David Speedie joined Second Division Blackburn Rovers in the summer of 1991 from Liverpool. With Jack Walker at the helm, the club's ambition and aim was clear: get promoted to the top flight.

Speedie was to play his part in a memorable season for the club. A season which would set the groundwork for the golden era to come in the club's future.

David Speedie only spent one year as a Blackburn Rovers player, that being the 1991/92 season, but his contribution was such that he will forever be remembered as the man whose goals fired Blackburn Rovers into the newly formed Premier League.

Speedie scored 25 League goals in his solitary season as a Rovers player, including memorable hat-tricks against Newcastle and Plymouth. The latter coming in a 3-1 away win which sealed Rovers' place in the 1992 Second Division Play Offs.

He was to play a major role in the Play Off Semi Final first leg against Derby County at Ewood Park, scoring twice to give Rovers a 4-2 lead. Speedie capped off his short Rovers career in fine style in the Play Off Final against Leicester City. Speedie did not score the winning goal, however, it was his mazy run which drew a foul in the penalty area, giving Rovers a spot kick. It was duly put away by Mike Newell and that proved to be the winning goal. Blackburn Rovers had done it. Promoted to the top flight after a 26 year absence.

Sadly, David Speedie did not get the opportunity to turn out for Rovers in the Premier League, as he left the club in the summer of 1992 to join Southampton. Rovers fans were gutted at his departure, but little did they know that the striker they had signed from Southampton, to replace Speedie, was to be one of the world's best.

David Speedie won't ever be forgotten by the Rovers fans who witnessed the brilliant season that he had in the 1991/92 campaign. One season it might have been, but David Speedie is a Rovers legend thanks to what he did for the club.

Making 43 appearances and scoring 26 goals.

Here are all 26 of David Speedie's goals for Blackburn Rovers.

свернуть