As promised we have gathered all of your e-mails and published them. We will pass these on to Gary Speed just to let him know how much he was appreciated and how thankful we all are for his services to Newcastle United. Newcastle-Online have only edited typos and punctuation - thanks to all who wrote in.

Dozo - Being a Toon fan in Australia and not being able to go to SJP is disappointing to say the least, but when my family and I had a holiday to Newcastle to visit relatives and also watch a match or two it was great. Having been born in Australia and never having seen Newcastle play before I was amazed at the atmosphere and supporters. One thing I was looking forward to seeing most, other than Alan Shearer was my other favourite player Gary Speed. Yeah, I’m 16 and most Toon fans of my age are talking about Dyer and Jenas and the high profile Toon players. But me, I realized what Speed brought to, not only this team but the club also. A great work ethic, one that young players would be wise to copy. And when Gary Speed came on to the field at half time against Arsenal, having just come back from injury,the biggest cheer in the stadium that day came from me. I admit I cried when Andy Cole left, but this, this is different. I have only just realized as I was writing this how hurtful this sale is. Gary did everything in our midfield and we will be screwed without him because even if we get Butt, its just not the same. Speed loves this club,and I agree with your article, ‘For him to only get a piece of plastic,thousand of miles away’, for his commitment to this club is a disgrace. He deserved more.The way he was shafted really makes me think, is even Alan Shearer safe from this happening to him? He may now not have the skill of some of the other members of the team but he made up with his heart. I wish you well Gary Speed, and may you return one day to Newcastle Football Club in some form, because I for one would love to have you back one day. He was probably our most under-rated player ever. All the best to Gary and thanks as well.

Sammynb - Gary, what can anyone say to thank you enough for all your efforts at NUFC. You are a gentleman, a sporting hero and a player all true Toon fans will remember as a great. Thank you for being you, I am sorry to see you go. Good luck at Bolton.

Stuart H - Good luck Gary and thank you for all you have done at Newcastle. It’s sad that you had to go so quickly but I guess that’s the life of a pro footballer and that’s what you’ve been throughout your career; a consummate pro.

Max W - Thanks Gary for all the fantastic moments you have given us. You deserve a medal for all you have done for Newcastle United. Last season you were, along with Alan Shearer and Shay Given, the best player of the season. You will not be forgotten on Tyneside and I wish you all the best at Bolton Wanderers and you will be given a fantastic reception when you return to St. James’ Park. Good Luck!

Andrew W - Cheers Gary. I echo all of the above article. You have been a fantastic servant to the club in every single way. All the best.

Graeme A - A message of thanks to Gary Speed, the strength and backbone of Newcastle for the last few years. Very good luck for the future.

Neil B - When the going gets tough. In the case of Gary Speed, who helped deliver NUFC through some difficult times, never a truer word was said. More than a good player, Gary Speed is a good man, of a type all too rare in football these days. Although NUFC must progress, we will do well to replace him. I look forward to letting him know next February.

Adrian S - Up there with the best in the 41 years I’ve been watching the lads. Thanks for all your efforts - you’ll always be welcome back at St James’s. Good luck.

Gary M - Thanks Gary…Gone but not forgotten.

Martin - Legend of a man, thanks Speedo - truly class!

Chris S - Normally I wouldn’t post on sites about things like this, but as many probably agree, Speed was one of our greatest talents over the last decade and it’s only fair for me to pay tribute to him and wish him good luck in the future. And hopefully we just might see him back here one day, who knows.

Norman M - Good luck Gary.You may not have Geordie blood in your veins but you have the heart of a Geordie wearing our colours with pride.

Ryan H - Good luck Gary, I wanted you to stay at the club forever but it wasn’t to be. I look forward to seeing you play against us next season but I don’t want you to beat us, I just want you to play well and stay injury free for your last seasons and hope you will come back to Newcastle one day as a coach. you are great player and one of my all time favorite players your presence at the club will be missed. good luck mate.

John - Dear Gary, It’s really sad to see you go after so long at the club. You are a model professional, a dedicated player, inspirational leader all rolled into one. Younger, greedy footballers will do well to look up to your example. All the best in your future endeavours!

Bill B - Top man Gary, thanks and good luck.

Kevin T - Good luck and best wishes to THE most professional player I have ever seen in my 25 years at St. James’s. You will always be appreciated by the Toon Army, and you join Sir Les as the only opposition player I will stand and applaud coming on and going off the field. Could be a bit emotional to see you both at St. James’s in opposition colours.

Tim O - Goodbye and Good luck Speedo, If we had a few more like you, we might have something in out trophy cabinet! A true professional!

John - Cheers Gaz. We’ll miss you!

