Tom Smith (footballer born 1909)
Encyclopedia
Thomas McCall Smith was a Scottish
association football player and manager. Smith, who was born in Fenwick, East Ayrshire
, played in junior football before signing for Kilmarnock
. Smith was part of the Killie team that lost the Scottish Cup Final to Rangers
in 1932
, and he won international recognition two years later when he played in the 1934 British Home Championship
against England
. Smith played for Scotland in a tour of the United States
and Canada
in 1935, but none of the tour matches counted as full internationals.
A good performance in a 1936 inter-league match for the Scottish Football League
against The Football League
attracted the interest of Preston North End
, and Smith agreed to sign for the Lancashire
club soon afterwards. Smith, a centre half
, initially had to compete for that position with Billy Tremelling
, and he did not play in the 1937 FA Cup Final
defeat by Sunderland
. Smith played more regularly during the following season, when Preston finished third in the First Division. Preston also had a significant cup run, culminating in the 1938 FA Cup Final
win against Huddersfield
. To cap a highly successful year, Smith made his second (and last) appearance for Scotland
, a 1–0 victory against England in the 1938 British Home Championship
. Smith was one of five Preston players to play for Scotland in that match.
The outbreak of the Second World War in September 1939 effectively curtailed Smith's playing career. Smith continued to play for Preston during the War, and also played in one wartime international against England. He returned to Kilmarnock
in 1945 to serve as their manager
.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
association football player and manager. Smith, who was born in Fenwick, East Ayrshire
Fenwick, East Ayrshire
Fenwick is a village in East Ayrshire, Scotland, UK. As of 2001, its population was 863.Fenwick is the terminus of the M77 following its extension which was opened in April 2005, at the beginning of the Kilmarnock bypass....
, played in junior football before signing for Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock F.C.
Kilmarnock Football Club is a Scottish football team based in the town of Kilmarnock, Ayrshire. Founded in 1869, "Killie" is the oldest club currently in the Scottish Premier League. Home matches are played at Rugby Park...
. Smith was part of the Killie team that lost the Scottish Cup Final to 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...
in 1932
Scottish Cup 1931-32
The 1931–32 Scottish Cup was the 54th staging of Scotland's most prestigious football knockout competition. The Cup was won by Rangers who defeated Kilmarnock in the replayed final.-Semi-finals:-----Final:-Replay:-----See also:...
, and he won international recognition two years later when he played in the 1934 British Home Championship
1934 British Home Championship
The 1934 British Home Championship was an annual international football tournament played between the British Home Nations during the 1933–34 football season. It was won by Wales, whose run of form during the 1930s was their last sustained period of international success in the team's history...
against 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...
. Smith played for Scotland in a tour of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
in 1935, but none of the tour matches counted as full internationals.
A good performance in a 1936 inter-league match for the Scottish Football League
Scottish Football League
The Scottish Football League is a league of football teams in Scotland, comprising theScottish First Division, Scottish Second Division and Scottish Third Division. From the league's foundation in 1890 until the breakaway Scottish Premier League was formed in 1998, the Scottish Football League...
against The Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
attracted the interest of Preston North End
Preston North End F.C.
Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One...
, and Smith agreed to sign for the Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
club soon afterwards. Smith, a centre half
Defender (football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
, initially had to compete for that position with Billy Tremelling
Billy Tremelling
William Reuben "Billy" Tremelling was an English professional footballer. He played as a forward at the beginning of his career, but was later played as a defender...
, and he did not play in the 1937 FA Cup Final
1937 FA Cup Final
The 1937 FA Cup Final was contested by Sunderland and Preston North End at Wembley. Sunderland won 3–1, with goals by Bobby Gurney, Raich Carter and Eddie Burbanks. Frank O'Donnell's strike on 44 minutes had put Preston ahead.-Match details:...
defeat by Sunderland
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
. Smith played more regularly during the following season, when Preston finished third in the First Division. Preston also had a significant cup run, culminating in the 1938 FA Cup Final
1938 FA Cup Final
The 1938 FA Cup Final was contested by Preston North End and Huddersfield Town at Wembley Stadium. Preston, losing finalists the previous year, won by a single goal. After 29 minutes of extra time it was still 0–0 and BBC commentator Thomas Woodrooffe said "if there's a goal scored now, I'll...
win against Huddersfield
Huddersfield Town F.C.
Huddersfield Town Football Club is an English football club formed in 1908 and based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. They currently play in League One...
. To cap a highly successful year, Smith made his second (and last) appearance for Scotland
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
, a 1–0 victory against England in the 1938 British Home Championship
1938 British Home Championship
The 1938 British Home Championship was a football tournament played between the British Home Nations during the 1937–38 season. The competition was won by England after they defeated Ireland and Wales in their opening games...
. Smith was one of five Preston players to play for Scotland in that match.
The outbreak of the Second World War in September 1939 effectively curtailed Smith's playing career. Smith continued to play for Preston during the War, and also played in one wartime international against England. He returned to Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock F.C.
Kilmarnock Football Club is a Scottish football team based in the town of Kilmarnock, Ayrshire. Founded in 1869, "Killie" is the oldest club currently in the Scottish Premier League. Home matches are played at Rugby Park...
in 1945 to serve as their 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...
.