Jack Smith
Personal information
Full name John Clayton Smith
Date of birth (1910-09-15)15 September 1910
Place of birth Stocksbridge, West Riding of Yorkshire, England
Date of death 1986 (aged 75–76)
Height 5 ft 10+1⁄2 in (1.79 m)[1]
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1928–1929 Bolsterstone
1929–1930 Worksop Town
1930–1949 Sheffield United 347 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

John Clayton Smith (15 September 1910 – 1986) was a footballer who played 347 league matches for Sheffield United between 1931 and 1949 as a goalkeeper.

He began by playing outfield for Bolsterstone FC, and first played in goal when replacing an injured team-mate. After an excellent performance, he remained as goalkeeper for the rest of the season, attracting the interest of both Sheffield clubs.[2] He signed amateur forms with Sheffield Wednesday who loaned him to Worksop Town,[2] but it was United who signed him as a professional after a couple of trial games in the Central League. Jack became one of the Blades most popular players, always remembered for his cheerful grin. Not for nothing he was nicknamed Smiler.

Between December 1935 and October 1947, he made 203 consecutive league appearances for United.[2] Smith played for Sheffield United for 19 years, and in the final match of the 1948–49 season – a County Cup match against Barnsley – he was chaired from the field.

This was to have been his last appearance for the Blades, but he was forced out of retirement the following season for two matches due to an injury crisis.[3] His final game was away at Grimsby Town in the Second Division on 24 September 1949, aged 39.[4]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[4][5]
Club Season League FA Cup Other[lower-alpha 1] Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Sheffield United 1930–31 First Division 7 0 0 0 1 0 8 0
1931–32 First Division 21 0 2 0 0 0 23 0
1932–33 First Division 32 0 0 0 0 0 32 0
1933–34 First Division 31 0 1 0 0 0 32 0
1934–35 Second Division 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
1935–36 Second Division 35 0 8 0 2 0 45 0
1936–37 Second Division 42 0 3 0 2 0 47 0
1937–38 Second Division 42 0 3 0 1 0 46 0
1938–39 Second Division 42 0 4 0 2 0 48 0
1945–46 — 3 0 — 3 0
1946–47 First Division 42 0 4 0 — 46 0
1947–48 First Division 27 0 1 0 0 0 28 0
1948–49 First Division 23 0 2 0 1 0 26 0
1949–50 Second Division 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
Career total 347 0 31 0 9 0 387 0

Baseball

Smith also played baseball for Sheffield Dons in their inaugural season in the semi-professional Yorkshire Baseball League, 1936. He competed successfully with several American and Canadian players.[6] Smith played a number of positions but was most accomplished as keeper of first base. Smith also represented Yorkshire at baseball.[7]

References

  1. ↑ "Sheffield United. Likeliest side for promotion in Division II". Sunday Dispatch Football Guide. London. 23 August 1936. p. vii – via Newspapers.com.
  2. 1 2 3 Armstrong & Garrett (2006). Sheffield United FC: the Biography. The Hallamshire Press. pp. 180–181. ISBN 1-874718-65-2.
  3. ↑ Matthews, Clarebrough & Kirkham (2003). The Official Encyclopaedia of Sheffield United. Britespot Publishing. p. 232. ISBN 1-904103-19-7.
  4. 1 2 Jack Smith at the English National Football Archive (subscription required)
  5. ↑ Clarebrough & Kirkham (2012). Sheffield United: the Complete Record. Derby Books Publishing. ISBN 978-1-78091-019-2.
  6. ↑ 'Jack Smith Turns Out for the Dons', Sheffield Independent, 15 June 1936, p.8 - retrieved via British Newspaper Archive.
  7. ↑ 'Dons at Home in NBA Cup', Star Green 'Un, 25 July 1936, p.7 - retrieved via British Newspaper Archive.
  • Jack Smith at Post War English & Scottish Football League A–Z Player's Database
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