michael speechley??

[roboshark]

My favourite ever Shark

 

[coolumsharkie]

Sorry bit over the top. Life's tough.

 

[Dragon Slayer]

FMD that is so sad about Speechley.

The game of life can be very cruel.

But really great to hear that the Sharks old boys are a very close bunch of guys that genuinely care about one another.

 

[2012....Sharks Year]

Yeah that's a long time for no-one to have seen or heard from the Speech. Hoping for a good outcome.

 

[shadowboxer]

My favourite ever Shark

Yeah he was an absolute favourite of mine. His tenacity and utter reckless ability to tackle and not give a hoot for himself.
I may have shared this previously, but I had dealings with his mother about 20 years ago. Met at their place in Earlwood, I only knew it was her as there was a huge picture of the Speech up on the wall in the lounge room.
When I saw it and looked down to see the surname, my shocked surprise made her day. Nice old lady, who has probally passed now.
Aside from her talking proudly about his playing career, she couldn’t help but have complete venom for Terry Lamb - the incident probally ruined him really.
Her thoughts is probally the reason I can’t stand him.
Hope the man is alright

 

[PJ]

Yeah he was an absolute favourite of mine. His tenacity and utter reckless ability to tackle and not give a hoot for himself.
I may have shared this previously, but I had dealings with his mother about 20 years ago. Met at their place in Earlwood, I only knew it was her as there was a huge picture of the Speech up on the wall in the lounge room.
When I saw it and looked down to see the surname, my shocked surprise made her day. Nice old lady, who has probally passed now.
Aside from her talking proudly about his playing career, she couldn’t help but have complete venom for Terry Lamb - the incident probally ruined him really.
Her thoughts is probally the reason I can’t stand him.
Hope the man is alright

Everyone remembers and talks about his defence, but he was pretty dam good with attack as well

 

[tom of poland]

Everyone remembers and talks about his defence, but he was pretty dam good with attack as well

I remember some of his perfectly timed passes.

 

[Tucky]

Article (behind a paywall) saying he has been found at Ramsgate

 

[bad boy bubby]

Alan Wilson bumped into Speech at Ramsgate RSL on Thursday morning. Apparently Speechley goes there in the morning and leaves by lunch.
Funnily enough I was there on Thursday morning, but I was there from Midnight to 3am. It's my after work beer place as it closes at 4am.

 

[Mako-Ver]

Alan Wilson bumped into Speech at Ramsgate RSL on Thursday morning. Apparently Speechley goes there in the morning and leaves by lunch.
Funnily enough I was there on Thursday morning, but I was there from Midnight to 3am. It's my after work beer place as it closes at 4am.

that doesn't sound good.

 

[bad boy bubby]

that doesn't sound good.

They think he is a shift worker, finishes at 7am or something.

 

[sharknows]

Yeah he was an absolute favourite of mine. His tenacity and utter reckless ability to tackle and not give a hoot for himself.
I may have shared this previously, but I had dealings with his mother about 20 years ago. Met at their place in Earlwood, I only knew it was her as there was a huge picture of the Speech up on the wall in the lounge room.
When I saw it and looked down to see the surname, my shocked surprise made her day. Nice old lady, who has probally passed now.
Aside from her talking proudly about his playing career, she couldn’t help but have complete venom for Terry Lamb - the incident probally ruined him really.
Her thoughts is probally the reason I can’t stand him.
Hope the man is alright

Michael was the ballboy for my 1971 D grade grand final team in Newtown juniors. His father Ralph and brothers backed the formation of our team. I cannot speak highly enough of the Speechleys.

 

[Mako-Ver]

Michael was the ballboy for my 1971 D grade grand final team in Newtown juniors. His father Ralph and brothers backed the formation of our team. I cannot speak highly enough of the Speechleys.

How old are you? 105?

 

[sharknows]

How old are you? 105?

Younger than Quigs

 

[Mako-Ver]

Younger than Quigs

Well apparently his ears are still ringing from the Big Bang, so thats not hard.

 

[Quigs]

 

[RedVee]

Glad he is ok.
He was a couple of years behind me at school. Ive only heard good things about him.

 

[Peach & Apricot]

that doesn't sound good.

What's wrong with breakfast and a leisurely morning at Ramsgate RSL?

 

[Don Tweddle]

NRL 2024: Missing ex-Sharks player Michael Speechley found in Ramsgate​

In a heart-warming development, the Sharks have made contact with Michael Speechley, after the reclusive former star ‘disappeared off the face of the earth’.

Dean RitchieExclusive

In a heart-warming development, the Sharks have made contact with reclusive former star Michael Speechley.

It comes after this masthead revealed that former Cronulla players had issued an emotional plea for Speechley to reconnect with the Sharks family and old boys’ network.

Ex-players claim Speechley essentially vanished despite persistent and repeated attempts to locate for former Sharks, Rabbitohs, Eels and Jets five-eighth.

“He just disappeared off the face of the earth,” said former Sharks centre Darren Higgins.

Multiple tips and leads emerged after our story with many suggesting Speechley, leading an introverted life, often attended Ramsgate RSL. He generally arrives and leaves early, perhaps indicating he was a shift worker.

Former Sharks player and club old boys’ committee member Alan Wilson drove to Ramsgate RSL on Thursday in a bid to catch-up with Speechley.

As he was walking out of the club, Wilson bumped directly into Speechley, who was walking in.

