Everton FC to unveil Gary Speed Memorial Bench at Hill Dickinson Stadium tomorrow

Everton Football Club will unveil a Gary Speed Memorial Bench at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday – a lasting tribute to one of the Club’s most admired former players, and significantly, the Club’s first-ever talking bench.

Talking benches have been introduced across the UK as a simple but powerful way to encourage conversation, tackle loneliness and isolation, and signpost people to mental health support. They offer a space where individuals can pause, speak openly, or simply sit alongside others without judgment.

The announcement comes on an especially poignant day for the Everton Family, as today marks the anniversary of Gary’s passing, 14 years ago.

Everton’s bench, dedicated in honour of Gary Speed and with the full blessing of his family, 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.”

Located centrally on the Budweiser Fan Plaza, the bench includes discreet signposting to professional mental health support services and crisis resources. A QR code provides direct access to the mental health programmes delivered by Everton in the Community, including The People’s Place – the first purpose-built mental health and wellbeing hub created by a Premier League club when it opened in March 2023.

As part of the Club’s commitment to the Premier League’s ‘Together Against Suicide’ pilot, trained Everton in the Community staff will be based in the area around the bench before every home fixture. Supporters who wish to talk, seek support, or learn more about the services available will be able to approach staff confidentially and without appointment.

The installation of a talking bench was proposed by the Everton Fans’ Forum, who wanted to create a meaningful and positive legacy in Gary’s name. Its unveiling comes ahead of Saturday’s fixture against Newcastle United – the closest home game to the 14th anniversary of Gary’s tragic passing, and a match between two clubs he represented with distinction.

Gary’s family will visit the bench ahead of the game as part of the unveiling.

Neville Southall, an Everton Giant and Gary’s former team-mate for club and country, said:

“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, added:

“We wanted to remember Gary Speed in the most constructive way, and we hope this bench becomes a lasting legacy. Problems feel lighter when shared, and Everton has always been a club where supporters mix, talk, and escape life’s pressures for a while. Football brings out community at its best, and being outdoors helps those conversations come naturally.”

The Gary Speed Memorial Talking Bench will be available for supporters to visit from Saturday’s matchday onwards (including non-matchdays), providing a permanent space for reflection, conversation and connection – and a reminder that no Evertonian ever has to struggle alone.

Visit the Hill Dickinson Stadium website here.

Find out the latest in Liverpool here.

Find out what’s good up North on our new platform, The Northern Guide. 

From the best hotels, beauty spots, days out, food and more up North – visit thenorthernguide.com and follow The Northern Guide on Instagram HERE.