Being a life-long supporter, Gary always put in a full shift when he wore maroon and as one of the club's youngest captains, he would surely have led Hearts to success, but for a dreadful series of injuries that started in the 1996 Scottish Cup Final.

Born on 16 June 1975, Gary comes from Bonnyrigg and he played his early football for Lasswade High School and Panda Youth Club. The powerhouse defender or midfielder then had a spell with Hutchison Vale Boys Club, before joining Hearts when he was sixteen. Gary was subsequently farmed out to Whitehill Welfare and eventually called-up by Hearts in July 1992.

Working under the management of Joe Jordan and then Sandy Clark, the enthusiastic ball-winner led the club's youngsters to victory over Rangers in the BP Youth Cup Final of 1993. Gary also played his part when Hearts won the Reserve League Championship that season. At right-back, he possessed outstanding strength in the tackle, and with his power going forward, Gary could also be a force in midfield. As a result, he made his first team debut at the age of seventeen, when he came on as a substitute against St.Johnstone in a League fixture in Perth on 15 May 1993.

Gary dropped out of the picture in 1994-95, with Tommy McLean as manager, but when Jim Jefferies took over, the club's most wholehearted performer was soon back in favour and declared himself, "the proudest man in Edinburgh," when he was appointed captain in November 1995. Gary also became established in the Scottish U21 International side and then sensationally, he became the youngest Scottish Cup Final captain, when he led Hearts out against Rangers in May 1996. Unfortunately, a great season turned sour when Gary was carried off after only eight minutes with a serious knee ligament injury that later required surgery.

Gary had not recovered at the time of the League Cup Final in November 1996, but he was in the stands giving his colleagues every encouragement against Rangers. Early in 1997, Hearts dynamic skipper made his return however, at the start of the 1997-98 campaign, Gary was again sidelined by an Achilles tendon injury. He was back by October 1997, but sadly, Gary suffered yet another knee injury in March 1998 and a further cartilage operation forced him to miss the Scottish Cup Final. The club skipper was devastated to miss that famous victory over Rangers, but led his team-mates in the celebrations which followed.

Gary signed a three-year contract in April 1998 and vowed to lead Hearts to further success and also make up for his personal Cup Final disappointments. He subsequently became a driving force in the team that finished third in the League in 1999-2000, although he had handed over the captaincy to Colin Cameron.

When Jim Jefferies went south to manage Bradford City, he needed industrious and reliable performers and accordingly, Gary signed for City in January 2001. He had scored 12 goals in 216 appearances for Hearts, of which 6 goals had come in his 189 competitive games.

Unfortunately, the Yorkshire side was relegated from the Premier League that season and finished in the middle of the Championship Division in 2001-02. Gary wanted a fresh challenge and was delighted to join his old boss at Kilmarnock in August 2002.

Gary helped Kilmarnock to remain a strong Premier League club for seven seasons, although his competitive appearances were restricted to around 125, due to a succession of injuries. He did come on as a substitute when Kilmarnock lost to Hibs in the League Cup Final in March 2007 and at the time, Gary started to develop his coaching skills. He looked after the reserves for two and a half years, and looked set for a coaching role at Rugby Park until May 2009, when these ambitions were dashed by the club's financial problems.

As a result, Gary was available when Jim Jefferies took over as Hearts' manager and he returned to his first love as coach in February 2010. No-one will give any more than Gary Locke towards bringing success back to the Heart of Midlothian.