Bobby Smith (football manager)
Encyclopedia
Robert William "Bobby" Smith (born 14 March 1944 in Prestbury, Cheshire
) is an English
former professional footballer and football manager. He was capped by England
at Schools and Youth level. He is apparently the son of Conway Smith
and grandson of Billy Smith
, from whom he gets his middle name.
A reserve player for Manchester United
, he moved on to Scunthorpe United
in 1965, where he established himself in the first team. Moving on to Grimsby Town
in 1967, he transferred to Brighton & Hove Albion
the following year. In 1971 he signed with Hartlepool United
via Chester City
, before he finished his playing career with Bury
in 1973.
Appointing as Bury's manager in 1973, he led the club to promotion out of the Football League Fourth Division
in 1973–74, before he was sacked in October 1977. Quickly installed as Port Vale
manager, he moved on to Swindon Town
the following year, having failed to prevent the club from suffering relegation. Despite some promising league campaigns and cup runs he was sacked in October 1980. Spending time as a coach at Blackpool
, he returned to management in 1985 with Newport County
, as the club were in financial meltdown; he departed the following year. Remaining in the game as a coach at Cardiff City
, Hereford United
, and Swansea City
, he was appointed manager at Swansea in 1995. However he resigned after less than three months in charge, and took up a role in the backroom staff at Sheffield Wednesday
.
, joining in April 1961. He made over 200 appearances for the United reserve team, but left in March 1965 to join Scunthorpe United
still waiting for his league debut. He moved to Grimsby Town
, for a fee of £8,000, moving on again to Brighton & Hove Albion
in June 1968.
He left Brighton in June 1971, joining Chester City
, but moved to Hartlepool United
in October of that year. In August 1973 he moved to Bury
as player-coach, but failed to appear in their league side.
in November 1973, taking over from Allan Brown, he was the youngest manager in the Football League
. He had initial success, guiding Bury to promotion from Division Four
at the end of the season. He was sacked by Bury in October 1977 after a poor start to the season, but two days later was appointed as manager of Port Vale
. He made a series of new signings at Vale, but the club were relegated from the Third Division
by April 1978 nonetheless.
Smith was appointed as manager of Swindon Town
in May 1978, with the club having to pay a compensation fee of £10,500 to Port Vale. Despite still being a relatively young manager, he guided Swindon to a promotion challenge in his first season in charge - missing out by three points after losing the last two games of the season.
The following season Swindon beat Arsenal
to reach the League Cup
semi-final, losing out to Wolverhampton Wanderers
when Wolves scored the winner five minutes from the end of the second leg. Having spent large amounts of money, particularly on David Peach
and Glenn Cockerill
, expectations were high at Swindon for the 1980–81 season. However, Smith was sacked in October 1980 after Swindon lost their first five games.
In 1981 he joined the coaching staff at Blackpool
and in July 1982 moved to be a coach at Newport County
. He was manager of Newport between June 1985 and March 1986, leaving the financially impoverished Welsh side just a couple years before their total financial collapse.
He coached Cardiff City
between 1989 and July 1990 and later that year became assistant manager of Hereford United
. He joined the coaching staff at Swansea City
in March 1991 and was made assistant manager the following year. In October 1995 he became manager of Swansea after the departure of Frank Burrows
, but resigned just 80 days later in December of the same year. In 1996 he was appointed to the coaching staff at Sheffield Wednesday
where he performed a variety of roles before leaving in the summer of 1999.
Prestbury, Cheshire
Prestbury is a village, civil parish and ecclesiastical parish in the unitary authority of Cheshire East and the ceremonial county of Cheshire, England. Prestbury is a long, narrow parish covering 1,165 hectares to the west of the Peak Park foothills and to the east of the sandstone ridge which is...
) is an English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
former professional footballer and football manager. He was capped by 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...
at Schools and Youth level. He is apparently the son of Conway Smith
Conway Smith
William Conway Smith , known as Conway Smith, was an English footballer born in Huddersfield, Yorkshire, who played as an inside forward for Huddersfield Town, Queens Park Rangers and Halifax Town in the Football League, and in non-league football for Nelson.Smith, the son of Huddersfield Town and...
and grandson of Billy Smith
Billy Smith (footballer born 1895)
William Henry "Billy" Smith was a professional footballer who played most of his career at Huddersfield Town....