Jamie P - Gary if it wasn’t for you Newcastle wouldn’t of made it into the semi finals of the Uefa cup as you scored a lovely goal past PSV’s goalkeeper. Good luck at Bolton, time moves on from Jamie P in Hebburn. Thanks for your 40 goals over your period of time at Newcastle.

Craig P - What a player, what a loss! I was made up when we signed Speedo and always knew he’d come good but he has been better than I could ever have imagined. A tireless tower of strength on the pitch and a great pro and person off it. Not only will we miss Speedo’s ability, commitment, determination etc. but also his character and presence around the club. A sad way to say farewell to a true United great, lets just hope his legacy rubs off on a few of our other so-called stars. Thanks for all you brought and gave to the club, you are a true legend and great of Newcastle United and appreciated far more than you probably know. Best wishes for the rest of your career, see you in Feb and hopefully back in black and white as a coach maybe! P.S score us a couple of own goals when you return will you! SPEEDO SPEEDO SPEEDO SPEEDO!

Csányi L - You was one of the best players at the NUFC. I’m very sorry you go out from the team. Good luck!

George B - Thanks for everything Gary you are in my opinion the best signing NUFC have ever made, truly a player’s player and a model professional, I will keep one eye out for you where ever you play and would love to see you back at SJP in some capacity, possibly manager. GOOD LUCK in all you do.

Barry J - I was in Birmingham when Speedy cracked in that 30 yarder. We were on the rack, and Speedy turned in an awesome display. Although I rate Milner, who is going to protect our under-achieving back four? He loved playing for us, and had another good year at least in his legs. sadly missed but not forgotten.

Jerry S - Class player, class man. Sorely missed good luck in the future. Best player of last year in a black and white shirt.

Finland Mag - Gary Speed thank You for the great performances! I wish you all the best!

Ray M - To Gary Speed you were a great footballer, great team player & a true gentleman. Thanks and Good Luck.

Gav - Can I just say that I agree totally with the comments and sentiments in the article. A true professional in an age when they are very rare, you’ll always be welcomed back.

Danny T - I’m born and raised in Brunei. But I have always been a Toon fan…Gary Speed will always be a hero in my books. Good luck to him and hope he finally gets a real medal he deserves.

Lee - Thanks Gary, unlike some, you put 100% in week in week out at Newcastle, and are truly one of the greatest servants this club has seen in a long time. Good luck at Bolton, and hope you find yourself in their hearts as much as you have ours.

David C - All the very best for your future at BW. I have always been a huge admirer of you relentless hard work and commitment to the cause and feel you were not given the recognition you deserved. You were a credit to the B&W shirt you wore and I for one will give you a huge standing ovation when you return to Toon next year.

Gary W - Cheers mate, you’ve been the engine room for us that all teams need. A credit to yourself and your trade, thanks for the memories.

Alex - I’m a bit confused about the whole sale really. Gary can still do a job for the Toon and I am sure he feels the same way. Who will Bobby put in his role to replace him, answers on the back of a postcard please…because I really don’t know who can! He was the only player with determination in the midfield last season. Good Luck Gary, hope you prove Bobby and Fat Freddy wrong!

Carl G - While I understand there is some commercial sense in letting Speed go (IF we get Nicky Butt!) I am disappointed to see him leave. He’s been a fantastic servant to Newcastle & while some of our more “talented” high profile youngsters have attracted the wrong sort of headlines, Gary Speed has always shunned the limelight & concentrated on putting in consistent hard working performances. After a shaky start back in ‘98 he’s definitely been one of our best over the last 6 years & I wish him well at Bolton. Good luck Gary & thanks for the service!

Beastie - Speedo has gone but anyone who says he never gave 100% in a black & white shirt is wrong, he took over the midfield from Bobby Lee and David Batty and has been a great signing for the club! Dalglish’s best signing along with Shay Given! Good luck Speedo!

Dave M - As usual we seem to place no value on loyalty. Solano last year was bad enough, but to pull the rug from under the feet of a model-pro like Gary Speed is, to me, symptomatic of all that is wrong with the running of NUFC. A sad day, good luck Gary, you deserve better.

Michael - I think the bloke is a legend and I’m gutted to see him go but it was going to happen sooner or later so I wish him good luck for the future as we all know time changes.

Bryan M - Today is a sad day for NUFC. Today we lose an absolute class act. Gary Speed is everything you want in a player: attitude, desire, commitment, never say die and he will be missed. Best of luck Gary, you’ll deserve your ovation when you come back to SJP.

Norman M - Thanks for the service Gary. If the rest of the so-called stars put as much effort into the games as you, Big Al and Shay the cupboard would have been full of trophies. However a good bit of business £750k. I doubt we would get that for Viana and Bramble. I hope Gary’s replacement serves as long and as well. Good luck, Sam’s got a good un’.

