Percy Smith (English footballer) explained

Percy Smith
Fullname:Percy James Smith
Birth Date:1880
Birth Place:Burbage, Hinckley, England
Death Date:18 April 1959 (aged 78–79)
Death Place:Watford, England
Position:Centre half[1]
Years1:1895–
Caps1:24
Goals1:9
Years2:1902–1910
Caps2:240
Goals2:94
Years3:1910–1920
Caps3:172
Goals3:5
Years4:1920–1921
Caps4:31
Goals4:32
Years5:1921–1922
Caps5:5
Goals5:0
Totalcaps:472
Totalgoals:140
Manageryears1:1925–1927
Managerclubs1:Nelson
Manageryears2:1927–1930
Managerclubs2:Bury
Manageryears3:1930–1935
Managerclubs3:Tottenham Hotspur
Manageryears4:1935–1936
Managerclubs4:Notts County
Manageryears5:1936–1937
Managerclubs5:Bristol Rovers

Percy James Smith (1880–1959) was an English footballer and football manager, who played for Preston North End and Blackburn Rovers.

Playing career

He started his playing career with Hinckley Town before joining Preston in 1902. He quickly achieved success, helping Preston to the Second Division title in 1904, becoming the division's top scorer in the process with 26 goals,[2] and to the runners-up position in the Football League in 1906.

After eight seasons at Preston, he moved to local rivals Blackburn Rovers in 1910, where he again achieved success claiming the League title in 1912 and again in 1914, as well as reaching the FA Cup Semi-finals in 1911 and 1912.

After World War I, he finished his playing career with brief spells at Fleetwood and Barrow.

Management career

After retiring from playing, Smith managed Nelson, Bury, Tottenham Hotspur, Notts County and Bristol Rovers.

Smith became manager of Spurs in 1930. At Spurs he achieved modest success, guiding the team to the runners-up position in Division Two in 1933, thereby gaining promotion to the First Division. The team finished third place in the First Division in 1934. In the following season, injuries to players such as Willie Hall, and Arthur Rowe left the team weakened and at the bottom of the table by April 1935. Smith then resigned, claiming that the club's directors had interfered with his team selection.[3]

Honours

As a player

Preston North End

Blackburn Rovers

As a manager

Tottenham Hotspur

References

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Mr. Percy Smith.
  2. Web site: English League Leading Goalscorers . . 2010-10-31 .
  3. Book: Goodwin, Bob . Spurs: A Complete Record 1882-1988 . Breedon Books. 29 August 1988. 978-0907969426 . 61–62.