David Speedie

colin - You want a tale of goal-scoring? You want a tale of full-on blue and white? Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you the story of David Speedie. It's a short story and lasts for just one season, not much to qualify as a "great" David Speedie joined us from Liverpool in August 1991. He was signed by Don McKay who was soon to lose his managerial post to Kenny Dalglish as the Uncle Jack era took over. He had previously played at (in no particular order) Barnsley, Doncaster, Darlington, Chelsea, Coventry City, Liverpool, Leicester City, West Bromwich Albion, West Ham United, Birmingham City, Accrington Stanley, Greendale Argyle, Weatherfield United, & Trumpton Psychopaths and had made a name for himself as a bad -tempered & petulant little sod. Like this: http://www.premierleague.com/fapl.rac?command=forwardOnly&nextPage=whereAreTheyNow&initial=S&playerID=699103 Then he arrived at Ewood where he became our bad -tempered & petulant little sod. He played for us for just one season. 43 games in all, 26 goals. Then he moved to Southampton in part-exchange for some bloke called Shearer. Re-wind...........26 goals in 43 games? Indeed, that is very close to two goals for every three games. As well as his aggression he has a great sense of positioning and movement, he seemed to be able to sense where the ball would be in a second's time and be there to meet it. For a relatively small player he won a remarkable number of headers. I was thinking of commenting on one or two examples of games where Speedie's contribution turned the game on its head. The last day of the season hat-trick against Plymouth to get us into the play-offs. His brace in the play-off semis against Derby, and his *ahem* winning the penalty in the final itself. However these fade into insignificance against one game where he gave one of the greatest performances I have witnessed by a Rovers' striker. 15th February 1992, at home against the then struggling Newcastle who had just taken on Kevin Keegan as manager. Naturally the Geordies came down in their masses and filled the Darwen End. We filled the rest of Ewood. Newcastle took an early lead before Speedie smashed home his first, just before half time, in front of the Blackburn End. His second was the most spectacular flying header I have ever witnessed and to rub salt in the Geordie wounds he went and celebrated in front of them. The third was an equally spectacular volley and again he went over to the visitors and punched the air. These days he'd probably be on a three match suspension for that, but on the day he created one of the best atmospheres I've witnessed at Ewood. So, there you are, my shout for Speedie. Not that it'll do much good because we all know which pair have got this one sew up like a kipper.

jim mk2 - Would reiterate a previous message about David Speedie; without him we would not have achieved promotion in 1991-92. Watch the video of the season - he was truly phenomenal.

BigDom - I am going to pick Speedie as my second choice.....he was amazing for us back in 1991/1992 and his Play-Off performances v Derby and Leicester will be ones I will never forget.

Simon Garners 194 - What an impact this fella had on the Ewood park crowd in such a short space of time, possessed with a 'never give in mentality', like a little terrier he played with a passion and pride that warmed him instantly to the Blackburn public. Such was the depth of feeling on his departure to Southampton that a home made banner was erected on the gates of the Blackburn end that read with great affection........ 'PLEASE UNCLE JACK, BRING DAVID SPEEDIE BACK!'

Ianrally - Mention must be made of David Speedie. As has already been mentioned, his efforts in our promotion season will live long in my memory, especially his goals against Derby County in the play off semi-final at Ewood when I for one thought all was lost. Prior to that semi, I remember travelling the three million miles to Plymouth when we had to beat Argyle in the last match of the season to secure 6th. place and reach the play offs after leading the table comfortably in December. Things went downhill from then on and I felt a little uneasy to say the least about our chances at Plymouth who were themselves fighting for their lives to avoid the drop. Enter our talisman Speedie who not just won the game but emphasised his sheer determination and guts and bagged a hat trick. What a player, he made the long trip home that Saturday night fell a quarter of the distance of the journey down. I was absolutely gutted when we sold him to Southampton as part of the Shearer deal. What a pairing those two would have made. .

drummer boy - legend in such a short time - the reason? He gave 100% all the time, he fought for every ball and square inch of turf, he wore his heart on his sleeve, he hated to lose with a passion rarely seen - he had all the characteristics of the true fan which was why we all took him to our hearts. Oh, I nearly forgot, he was a bloody good footballer with a knack of being in the right place at the right time. When the going got tough and we started to falter that season, who galvanised the team? Who rose to the challenge? Who got out there and refused to give in, making it happen? DAVID SPEEDIE, THAT'S WHO!!!

Huge Chin -David Speedie was a sensation in the 1991/2 season and for that he gets my vote. Plus I think he got a final day hat trick against Plymouth Argyle that fired us into the play-offs

speeeeeeedie - Speedie because without him we'd never have gone up and was a cracking player.