Fred Smith (footballer, born 1942) explained

Fred Smith
Fullname:Frederick Gregg Smith
Birth Date:25 December 1942
Birth Place:West Sleekburn, England
Position:Full back
Youthyears1:1959–1963
Youthclubs1:Burnley
Years1:1963–1970
Clubs1:Burnley
Caps1:84
Goals1:1
Years2:1970–1973
Clubs2:Portsmouth
Caps2:81
Goals2:1
Years3:1973–1974
Clubs3:Dallas Tornado
Caps3:15
Goals3:0
Years4:1974–1975
Clubs4:Halifax Town
Caps4:3
Goals4:0

Frederick Gregg Smith (25 December 1942 – 26 March 2020) was an English footballer who played at full back for Burnley and Portsmouth, in the 1960s and 1970s.

Football career

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.[1]

In February 2009, Smith was included (at No. 60) in the list of "100 Greatest Clarets".[2]

At Portsmouth, 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 Fulham in October 1971.[3]

Smith was with Dallas Tornado in the North American Soccer League during 1974, but did not make any appearances.[4] Returning to England, he briefly played for Halifax Town.

He died in March 2020.[5]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Clarets 100 Great Moments: 49. What a start for the youngsters . www.clarets-mad.co.uk. 21 April 2009. 27 July 2002.
  2. Web site: 100 Greatest Clarets . www.clarets-mad.co.uk. 21 April 2009. 16 February 2009.
  3. Web site: We've had high scoring games with Fulham too!. vitalfootball. 21 April 2009. 5 October 2007.
  4. Web site: Freddie Smith. www.nasljerseys.com. 13 April 2017.
  5. https://www.clitheroeadvertiser.co.uk/sport/football/former-claret-freddie-smith-passes-away-2520528 Former Claret Freddie Smith passes away