Bobby Smith (Scottish footballer)
Encyclopedia
Bobby Smith was a Scottish
association football player, who played most prominently for Hibernian
and Leicester City
. Smith was primarily a midfielder
, but could also play at full back
. Smith made 200 appearances in all competitions for both Hibs and Leicester.
Smith started his professional career with Hibs, where he played a part in the successful teams of the early and mid 1970s. Smith attracted the attention of Rangers
manager
Jock Wallace
by scoring a spectacular goal for Hibs against Rangers in a 1976 match. Wallace became Leicester City manager in 1978, and signed Smith for an £85,000 transfer fee later that year. Smith helped Leicester win promotion to the top division twice during his spell with the club.
He regularly captained Leicester during his eight years there.
He was loaned to Peterborough
and Hibs during the 1982–83 season, and then returned to Hibs on a "permanent" basis in 1986.
After leaving Hibs for the final time in 1987, Smith played a prominent defensive
role for a Dunfermline
side that gained promotion to the Premier Division
, but was released at the end of that season. After ending his career with spells at Partick Thistle
and Berwick Rangers
, Smith became a taxi
driver, and later ran a pub in Dalkeith called Smith's Bar. Smith died in February 2010 after suffering from cancer
, less than a week after former teammate Alan Gordon
died from the same illness.
Scottish people
The Scottish people , or Scots, are a nation and ethnic group native to Scotland. Historically they emerged from an amalgamation of the Picts and Gaels, incorporating neighbouring Britons to the south as well as invading Germanic peoples such as the Anglo-Saxons and the Norse.In modern use,...
association football player, who played most prominently for Hibernian
Hibernian F.C.
Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts...
and Leicester City
Leicester City F.C.
Leicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester...
. Smith was primarily a midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
, but could also play at full back
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
. Smith made 200 appearances in all competitions for both Hibs and Leicester.
Smith started his professional career with Hibs, where he played a part in the successful teams of the early and mid 1970s. Smith attracted the attention of Rangers
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
manager
Head coach
A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
Jock Wallace
Jock Wallace
John "Jock" Martin Bokas Wallace was a professional Scottish football player and manager. His father, Jock Wallace, Sr., was a goalkeeper for Raith Rovers, Blackpool and Derby County....
by scoring a spectacular goal for Hibs against Rangers in a 1976 match. Wallace became Leicester City manager in 1978, and signed Smith for an £85,000 transfer fee later that year. Smith helped Leicester win promotion to the top division twice during his spell with the club.
He regularly captained Leicester during his eight years there.
He was loaned to Peterborough
Peterborough United F.C.
Peterborough United Football Club are a professional English football club based in Peterborough. Peterborough United formed in 1934 and played in the old Midland League, which they won six times; eventually being admitted to the Football League in 1960, replacing Gateshead. Their home ground is...
and Hibs during the 1982–83 season, and then returned to Hibs on a "permanent" basis in 1986.
After leaving Hibs for the final time in 1987, Smith played a prominent defensive
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
role for a Dunfermline
Dunfermline Athletic F.C.
Dunfermline Athletic Football Club are a Scottish football team based in Dunfermline, Fife, commonly known as just Dunfermline. They currently compete in the Scottish Premier League....
side that gained promotion to the Premier Division
Scottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
, but was released at the end of that season. After ending his career with spells at Partick Thistle
Partick Thistle F.C.
Partick Thistle Football Club are a professional association football club from Glasgow. Despite their name, the club are based in the Maryhill area of the city, and have not played in Partick since 1908...
and Berwick Rangers
Berwick Rangers F.C.
Berwick Rangers Football Club are a football team based in the English Border town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, although they play in the Scottish Football League Third Division...
, Smith became a taxi
Taxicab
A taxicab, also taxi or cab, is a type of vehicle for hire with a driver, used by a single passenger or small group of passengers, often for a non-shared ride. A taxicab conveys passengers between locations of their choice...
driver, and later ran a pub in Dalkeith called Smith's Bar. Smith died in February 2010 after suffering from cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
, less than a week after former teammate Alan Gordon
Alan Gordon (footballer)
Alan Gordon was a Scottish football player who is notable for playing for the two senior sides of both Edinburgh and Dundee, and is thought to be the only player to do so.- Hearts :...
died from the same illness.