Leslie Smith (footballer born 1918)
Encyclopedia
Leslie George Frederick Smith (13 March 1918 – 20 May 1995) was an English
footballer. Born and educated in Ealing
he was a junior with Petersham, before joining Brentford
as an amateur on 26 June 1934. Whilst as an amateur he gained experience at both Wimbledon
and Hayes F.C.
on loan, before turning professional with the Bees in March 1936 as an outside-right. On 24 May 1939, he was capped by England
, replacing the injured Stanley Matthews
against Romania
, to become Brentford's second and final England international to date following Billy Scott
in 1936. He also played for Brentford during the war
. He also played 13 wartime internationals for England.
In October 1945, Smith signed for Aston Villa
for a fee of £7,500, where he spent six seasons and became a crowd favourite. In 1952, he returned to Brentford, for a fee of £3,000, where he spent one season before retiring. After his retirement he went into management for a season with Kidderminster Harriers
, before becoming a scout for Wolverhampton Wanderers
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
footballer. Born and educated in Ealing
Ealing
Ealing is a suburban area of west London, England and the administrative centre of the London Borough of Ealing. It is located west of Charing Cross and around from the City of London. It is one of the major metropolitan centres identified in the London Plan. It was historically a rural village...
he was a junior with Petersham, before joining Brentford
Brentford F.C.
Brentford Football Club are a professional English football club based in Brentford in the London Borough of Hounslow. They are currently playing in Football League One....
as an amateur on 26 June 1934. Whilst as an amateur he gained experience at both Wimbledon
Wimbledon F.C.
Wimbledon Football Club was an English professional association football club from Wimbledon, south-west London. Founded in 1889 as Wimbledon Old Central Football Club, the club spent most of its history in amateur and semi-professional non-League football before being elected to the Football...
and Hayes F.C.
Hayes F.C.
Hayes F.C. was an English football club based in Hayes, in Greater London. The club started out as Botwell Mission in 1909 taking its present name in 1929. The team nickname, The Missioners was a salute to the history of the team. The club played in the Conference South for their last few seasons...
on loan, before turning professional with the Bees in March 1936 as an outside-right. On 24 May 1939, he was capped by 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...
, replacing the injured Stanley Matthews
Stanley Matthews
Sir Stanley Matthews, CBE was an English footballer. Often regarded as one of the greatest players of the English game, he is the only player to have been knighted while still playing, as well as being the first winner of both the European Footballer of the Year and the Football Writers'...
against Romania
Romania national football team
The Romania national football team is the national football team of Romania and is controlled by the Romanian Football Federation.Romania is one of only four national teams, the other three being Brazil, France, and Belgium, that took part in the first three World Cups.However, after that...
, to become Brentford's second and final England international to date following Billy Scott
Billy Scott (footballer born 1907)
William Reed Scott was an English international footballer, who played as an inside forward.-Career:Born in Willington Quay, Scott played professionally for Brentford, and earned one cap for England in 1936....
in 1936. He also played for Brentford during the war
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. He also played 13 wartime internationals for England.
In October 1945, Smith signed for Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
for a fee of £7,500, where he spent six seasons and became a crowd favourite. In 1952, he returned to Brentford, for a fee of £3,000, where he spent one season before retiring. After his retirement he went into management for a season with Kidderminster Harriers
Kidderminster Harriers F.C.
Kidderminster Harriers F.C. are an English football club based in Kidderminster, Worcestershire formed in 1886 They currently play in the Conference National and have played at Aggborough Stadium since they were formed...
, before becoming a scout for Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...