message reading:
“IN MEMORY OF GARY SPEED, EVERTONIAN, CAPTAIN, LEADER 1969–2011.
A place for what is often unspoken. A place to sit, share and listen.”
The bench also discreetly features signposting to professional mental health support services along with a QR code linking to Everton in the Community programmes, including The People’s Place. Opened in March 2023, The People’s Place is the Premier League’s first purpose-built mental health and wellbeing hub.
Trained Everton in the Community staff will be available near the bench before home fixtures as part of an initiative organised under the Premier League’s ‘Together Against Suicide’ pilot programme. Staff will be on hand to provide confidential support for anyone in need.
The idea for the talking bench came from the Everton Fans’ Forum to create a positive legacy in Gary Speed’s name. Gary’s family plan to visit the bench as part of the unveiling event.
Neville Southall, Gary’s former Everton and Wales teammate, highlighted its importance:
“You would never associate Gary with a bench because he was a fella who seemed to have everything. But in many respects, it’s very apt. If you sit there and think everybody else’s life is perfect, you can reflect on a man who was a wonderful footballer and a great manager - but still had his own problems.”
Dave Wycherley, Vice Chair of the Everton Fans Forum, expressed hope that the bench would become a lasting memorial.
“We wanted to remember Gary Speed in the most constructive way, and we hope this bench becomes a lasting legacy,” Wycherley said.
The bench will be available for supporters to visit from Saturday onwards, including on non-matchdays. It will act as a permanent space for conversation, camaraderie, and connection, reminding all Evertonians that they are never alone.