The pair engaged in a five minute conversation with Wilson asking Speechley to stay in touch and consider returning to the Sharks family and old boy functions.

After also reminiscing about former Sharks players, Wilson gave Speechley - who was healthy and smiling - his business card. Wilson hopes Speechley will call and then enjoy a meal with some ex-teammates.

Speechley has faced some struggles and has previously been spotted living in his car at Ramsgate.

The original story gained enormous traction after Wilson posted it on the Sharks old boys’ WhatsApp page.

“I ran into Michael and had a brief chat,” Wilson said.

“He was fine and was smiling as he always does. We talked about our old teammates and we agreed to catch up soon. Hopefully it’s the start of rekindling some good friendships.”

Speechley will sometimes see former NRL player Corey Pearson at Ramsgate RSL.

Locating Speechley, who has faced his own struggles, was discussed heavily at the Sharks’ annual reunion on August 31. The ex-players have no idea where he lives and could not secure a phone number.


“I was at his house every day. His dad (Ralph) was our coach,” Fenech said. “I haven’t heard from him in such a long time – I didn’t know what he was doing or what was happening. I haven’t spoken to a lot of people for a long time.

“When I read the story about Michael in The Daily Telegraph, I was shattered and devastated. I want to help him. I will do whatever needs to be done to help him. I will be there for him, don’t worry, anything he needs. One million percent.

“I heard he’d gone through a few hassles at work and I just wish I had reached out to him then but I didn’t. Hopefully it’s not too late. This guy was great at everything. His friends just want him to reconnect and I will do whatever it takes to make that happen.

“People deserve chances. He has found some trouble and I don’t know how that panned out but I wish I was there to help him. Now I regret it but it’s never too late, brother, it’s never too late.

“We went to school together from when we were five years old and then we played footy together from five or six right through to under 18s.

“We won grand finals together from under 12s to under 18s. We won the grand final every year with a few different teams but mainly De La Salle, Marrickville, and then Henson Park Colts. We changed clubs through sponsorship.”

Online punters recall Speechley with great fondness with one posting: “What a player. His defence was absolutely brutal.”

 

[Frenzy.]

NRL 2024: Missing ex-Sharks player Michael Speechley found in Ramsgate​

In a heart-warming development, the Sharks have made contact with Michael Speechley, after the reclusive former star ‘disappeared off the face of the earth’.

Dean RitchieExclusive

In a heart-warming development, the Sharks have made contact with reclusive former star Michael Speechley.

It comes after this masthead revealed that former Cronulla players had issued an emotional plea for Speechley to reconnect with the Sharks family and old boys’ network.

Ex-players claim Speechley essentially vanished despite persistent and repeated attempts to locate for former Sharks, Rabbitohs, Eels and Jets five-eighth.

“He just disappeared off the face of the earth,” said former Sharks centre Darren Higgins.

Multiple tips and leads emerged after our story with many suggesting Speechley, leading an introverted life, often attended Ramsgate RSL. He generally arrives and leaves early, perhaps indicating he was a shift worker.

Former Sharks player and club old boys’ committee member Alan Wilson drove to Ramsgate RSL on Thursday in a bid to catch-up with Speechley.

As he was walking out of the club, Wilson bumped directly into Speechley, who was walking in.

The pair engaged in a five minute conversation with Wilson asking Speechley to stay in touch and consider returning to the Sharks family and old boy functions.

After also reminiscing about former Sharks players, Wilson gave Speechley - who was healthy and smiling - his business card. Wilson hopes Speechley will call and then enjoy a meal with some ex-teammates.

Speechley has faced some struggles and has previously been spotted living in his car at Ramsgate.

The original story gained enormous traction after Wilson posted it on the Sharks old boys’ WhatsApp page.

“I ran into Michael and had a brief chat,” Wilson said.

“He was fine and was smiling as he always does. We talked about our old teammates and we agreed to catch up soon. Hopefully it’s the start of rekindling some good friendships.”

Speechley will sometimes see former NRL player Corey Pearson at Ramsgate RSL.

Locating Speechley, who has faced his own struggles, was discussed heavily at the Sharks’ annual reunion on August 31. The ex-players have no idea where he lives and could not secure a phone number.

Australian boxing legend Jeff Fenech expressed a deep regret at losing contact with Speechley, declaring “He was my best friend.”


“I was at his house every day. His dad (Ralph) was our coach,” Fenech said. “I haven’t heard from him in such a long time – I didn’t know what he was doing or what was happening. I haven’t spoken to a lot of people for a long time.

“When I read the story about Michael in The Daily Telegraph, I was shattered and devastated. I want to help him. I will do whatever needs to be done to help him. I will be there for him, don’t worry, anything he needs. One million percent.

“I heard he’d gone through a few hassles at work and I just wish I had reached out to him then but I didn’t. Hopefully it’s not too late. This guy was great at everything. His friends just want him to reconnect and I will do whatever it takes to make that happen.

“People deserve chances. He has found some trouble and I don’t know how that panned out but I wish I was there to help him. Now I regret it but it’s never too late, brother, it’s never too late.

“We went to school together from when we were five years old and then we played footy together from five or six right through to under 18s.

“We won grand finals together from under 12s to under 18s. We won the grand final every year with a few different teams but mainly De La Salle, Marrickville, and then Henson Park Colts. We changed clubs through sponsorship.”

Online punters recall Speechley with great fondness with one posting: “What a player. His defence was absolutely brutal.”

Just popped a missing line. Wasn't sure which Fenech was quoted