No Thanks: Dave Smith

Most Lincoln fans of a certain vintage will tell you that Dave Smith was one of the all-time greats. Only Tony Emery and Grant Brown played more times for the club and, had it not been for Willie Bell, Smith might have surpassed emery and given Grant a few more to chase before reaching the summit.

Dave was a left-sided wide man, starting out as the old style ‘outside left’ before becoming perhaps the finest left winger the club has ever seen. His early career indicated his promise, he had been on the books of Manchester United for a short time and won a place in the England Schools squad. He appeared for his country in a 4-1 victory against Northern Ireland in May 1963. Sadly, he suffered badly torn ankle ligaments that put him out of action for six months and cost him the chance of any further caps. He signed for his home-town club Middlesbrough and spent four seasons at Ayresome Park, but found his first team chances limited.

He made his debut against Chelsea in the FA Cup, but couldn’t force himself into the reckoning and eventually decided to join City in the summer of 1968. Manager Ron Gray, born in North Shields himself, had got wind he might be able to add the player to his squad and pounced. Little did he know he was bringing a player to the side who would remain for a decade and become one of the club’s all-time legends. He had a decent summer did Mr Gray, he also signed a full back from Grimsby called Taylor. The two went on to make their debut on the same day, one scoring and the other providing a goal as Notts County were thrashed 5-0. After the dismal 1960’s it was the start of a turnaround, albeit a long-winded one. City finished eighth that season, the new left-sided player scoring nine goals, the first of which came at Sincil Bank as Grimsby were beaten 3-0.

Smith was the first of the famous 1975/76 team to take his place in the side, Taylor obviously moved into the manager’s office and his left-sided player slowly had a side built around him. In that Championship winning year, Smith missed only one game and scored the memorable 100th League goal of the season in the 3-0 win at Stockport County.

Willie Bell has a lot to answer for, more than anybody reading this under the age of 40 will know, and in the summer of 1978 it was him who surprisingly released the Imps stalwart. Given that Bell spent most of that summer setting himself up as some sort of religious pastor in the USA before resigning in October, it is a surprise he found time to let the City legend go. sadly, he did. Smith had a testimonial game against Watford at Sincil Bank early the following season, finishing his career with a couple of years at Rotherham United.