By Matthew Jones
June 17 2003
33-year-old Newcastle midfielder Gary Speed has stated that he wants to end his playing career at St James' Park, despite being linked with a possible transfer to Fulham. Veteran midfielder, Gary Speed, has insisted that he is not interested in a move to Fulham. He wants to end his playing career at Newcastle.
Speed, 33-years-old, has been linked with a switch to west London to join up with his former Wales team-mate Chris Coleman, who is now manager of Fulham.
Speed said: "I love everything about playing for Newcastle United - the club, the fans and the city - and I'm trying to keep it like that for as long as possible.
"It's a great place to play at the moment. With perhaps the exception of Manchester United, there is nowhere better.
"So when you leave Newcastle now, you are basically taking a step down the ladder.
"I'm 33 now and who knows if I can make it to the World Cup in 2006? I think I'm fitter now than I've ever been.
"But if I'm not good enough to play for England and Wales, I wouldn't want to carry on for sentimental reasons."
