Tommy Smith Football legion passed away
Fri Apr 12, 2019 8:30 pm
Tommy Smith a true football legion passed away today, that dreadful affliction: dementia
god rest in piece on of football's greats
god rest in piece on of football's greats
Re: Tommy Smith Football legion passed away
Sat Apr 13, 2019 1:57 am
R.I.P Liverpool legend Tommy Smith
Re: Tommy Smith Football legion passed away
Sat Apr 13, 2019 9:29 am
Liverpool legend and former Swansea City star Tommy Smith passes away aged 74 -
Former Liverpool captain and Swansea City defender Tommy Smith has passed away at the age of 74.
Affectionately known as the 'Anfield Iron', Smith had been battling dementia and had been suffering from ill health after being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in October 2014.
The tough-tackling defender made 638 appearances for boyhood club Liverpool, during a glittering period of success under legendary bosses Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley.
Known as one of Merseyside's most influential players, Smith helped guide the Reds to four league titles and two FA Cups.
He also scored the winner for his side against Borussia Mochengladbach in the final of the European Cup in 1977.
Smith left Liverpool the following season to join John Toshack at Swansea, where he scored twice in 43 appearances to help them clinch promotion from the old third division.
That promotion would be an important step on the club's magical road to the very top table of English football under Toshack, although Smith would spend just one season at the Vetch Field before retiring.
Read More
Swansea City news
Nevertheless, he still made his mark in South Wales and became a big favourite on the terraces, writing himself into Vetch Field folklore after launching a bone-crunching challenge on Tottenham's Argentinian World Cup winner Ossie Ardiles in a second round League Cup tie.
That game would end 2-2, with Swansea going on to record a famous 3-1 win over their illustrious opponents in the replay at White Hart Lane - a game that's still held up as one of the club's finest ever victories and even features in the Swansea City Song.
Smith would later go on to enjoy a brief spell as a youth coach at Liverpool, before becoming a columnist with the Liverpool Echo for 35 years.
Confirming his death, his daughter Janette Simpson told the newspaper : "Dad died very peacefully in his sleep shortly after 4.30pm today at Green Heyes Nursing home in Park Road, Waterloo, Crosby.
“I was on my way to see him when he passed a couple of minutes before I arrived.
Smith played a big part in Swansea's promotion from the third division in the 1978-79 season (Image: Hulton Archive)
“Dad was only in here since the end of January and prior to that had been living in a care and sheltered accommodation complex for three years in Maghull.
“He had been growing increasingly frail and suffering from a variety of ailments over the last three months especially.
“We are obviously all devastated."
Everton and Wales legend Neville Southall was just one of many from the footballing family to pay tribute to Smith, tweeting: "Sad news. Terrific player. Never gave an inch. Respect."
Swansea also tweeted the following message: "We're deeply saddened by the passing of Tommy Smith, aged 74.
"The thoughts of everyone at Swansea City Football Club are with his family and friends."
Tommy is survived by Janette, son Darren, and grandchildren Matthew, William, Jessica and Imogen.
Former Liverpool captain and Swansea City defender Tommy Smith has passed away at the age of 74.
Affectionately known as the 'Anfield Iron', Smith had been battling dementia and had been suffering from ill health after being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in October 2014.
The tough-tackling defender made 638 appearances for boyhood club Liverpool, during a glittering period of success under legendary bosses Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley.
Known as one of Merseyside's most influential players, Smith helped guide the Reds to four league titles and two FA Cups.
He also scored the winner for his side against Borussia Mochengladbach in the final of the European Cup in 1977.
Smith left Liverpool the following season to join John Toshack at Swansea, where he scored twice in 43 appearances to help them clinch promotion from the old third division.
That promotion would be an important step on the club's magical road to the very top table of English football under Toshack, although Smith would spend just one season at the Vetch Field before retiring.
Read More
Swansea City news
Nevertheless, he still made his mark in South Wales and became a big favourite on the terraces, writing himself into Vetch Field folklore after launching a bone-crunching challenge on Tottenham's Argentinian World Cup winner Ossie Ardiles in a second round League Cup tie.
That game would end 2-2, with Swansea going on to record a famous 3-1 win over their illustrious opponents in the replay at White Hart Lane - a game that's still held up as one of the club's finest ever victories and even features in the Swansea City Song.
Smith would later go on to enjoy a brief spell as a youth coach at Liverpool, before becoming a columnist with the Liverpool Echo for 35 years.
Confirming his death, his daughter Janette Simpson told the newspaper : "Dad died very peacefully in his sleep shortly after 4.30pm today at Green Heyes Nursing home in Park Road, Waterloo, Crosby.
“I was on my way to see him when he passed a couple of minutes before I arrived.
Smith played a big part in Swansea's promotion from the third division in the 1978-79 season (Image: Hulton Archive)
“Dad was only in here since the end of January and prior to that had been living in a care and sheltered accommodation complex for three years in Maghull.
“He had been growing increasingly frail and suffering from a variety of ailments over the last three months especially.
“We are obviously all devastated."
Everton and Wales legend Neville Southall was just one of many from the footballing family to pay tribute to Smith, tweeting: "Sad news. Terrific player. Never gave an inch. Respect."
Swansea also tweeted the following message: "We're deeply saddened by the passing of Tommy Smith, aged 74.
"The thoughts of everyone at Swansea City Football Club are with his family and friends."
Tommy is survived by Janette, son Darren, and grandchildren Matthew, William, Jessica and Imogen.
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Re: Tommy Smith Football legion passed away
Sat Apr 13, 2019 9:51 am
Rip Tommy thoughts for his family terrible way to go.
As for legend, at Liverpool yes he was but to my mind having watched him alot in the 70,s he will be up there with Bremner,Hunter,Jack charlton and chopper Harris as one of the dirtiest bar stewards to ever play the game, all that aside godbless his family.
As for legend, at Liverpool yes he was but to my mind having watched him alot in the 70,s he will be up there with Bremner,Hunter,Jack charlton and chopper Harris as one of the dirtiest bar stewards to ever play the game, all that aside godbless his family.
Re: Tommy Smith Football legion passed away
Sat Apr 13, 2019 10:17 am
Good player and a hard man. I think he would absolutely terrify some of the modern generation snowflakes. They would'nt need to throw themselves to the ground playing against him. They would hit the turf in a more realistic way, and would not want to get to close to him for the rest of the game.
Re: Tommy Smith Football legion passed away
Sat Apr 13, 2019 10:43 am
The word legend is very much overused, but he was a Liverpool legend and a fine, hard player. Great defender. 