, from whom he gets his middle name.
A reserve player for Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
, he moved on to Scunthorpe United
Scunthorpe United F.C.
Scunthorpe United Football Club is an English association football team based in the town of Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, who play in the Football League One....
in 1965, where he established himself in the first team. Moving on to Grimsby Town
Grimsby Town F.C.
Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby Town...
in 1967, he transferred to Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.
Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system....
the following year. In 1971 he signed with Hartlepool United
Hartlepool United F.C.
Hartlepool United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Hartlepool that currently play in League One. The team won promotion to League One in the 2006–07 season...
via Chester City
Chester City F.C.
Chester City Football Club was an English football team from Chester. The club was founded as Chester F.C., and joined the Football League in 1931, spending most of their time in the lower divisions. They changed their name to Chester City in 1983. Chester won their first league title in 2004, the...
, before he finished his playing career with Bury
Bury F.C.
Bury Football Club is an association football team based in Bury, Greater Manchester. The team currently play in League One. The club's nickname is The Shakers which was bestowed upon them by club chairman JT Ingham, an industrialist and ironmonger of the late 1890s.-Formation of the club and the...
in 1973.
Appointing as Bury's manager in 1973, he led the club to promotion out of the Football League Fourth Division
Football League Fourth Division
The Fourth Division of The Football League was the fourth-highest division in the English football league system from the 1958–59 season until the creation of the Premier League prior to the 1992–93 season...
in 1973–74, before he was sacked in October 1977. Quickly installed as Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
manager, he moved on to Swindon Town
Swindon Town F.C.
Swindon Town Football Club are a team based in Swindon, Wiltshire. Currently in League Two, Swindon have been managed by Paolo Di Canio since 23 May 2011...
the following year, having failed to prevent the club from suffering relegation. Despite some promising league campaigns and cup runs he was sacked in October 1980. Spending time as a coach at Blackpool
Blackpool F.C.
Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the...
, he returned to management in 1985 with Newport County
Newport County A.F.C.
Newport County Association Football Club are a professional football club based in the city of Newport, south Wales, who currently play in the Conference National, the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
, as the club were in financial meltdown; he departed the following year. Remaining in the game as a coach at Cardiff City
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
, Hereford United
Hereford United F.C.
Hereford United Football Club is an English professional football club based in the city of Hereford. Founded in 1924, they are competing in Football League Two in the 2011–12 season. Hereford have played at Edgar Street for their entire history and are nicknamed 'The Whites' or 'The Lilywhites',...
, and Swansea City
Swansea City A.F.C.
Swansea City Association Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Swansea, Wales. One of the most successful clubs in Welsh football, it has won 10 Welsh Cups and led the English Football League First Division in December 1981, before finishing the season in 6th position...
, he was appointed manager at Swansea in 1995. However he resigned after less than three months in charge, and took up a role in the backroom staff at Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday F.C.
Sheffield Wednesday Football Club are a football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, who are currently competing in the Football League One in the 2011-12 season, in England. Sheffield Wednesday are one of the oldest professional clubs in the world and the fourth oldest in the...
.
Playing career
Bobby Smith began his career with Manchester UnitedManchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
, joining in April 1961. He made over 200 appearances for the United reserve team, but left in March 1965 to join Scunthorpe United
Scunthorpe United F.C.
Scunthorpe United Football Club is an English association football team based in the town of Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, who play in the Football League One....
still waiting for his league debut. He moved to Grimsby Town
Grimsby Town F.C.
Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby Town...
, for a fee of £8,000, moving on again to Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.
Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system....
in June 1968.
He left Brighton in June 1971, joining Chester City
Chester City F.C.
Chester City Football Club was an English football team from Chester. The club was founded as Chester F.C., and joined the Football League in 1931, spending most of their time in the lower divisions. They changed their name to Chester City in 1983. Chester won their first league title in 2004, the...
, but moved to Hartlepool United
Hartlepool United F.C.
Hartlepool United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Hartlepool that currently play in League One. The team won promotion to League One in the 2006–07 season...
in October of that year. In August 1973 he moved to Bury
Bury F.C.
Bury Football Club is an association football team based in Bury, Greater Manchester. The team currently play in League One. The club's nickname is The Shakers which was bestowed upon them by club chairman JT Ingham, an industrialist and ironmonger of the late 1890s.-Formation of the club and the...
as player-coach, but failed to appear in their league side.