Wal M - Great service, started slow, but become great team player. Past his best I think but we don’t need Butt, give Bowyer chance to fill his place. Butt is also past his best. Good luck Speed.

Raja P - Bolton has acquired a very fine player and he will do well for them. I wish him all the luck, happiness and contentment in the world and wish him all the best for his future

Raja P (again) - Well, as soon as there were reports linking us with Butt, I realised Speedo will be leaving soon. But seriously I can’t seem to find enough words to describe Gary Speed. Since 1998, he has been a fantastic player and a servant for our club. Over the past few seasons, he had been a one man army in our midfield alot of times. Always gave us 110% no matter what. A fantastic influence for our younger lads. I really wish to thank Speedo, on the behalf of all Toon fans, very very much. We’ve been really proud to have you as a player. You have been easily one of the BEST players ever to don the black and white colours. I would like to wish you all the best for your future and hopefully you will continue to top the appearances chart. God bless. Love ya Gary Speed and thanks for everything. GARY SPEED WILL ALWAYS BE A GEORDIE HERO!

Stephen - Selling Gary Speed is a big mistake! He was the one who always kept the midfield in tact and he was a leader.

Paul J - Speedo has been brilliant for Newcastle Utd. Its very rare these days to find a loyal player who is totally professional and a credit to the club, and that is exactly what Gary Speed is. I’m very sad to see him leave. I’d like to wish him good luck at Bolton (except against NUFC) and he’ll get a fantastic reception when he returns in Feb.

Andy S - Disappointed with the treatment given to Speed, seven years loyal service, never bottled a tackle, never went missing when things weren’t going his way unlike others in the midfield. He was worth another season and then his experience should have been put to use with the youth team or the reserves. Seems He’s being edged out without any say, not a way to treat a bloke with the record for Premiership appearances.

Ray M - While £500k is a good price for a 34 year old, Speed has been our best midfielder for the last 4 seasons. I believe we should have offered him a player coaching role.

David S - Gary Speed has been a magnificent servant of Newcastle United. An exemplary professional both on and off the field. He has got better in his time at Newcastle and I for one am thankful that he never let the side down when many around him gave up! I am disappointed that he is leaving as people like Gary Speed are few and far between and we need people like him at our football club!

Kent - I’ll definitely miss Speed, who always gave his best in every match he played including the friendly match in HK. There, thanks to his great effort, Newcastle regained possession in the midfield in the second half and subsequently equalised. I fail to understand why he has to go to pave the way for Butt. I am not sure that Butt is a better player. It is true he has reached retirement age but given his excellent service and loyalty, he should be given a chance to play his last game before retirement in Newcastle. Now here comes a big step down. Sad.

Craig H - Good luck to Speed, £500,000 is good business if we replace him with a better player. Butt is useless though and no better than Speed.

Matta - Speed is a legend in black & white! Speed is one of the best newcastle players ever, and I personally would like to see you finish your career at this club. You have been awesome, absolutely great and I know we will miss you on and off the pitch the next season.

Macca - Speed has always given 100%, and unlike some others, would never hide in a game no matter how god or bad he was playing. Some of our younger ’stars’ have hopefully learned that from him. At 34 has seen fitter days, but I for one will miss him. Thanks Speedo and good luck.

Marguerite H - Whilst I have voted that it is good business (my head tells me £500K for him is more than fair), I am extremely disappointed the powers that be at SJP have gone down this route. It was obvious when young Milner was purchased, that something had to give with our overloaded midfield situation and the continuing rumours linking us with Butt. This is the part that is really upsetting me, that we are prepared to get rid of Speedy to make room for Butt. Please could someone tell me which player having been cast off by Manu does anything at any other club, I personally cannot think of one. I have never been impressed with him, and thought him grossly overrated when he was at his ‘best’ so why do we want him? What about putting more endeavours / funds into a right and left back - by far the most pressing need to strengthen in my opinion. I am strung out to the nines already and the season hasn’t started, but I suppose that is par for the course when supporting Newcastle.

Graeme D - First of all a big thanks to Gary Speed for all his efforts in a black and white shirt over the years - top pro. However whilst I am sad to see one of our most committed players leave if we are replacing him with Nicky Butt I think its a good bit of business. Would have liked to see Speedo as a coach at NUFC. Good luck Speedo and thanks again.

Ed H - With presumably Nicky Butt coming to Newcastle it’s time for Gary Speed to move on. He’s been a wonderful servant to the club and will get a heck of a welcome when he returns to Newcastle. Gary is a real gentlemen and we wish him all the very best at Bolton - or wherever he ends up.

