Gillespie Signs

by Scott Thornberry - 18th November 2010

Northern Ireland winger Keith Gillespie has finally signed for the club after weeks of trials.  The former Newcastle United is a free agent after leaving Irish side Glentoran in the summer.

He joined up with Manchester United back in 1991 and was part of the clubs FA Youth Cup winning side of 1992 which featured Giggs, Scholes, Beckham and the Nevilles.

He left Manchester United as part of the deal to take Andy Cole to Old Trafford and Gillespie to St James Park.

Six months later the Alex Ferguson tried to re-sign the talented winger but his offer was turned down.

Gillespie made more than 100 appearances for Newcastle before leaving for Blackburn in 1998, in a move worth £2.3m. He played 138 games for the club, including the 2002 League Cup final win over Tottenham Hotspur.

The following year he moved to Leicester City on a free transfer, then joined Sheffield United two years later.

Last year he had a spell at Bradford City then returned to Northern Ireland to play for Glentoran for a reported £1,000 a week.

Gillespie made eighty-six appearances for Northern Ireland since his debut against Portugal in 1994, scoring two goals.