Wilf Smith (footballer, born 1917) explained

Wilf Smith
Fullname:Wilfred Smith
Birth Date:18 April 1917
Birth Place:Hanley, Staffordshire, England
Death Place:Hartshill, Stoke-on-Trent, England
Position:Midfielder
Youthclubs1:Hot Lane Juniors
Youthclubs2:Sneyd Colliery
Years1:1936–1950
Clubs1:Port Vale
Caps1:87
Goals1:0
Clubs2:Buxton
Clubs3:Stafford Rangers

Wilfred Smith (18 April 1917 – 4 May 1995) was an English footballer who played as a midfielder for Port Vale either side of World War II. He made 164 appearances for the club in league and cup competitions and later played for Buxton and Stafford Rangers.

Career

Smith joined Port Vale from Sneyd Colliery in October 1936.[1] He made his Third Division North debut in the 1936–37 season, before playing 21 league games in the 1937–38 campaign.[1] He made 37 appearances in the Third Division South during the 1938–39 campaign.[1] He guested for Nottingham Forest and Southend United during World War II.[1] He returned to The Old Recreation Ground after the war and featured 27 times in the 1946–47 season.[1] He played only once in each of the 1947–48 and 1948–49 campaigns, and was given a free transfer in April 1950 by manager Gordon Hodgson.[1] He finished his career playing for non-League sides Buxton and Stafford Rangers, before becoming a scout for Portsmouth.[1]

Career statistics

Source:

ClubSeasonDivisionLeagueFA CupOtherTotal
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Port Vale1936–37Third Division North10000010
1937–38Third Division North2100010220
1938–39Third Division South3702010400
1939–4000002020
1945–4600600060
1946–47Third Division South2602000280
1947–48Third Division South10000010
1948–49Third Division South10000010
Total870100401010

Notes and References

  1. Book: Kent, Jeff. Port Vale Personalities. Witan Books. 275. 1996. 0-9529152-0-0.