Managerial and coaching career
When Smith began his managerial career with BuryBury F.C.
Bury Football Club is an association football team based in Bury, Greater Manchester. The team currently play in League One. The club's nickname is The Shakers which was bestowed upon them by club chairman JT Ingham, an industrialist and ironmonger of the late 1890s.-Formation of the club and the...
in November 1973, taking over from Allan Brown, he was the youngest manager in 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...
. He had initial success, guiding Bury to promotion from Division Four
Football League Fourth Division
The Fourth Division of The Football League was the fourth-highest division in the English football league system from the 1958–59 season until the creation of the Premier League prior to the 1992–93 season...
at the end of the season. He was sacked by Bury in October 1977 after a poor start to the season, but two days later was appointed as manager of Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
. He made a series of new signings at Vale, but the club were relegated from the Third Division
Football League Third Division
The Football League Third Division was the 3 tier of English Football from 1920 until 1992 when after the formation of the Football Association Premier League saw the league renamed The Football League Division Two...
by April 1978 nonetheless.
Smith was appointed as manager of Swindon Town
Swindon Town F.C.
Swindon Town Football Club are a team based in Swindon, Wiltshire. Currently in League Two, Swindon have been managed by Paolo Di Canio since 23 May 2011...
in May 1978, with the club having to pay a compensation fee of £10,500 to Port Vale. Despite still being a relatively young manager, he guided Swindon to a promotion challenge in his first season in charge - missing out by three points after losing the last two games of the season.
The following season Swindon beat Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
to reach the League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
semi-final, losing out to Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
when Wolves scored the winner five minutes from the end of the second leg. Having spent large amounts of money, particularly on David Peach
David Peach
David Sidney Peach is a former footballer, who played at left back for Southampton in the FA Cup Final 1976.-Chelsea & Gillingham:...
and Glenn Cockerill
Glenn Cockerill
Glenn Cockerill is a retired English footballer who played more than 700 games in The Football League in a 22-year career. He is perhaps best remembered from his eight-year spell at Southampton...
, expectations were high at Swindon for the 1980–81 season. However, Smith was sacked in October 1980 after Swindon lost their first five games.
In 1981 he joined the coaching staff at Blackpool
Blackpool F.C.
Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the...
and in July 1982 moved to be a coach at Newport County
Newport County A.F.C.
Newport County Association Football Club are a professional football club based in the city of Newport, south Wales, who currently play in the Conference National, the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
. He was manager of Newport between June 1985 and March 1986, leaving the financially impoverished Welsh side just a couple years before their total financial collapse.
He coached Cardiff City
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
between 1989 and July 1990 and later that year became assistant manager of Hereford United
Hereford United F.C.
Hereford United Football Club is an English professional football club based in the city of Hereford. Founded in 1924, they are competing in Football League Two in the 2011–12 season. Hereford have played at Edgar Street for their entire history and are nicknamed 'The Whites' or 'The Lilywhites',...
. He joined the coaching staff at Swansea City
Swansea City A.F.C.
Swansea City Association Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Swansea, Wales. One of the most successful clubs in Welsh football, it has won 10 Welsh Cups and led the English Football League First Division in December 1981, before finishing the season in 6th position...
in March 1991 and was made assistant manager the following year. In October 1995 he became manager of Swansea after the departure of Frank Burrows
Frank Burrows
Frank Burrows is a Scottish soccer manager, and former player.-Biography:Frank Burrows began his football career at Scottish club Raith Rovers. In 1965 he moved south to England and joined Scunthorpe United. Impressive performances as a defender for Scunthorpe led to him being signed by Swindon...
, but resigned just 80 days later in December of the same year. In 1996 he was appointed to the coaching staff at Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday F.C.
Sheffield Wednesday Football Club are a football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, who are currently competing in the Football League One in the 2011-12 season, in England. Sheffield Wednesday are one of the oldest professional clubs in the world and the fourth oldest in the...
where he performed a variety of roles before leaving in the summer of 1999.
as a Manager
with Bury- Football League Fourth DivisionFootball League Fourth DivisionThe Fourth Division of The Football League was the fourth-highest division in the English football league system from the 1958–59 season until the creation of the Premier League prior to the 1992–93 season...
fourth place promotion: 1973–74