Tommy Smith (footballer born 1945)
Thomas " Tommy" Smith ( born April 5, 1945 in Liverpool ) is a former English footballer. The defender was in the 1960s and 1970s, part of the then very successful Liverpool. Here, the temporary captain stood out in a central defensive position and as a full-back mainly by a large strength in the tackle.
Sports career
Liverpool FC (1962-1978)
Born in Liverpool Tommy Smith joined at the age of 15 years on May 19, 1960 the trained by Bill Shankly Liverpool FC and came nearly three years later, on May 8, 1963 on the final day of the season in a 5-1 victory against Birmingham City at Anfield for the first time in the first team to use. However, in the subsequent season, he completed no league game and could therefore also make a contribution this season to win the championship. His first goal scored Tommy Smith at the 2:3 defeat on August 29, 1964 against Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park.
In 1965, Smith developed increasingly becoming a regular player of Liverpool FC and he played a crucial role in ensuring that the club was in its history, winning the FA Cup for the first time. The team had to defeat on May 1, 1965 Final Leeds United 2-1 after extra time. Contrary to the usual practice, Smith had been assigned to it by Billy Shankly 's jersey with the number 10, which at that time was usually reserved for a somewhat back hanging striker and could possibly have confused the opposing team. Winning the English league title in the season 1965/66 was to bring the first of four championship medals Smith. However, the season ended with a slightly bitter aftertaste, as he lost with his team at Hampden Park, the final of the European Cup Winners' Cup against Borussia Dortmund 1-2. Had Smith won this trophy at this time, he would have given his later European Cup successes, has become one of the few football players who could win all three major trophies in European club football.
After the English league title in 1966 followed at Liverpool a sporting drought phase. When finally a disappointing defeat against Watford at the Vicarage Road had to be accepted in the season 1969/70, to Shankly opted for an extensive remodeling and a significant rejuvenation of the team. Smith was next to Ian Callaghan, Chris Lawler and Emlyn Hughes one of the few " survivors " who presented the new framework together with the substances carried from the reserve team Alec Lindsay, Brian Hall and Ray Clemence - this should still Steve Heighway, John Toshack (and later even Kevin Keegan ) reinforce the new team. Smith led the team from now on as captain and moved in 1971 to the FA Cup final, which was, however, lost 1-2 against Arsenal. Two years later, Smith took over as team captain against his two English champions trophy and extended the success to a "Double " after Liverpool had defeated after return match Borussia Moenchengladbach in the UEFA Cup final with 3-2 gates.
Shankly transferred in the course primarily for disciplinary reasons, the captaincy on Emlyn Hughes, because Smith had previously complained about a non-consideration. After his return, Smith moved from the former central defensive position on the role of external defense and redeemed herself in the favor of his coach again. Still, it was finally Hughes, who received from the hands of Princess Anne on May 4, 1974 after a 3-0 final win against Liverpool Newcastle United the FA Cup trophy. In the game itself, Smith had previously prepared the third goal from Kevin Keegan.
With the aspiring young talents Phil Thompson and Phil Neal as new alternatives in defense Smith graduated from now slightly less games, although his contribution to the profit of a new English Championship and another UEFA Cup title in 1976 remained relatively large - in the championship he came up with 24 appearances and he acted in two UEFA Cup finals on the left side of defense. Smith subsequently announced that the 1976/77 season should be his last season at Liverpool. He was for long stretches of the season 1977/78 on the bench again, but could after an injury by Phil Thompson during a 1-0 win against Newcastle United in March 1977 to return to the team, which then again English champions. The defeat against Manchester United in the FA Cup final made sure that Smith was denied the opportunity for a " Triple", since only a few days later in Rome the triumph should be followed in the European Cup of Champions. In the final, Smith standing with his team again Borussia Mönchengladbach against Smith and marked with a headed goal 2-1 ahead - in the end won the Liverpool FC 3-1.
Two days after the victory in Rome came to Anfield Smith in his " Testimonial Match", where he was honored in a kind of " personal charity match " for his many years of service at the club. 35 694 spectators, ended the match with a put together by Bobby Charlton Elf with 9:9. Mainly because of the recent positive impressions after Smith moved his previously announced resignation at Liverpool and extended its commitment for another year. However, due to a foot injury suffered in a garden accident in April 1978, he had to end the season prematurely and missed by the successful title defense of the European European Cup in 1978.
Swansea City (1978-1979)
After a total of 638 official matches inserts for Liverpool FC Smith moved to the Welsh club Swansea City. In his last season as an active player, he led the football coached by his former teammate John Toshack team to promotion to the Third Division. A year after his appointment as Master of the Empire Brish Smith resigned permanently. Was noteworthy that remained to him in spite of his long affiliation to a successful European team Liverpool denied a career as an England international. After working in the U-23 team youth teams and in 1971 his first international match was against Wales at Wembley Stadium on the occasion of the British Home Championship his last.
After the active football and rear view
Although Smith briefly worked as a youth coach at Liverpool, he retired to his active career largely out of the football business back. By his attitude, he reinforced in its own following a certain legendary status, the most noticeable happens when you spoke about the former " hard men " in English football. The during his career as " Anfield Iron" Smith was designated not only as a tough tackler, but also gave up on the pitch often verbal duels with the opponents and the referee. Especially among fellow travelers who were playing a very strong body also - including Jack Charlton, Norman Hunter and Ron Harris - received the long-standing Liverpool defender large Respekterweisungen.
Smith had a time in Wigan a restaurant with the name "The Smithy ". His health had his playing style to pay tribute and a hip replacement and increasing arthritis were just some of the growing problems with which Smith had to fight later. He lives currently withdrawn around Crosby and regularly visits the matches of FC Liverpool. In a recently published survey on the best Liverpool players of all time ( " 100 Players Who Shook The Kop " ) took Smith in 25th place. On 6 June 2007 Smith suffered a heart attack and had to undergo a bypass surgery.
Achievements
- European Cup Winners ' Cup: 1977
- UEFA Cup winners: 1973, 1976
- Supercup winner: 1977
- English Champion: 1966, 1973, 1976, 1977
- FA Cup winner: 1965, 1974
- Charity Shield Winners: 1965 ( shared ), 1966, 1974