Kevin Blackwell was Sheffield United manager at the start of the 2010/11 season when his Blades side made the trip to South Wales on opening day.
Blackwell, who would go on to become Cardiff City’s Assistant Manager under Neil Warnock in 2016, had previously managed Leeds United and Luton Town, before returning to Bramall Lane where he had coached earlier in his career to replace the prior managerial incumbent, Bryan Robson.
City and United drew 1-1 in the August sunshine, with Jay Bothroyd equalising just after the hour mark for City after Welsh international, Ched Evans, had given the visitors a 24th minute lead. A young Danny Drinkwater, on loan from Manchester United, made his competitive debut for the Bluebirds, whilst Dave Jones pointedly named only four substitutes on his bench with playing personnel numbers stretched.
An away point in the Welsh capital would surely have satisfied Blackwell. But a surprise defeat in the League Cup to Hartlepool United, followed by a 3-0 home humbling by Queens Park Rangers signalled the end of his time in the Blades hotseat and he was removed with short shrift.
The man to replace him had been alongside him in the dugout at Cardiff City Stadium for that opening day draw: Gary Speed.
Considering what was to follow with his time at Wales, it is somewhat fitting that the late Welsh captain and manager had that observer seat next to Blackwell at Cardiff City Stadium prior to taking the Bramall Lane post nine days later. Speedo had retired from playing having made his fortieth appearance for the Blades against Wolves in November 2008. He remained with the club in a coaching capacity before eventually getting the top job just short of two years later.
Gary remained as United manager for only four months, prior to replacing John Toshack as Wales manager in December 2010.
His brief managerial record with United had been inconsistent, but having led his club and national sides with such character during a distinguished playing career, Speed’s leadership qualities as a manager were already apparent. The Football Association of Wales asked Speed to continue and build-upon the groundwork laid in by Toshack and lead a talented squad of young players towards better days.
It goes without saying that he did just that and then some.
Wales blossomed under his stewardship with the likes of Gareth Bale, Joe Allen and Aaron Ramsey taking centre stage. Speed named Ramsey as the side’s permanent captain in March 2011, the Arsenal midfielder becoming the national side’s youngest ever skipper at the age of 20 years and 90 days.
Tragically, Gary passed away in November 2011 aged just 42 years old. But his vision for Wales and the standards he had set evolved through the work of his successor, Chris Coleman who led Wales to the European Championships in 2016: their first major competition since 1958.
A much-loved Welshman whose legacy will positively impact generations of young Welsh footballers, Gary’s managerial touch was initiated and honed south of the River Don, at Bramall Lane.