Keith Gillespie

• Full name: Keith Graham Gillespie
• Date of birth: 18 March 1975
• Place of birth: Larne, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
• Position: Winger (primarily right wing)
• Nationality: Northern Irish

Club career (high-level)

• Manchester United (1991–1995) — Began his professional career in Manchester United's youth system and made senior appearances before moving on for more regular first-team football.
• Newcastle United (1995–2000) — Made his name at Newcastle, becoming a regular in the mid-1990s under Kevin Keegan and known for his pace and crossing.
• Birmingham City (loan, 1999) — Short loan spell.
• Sheffield Wednesday (2000–2003) — Regular first-team player; part of club while it moved between divisions.
• Wigan Athletic (2003–2004) — Continued playing in the English league system.
• Leicester City (2004–2007) — Important squad member; helped in promotions and campaigns in the Championship and League One.
• Rotherham United (loan, 2006) — Short-term loan.
• Gretna (2007–2008) — Played in Scottish football toward the end of his professional club career.
• Postscripts — After leaving full-time professional football, he had a brief spell with non-league or semi-professional sides and then retired from playing.

International career

• National team: Northern Ireland
• Caps: 86 (senior appearances)
• Goals: 2
• Years active: 1994–2007
• Role: Long-serving winger for Northern Ireland, often a key creative outlet on the flanks and one of the country's most-capped players of his era.

Style of play

• Known for quick acceleration and direct dribbling down the wing.
• Good crossing ability and pace that created chances for strikers.
• Often employed as a traditional wide midfielder/winger rather than as an inverted or inside forward.

Notable facts

• Part of the Newcastle United side of the mid-1990s that challenged near the top of the Premier League.
• Earned a reputation as one of Northern Ireland's most reliable wide players across more than a decade of international football.
• After retirement, has spoken publicly about personal struggles and has been involved in media and local football activities.

Career totals (approx.)

• Club appearances: Over 400 (across all clubs and competitions)
• Club goals: Around 30–40 (varies by source)

Legacy

Keith Gillespie is remembered as a pacey, hard-working winger who provided service and consistency for club and country for many years. His long international career makes him one of Northern Ireland's notable players from the 1990s and 2000s.