Eric Smith (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Eric Smith was a Scottish former professional footballer who played as a right half for Celtic
, Leeds United and Greenock Morton
in the 1950s and 1960s. He was capped twice for the Scotland national football team
and later managed Morton
, Hamilton Academical
and Sharjah FC
.
in the 1954–55 season and gained two caps for the Scotland national football team
in 1959. He joined Leeds United in 1960 when the club was in decline, and performed heroically during the 1961–62 season when Leeds battled against relegation to the Third Division
. Smith's career at Leeds ended when he suffered a double-fracture of the leg during a home game against Chelsea
in September 1962. He joined Morton
in 1964 where he played for two seasons and later became manager.
for five seasons from 1972–73 to 1977–78. He then briefly managed Sharjah FC
in the United Arab Emirates
in 1978.
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
, Leeds United and Greenock Morton
Greenock Morton F.C.
Greenock Morton Football Club are a Scottish professional football club, who currently play in the Scottish Football League First Division. The club was founded as Morton Football Club in 1874, making it one of the oldest senior Scottish clubs....
in the 1950s and 1960s. He was capped twice for the Scotland national football team
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
and later managed Morton
Greenock Morton F.C.
Greenock Morton Football Club are a Scottish professional football club, who currently play in the Scottish Football League First Division. The club was founded as Morton Football Club in 1874, making it one of the oldest senior Scottish clubs....
, Hamilton Academical
Hamilton Academical F.C.
Hamilton Academical Football Club, often known as Hamilton Academical, or Accies, are a Scottish football club from Hamilton in South Lanarkshire. They were established in 1874 from the school football team at Hamilton Academy. They remain the only professional club in British football to have...
and Sharjah FC
Sharjah FC
Sharjah Sports Club is a United Arab Emirates professional football club. It is based in Sharjah city. The home stadium is Sharjah Stadium....
.
Playing career
Smith began his professional career at CelticCeltic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
in the 1954–55 season and gained two caps for the Scotland national football team
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
in 1959. He joined Leeds United in 1960 when the club was in decline, and performed heroically during the 1961–62 season when Leeds battled against relegation to 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...
. Smith's career at Leeds ended when he suffered a double-fracture of the leg during a home game against Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
in September 1962. He joined Morton
Greenock Morton F.C.
Greenock Morton Football Club are a Scottish professional football club, who currently play in the Scottish Football League First Division. The club was founded as Morton Football Club in 1874, making it one of the oldest senior Scottish clubs....
in 1964 where he played for two seasons and later became manager.
Leeds United playing statistics
| Club | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Total |
| |Apps (goals) | Apps (goals) | Apps (goals) | Apps (goals) | |
| Leeds United | 65 (3) | 3 (0) | 3 (0) | 71 (3) |
Managerial career
Smith managed Morton briefly in 1972 and then managed Hamilton AcademicalHamilton Academical F.C.
Hamilton Academical Football Club, often known as Hamilton Academical, or Accies, are a Scottish football club from Hamilton in South Lanarkshire. They were established in 1874 from the school football team at Hamilton Academy. They remain the only professional club in British football to have...
for five seasons from 1972–73 to 1977–78. He then briefly managed Sharjah FC
Sharjah FC
Sharjah Sports Club is a United Arab Emirates professional football club. It is based in Sharjah city. The home stadium is Sharjah Stadium....
in the United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates, abbreviated as the UAE, or shortened to "the Emirates", is a state situated in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia on the Persian Gulf, bordering Oman, and Saudi Arabia, and sharing sea borders with Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Iran.The UAE is a...
in 1978.