Fred Smith (footballer born 1942)
Encyclopedia
Frederick Gregg "Fred" Smith (born 25 December 1942) is a retired English footballer who played at full back for Burnley
and Portsmouth
, in the 1960s and 1970s.
and joined First Division
Burnley
as a trainee in 1959, graduating to he first-team in 1963, generally playing at right back
. For most of his career at Turf Moor
, Smith was prevented from becoming a first-team regular by the form of England
international John Angus
.
In October 1968, Burnley were suffering from a loss of form, causing manager Harry Potts
to call up several younger players to replace the under-performing first-choice eleven. Smith was called into the team to play West Ham United
, winning 3–1. With only one change, the same eleven players went on to record eight successive victories in League and Cup matches, with John Murray scoring eight goals.
Angus was recalled at the start of the 1969–70 season, at the end of which Smith moved to the south coast to join Second Division
Portsmouth
.
In February 2009, Smith was included (at No. 60) in the list of "100 Greatest Clarets".
in October 1971.
before ending his career with a season at Halifax Town.
Burnley F.C.
Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888...
and Portsmouth
Portsmouth F.C.
Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from...
, in the 1960s and 1970s.
Burnley
Smith was born in West Sleekburn, NorthumberlandNorthumberland
Northumberland is the northernmost ceremonial county and a unitary district in North East England. For Eurostat purposes Northumberland is a NUTS 3 region and is one of three boroughs or unitary districts that comprise the "Northumberland and Tyne and Wear" NUTS 2 region...
and joined First Division
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
Burnley
Burnley F.C.
Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888...
as a trainee in 1959, graduating to he first-team in 1963, generally playing at right back
Right Back
-Guest Artists:This album features many additional artists, including:* Barrington Levy, performing on "Righteous Dub" & "Saw Red"* H.R., performing on "New Sun"* Dangr, performing on "Kick Down"* Tippa Irie, performing on "Sensi"...
. For most of his career at Turf Moor
Turf Moor
Turf Moor is a football stadium in Burnley, Lancashire. It is the home ground of Burnley Football Club, which has played there since moving from its Calder Vale ground in 1883. The stadium, which is situated on Harry Potts Way, named so after the club's longest serving Manager, has a capacity of...
, Smith was prevented from becoming a first-team regular by the form of England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
international John Angus
John Angus (footballer)
John Angus is a retired English footballer who played his entire club career as a right back for Burnley between 1956 and 1972, helping them win the Football League title in 1960...
.
In October 1968, Burnley were suffering from a loss of form, causing manager Harry Potts
Harry Potts
Harold "Harry" Potts was an English football player and manager.-Early life:Born in Hetton-le-Hole, County Durham, as was another well-known name in football, Bob Paisley. The duo spent much of their childhood playing various sports, but it was football that Potts loved most...
to call up several younger players to replace the under-performing first-choice eleven. Smith was called into the team to play West Ham United
West Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
, winning 3–1. With only one change, the same eleven players went on to record eight successive victories in League and Cup matches, with John Murray scoring eight goals.
Angus was recalled at the start of the 1969–70 season, at the end of which Smith moved to the south coast to join Second Division
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
Portsmouth
Portsmouth F.C.
Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from...
.
In February 2009, Smith was included (at No. 60) in the list of "100 Greatest Clarets".
Portsmouth
At Pompey, Smith soon became a first team regular and was ever-present in 1971–72. Smith scored his only first-team goal for Portsmouth in a 6–3 victory over FulhamFulham F.C.
Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season...
in October 1971.
Later career
Smith spent 1973–74 in the United States with Dallas TornadoDallas Tornado
Dallas Tornado were a soccer team based in Dallas that played in the NASL. They played from 1967 to 1981. Their home fields were Cotton Bowl , P.C. Cobb Stadium , Franklin Field , Texas Stadium and Ownby Stadium on the SMU campus...
before ending his career with a season at Halifax Town.