Dan O - He could definitely still do a job for us he was twice as good as Jenas and Dyer last season. But thanks alot for the effort and commitment you have given the club over the years!!

Paul S - What a shame to see Speed leave, he’s been a class player for us and I wish him all the luck in the world. Sad day for the Toon. Good luck Speedo and thanks for the memories.

Donna L - Nooooo! Speed was one of my fave players. How can we get rid when he still has so much to offer. He will be missed. Good luck Speed - ta for the service.

Chris M - How can the club sanction this deal? First we don’t even have a replacement and second Speed is twice the player that Dire and Co. are, we need his leadership badly but we go and sell it. Good luck Speed, you WILL be missed more than you probably know.

Kairen - Selling Speedo is bad business and totally stupid of the club. He was our best player last year and can still do the work in midfield. Good luck Gary at Bolton, don’t forget us. We wont forget you. :(

Arron P - Sad to hear that Speed will no longer pull on a Toon top for NUFC. He played with his heart and head and was one of our best ever players. Legend. Good luck at BW Speedo.

Stevie B - How can Bobby sell Speedo? Who else is going to hold things together? Bad bad bad move from Bobby, we must need the money. Speed is priceless. Great signing for Bolton. We’ll miss ya Speedo.

Paully - To get 500K for Speed is good business IMO but I’m sad to see such a loyal and committed player leave who can still do a job, maybe not in every game but his presence was invaluable. Good luck and thanks for the effort.

Sparks - There is no reason why Speed couldn’t return to take a coaching role at the club in the future, as for selling him it’s not a surprise and it obviously means that the Butt deal is no more than a few days away from being completed. Cheers to Gary for being a model pro while he has been at the club and for delivering some fine performances in the past 3 seasons. I can’t honestly see Butt doing a better job than Speed would have done next season, but there you go.

Tim - This sale may represent good business but we have lost far more than a great player. Although not always appreciated, he was a rock for our team and I believe well respected by the players. He was a player that every type of team needs. His experience and heart for the club cannot be replaced. Speedo you did a bloody great job mate. Cheers and good luck at Bolton.

Shak - I’m sad to see him go, he has been a great servant for the club and will get a fantastic reception when he returns. Cheers Gary, you’ll be remembered.

Mighty Cobbie - Personally I think that it is the best for both parties gary has been a great servant to the club and I wish him all the best.

Keefa - Sad to see him go, but it was inevitable, really. I’m sure he’ll do a terrific job at Bolton. Although I think Butt could be a decent signing, I would’ve preferred a more outspoken character with real leadership qualities, as that’s what we need on the pitch. Perhaps Bowyer will take over Speedo’s job of shouting?

Billy t Fish - Thanks for the memories and thanks for your professionalism and effort to Speed.

Marko1892 - Poor from NUFC. I can’t see the point in letting him go we might as well have kept him on and gave him a coaching role at St. James’s.

Cla1dwa - Ask yourself this. Gary Speed, or half a million pounds? Its no question at all. The money will go straight into salaries, and we don’t have a holding midfielder. Regardless of age he was our best midfielder at the club last year. If alan shearer was doing what he did last year week in week out and he was 43 I’d still play him, and why not. Bolton are a club on the up let us not forget. Older than us maybe, but lets not forget just how awe-inspiringly bad some of our players were last year. Speed did, and indeed could have done, so much more for the team than Kieron Dyer. Selling Solano was a mistake, and we looked threadbare without Speed last year. This could be a huge mistake.

Mold2210 - I’m sorry to see Speed go, he’s been a great servant to the club and a good professional. I do believe it’s right for the Mags and Speedo. He wants to play first team football and I don’t think he’d get much of a sniff of CM next season

ToonIdle - What can we say about Gary Speed…model professional who played 100% for Newcastle game in game out, a rock in the centre of our midfield and one of our best and most consistent players we have ever had! I am really sad to see him go and unless we get Butt in I think we’ll be buggered! We should have kept him in for this season at least and let him do the job that he does every season. Then we could have got him in as a coach and let him teach that model professionalism to all the youngsters. since we’ve let him go I reckon 750,000 is a good price for a 34 year old with one decent playing year left under his belt. I didn’t think we should have let him go but since we have we better get Butt in to do the important job that Speedo DID!

Rob - It’s always sad to see such a legend leave but we have to move on. Thanks Gary, you have wrote yourself in our hall of fame as a true Black & white great. I’ve never seen a more committed, team player than you in my 37 years following the Toon. You deserved to leave with medals galore, you deserved to bow out in front of 52,000 people who you have gave great service to for 7 years as a model pro but Newcastle aren’t the best in the PR department but rest assured you will get one hell of a reception on your return. Thanks and all the best.