LONDON (AFP) - Liverpool legend Tommy Smith, one of the key figures in the club's first golden era, died on Friday (April 12) at the age of 74.
Smith's no-nonsense performances at the heart of Liverpool's defence saw him nicknamed the 'Anfield Iron' during his 18-year spell on Merseyside.
Making 638 appearances for the Reds between 1960 and 1978, Smith won a host of medals as the club rose to prominence both domestically and in Europe.
Under the management of the great Bill Shankly, Smith helped Liverpool dominate for two decades.
Reflecting his tough style of play, Shankly once said of one of his favourite players: "Tommy Smith wasn't born, he was quarried".
Smith, who captained the club for three years, was one of the most influential members of the Liverpool team that won the FA Cup for the first time in 1965.
Twelve years later, with Bob Paisley at the helm, he would head a crucial goal as Liverpool won their maiden European Cup by defeating Borussia Moenchengladbach in the 1977 final in Rome.
In total, Liverpool-born Smith, who grew up in the shadow of Anfield before joining the club he supported as a boy, won the English title four times, the FA Cup twice, the European Cup once and the UEFA Cup twice.
Speaking to Liverpool's official website, Smith's daughter Janette Simpson said: "Dad died very peacefully in his sleep shortly after 4.30pm today.
"He had been growing increasingly frail and suffering from a variety of ailments over the last three months especially. We are obviously all devastated."
Smith left Liverpool for Swansea, managed by his old Reds team-mate John Toshack, in 1978, and helped them to promotion from the old Third Division.
He received the MBE for services to football and retired from playing in 1979.
A brief return to Anfield as youth coach preceded a career as an after-dinner speaker and newspaper columnist.
Smith suffered a heart attack in 2007 before being diagnosed with Alzheimers and dementia in 2014.
Smith's former Liverpool team-mate Phil Thompson told Sky Sports that his fellow defender was an 'icon'.
"I loved him from the Kop, because of his passion, commitment and never-say-die attitude," he said.
"He was an incredible figure who helped me out enormously. Liverpool Football Club owe this guy a debt of gratitude.
"To go on and play with him, rub shoulders with him, go into battles with him, he was iconic. He wanted and desired the points every week.
"Tommy was the epitome of what Bill Shankly demanded. He drove the team, he was incredible."
Former Liverpool player and manager Kenny Dalglish added: "He was a great advert for Liverpool Football Club, the way he conducted himself. His memories will be there forever."
Ray Clemence was one of the Liverpool goalkeepers who benefitted from Smith's defensive excellence.
"So desperately sorry to hear of the passing of Tommy Smith a real legend of the club. Honoured to play with him. Great captain and leader of men thoughts are with family and friends," Clemence said.
The Australian, who has scored once in six appearances for his country, is on a two-year loan at Scottish club Celtic from English Premier League champions Manchester City. Michel Sablon was the last FAS technical director, but the Belgian stepped down in December 2018, after being appointed in April 2015.
eReaders on Flipboard | Singapore, Solomon Islands, College
VIGO: Barcelona fell to their first La Liga defeat since November as the champions were beaten 2-0 at struggling Celta Vigo after making 11 changes but forward Ousmane Dembele suffered an injury
Makeshift Barca side beaten at Celta and lose Dembele to injury
China strips the Panda Cup from South Korea's victorious under-18 team after they infuriated hosts China with their impolite celebrations. South Korea of football trophy for 'indecent
China strips South Korea of football trophy for disrespecting
I want to use Kahoot! As a teacher. As a student
Kop-a-hoop, Football News & Top Stories - The Straits Times
For an area variance, the property owner must show that the restrictions unreasonably deny a permitted use of the owner's property. For a use variance, the property owner has a more difficult burden to demonstrate that unless granted a variance, he will have no viable use for his property. Neighbors Can Influence the City's Decision
De Blasio Wrestles with Homelessness -- Part Two: Setbacks
Man City still teenagers in adult world of Champions League - Guardiola for Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid in Champions League shocks last week. Guardiola admitted even he was taken aback
Man City still teenagers in adult world of Champions League
Boston jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first period and never looked back, scoring four power-play goals en route to a 7-2 victory Wednesday night at Enterprise Center. The win was Boston's seventh on the road this postseason, which is a new franchise record for a single playoff run. Bruins' power play sets rare feat in Game 3
NHL playoffs: Joe Pavelski scores first goal in Sharks Game 7 win
SINGAPORE - Tottenham Hotspur's comeback win over Ajax in the Champions League on Wednesday (May 8) was incredible, but it was no Miracle of Anfield from the day before. That was the consensus of
Champions League final 2019, Tottenham vs Liverpool: What
Chelsea passed another tough test in Europe after claiming a valuable away draw in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final tie against Eintracht Frankfurt. Luka Jovic gave the Bundesliga
Eintracht Frankfurt vs Chelsea - Europa League semi-final
Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino says he is in "shock" after being given an "unfair" two-match touchline ban for angrily confronting referee Mike Dean after his side's 2-1 defeat at Burnley. The
Chinese football aims to be top in Asia, Football News & Top
Man City's Vincent Kompany holds the EPL trophy as Sergio Aguero (left) looks on during an open-top bus parade in Manchester. Pic/AFP Manchester City celebrated their domestic treble with an open
Treble winners Man City enjoy parade - freepressjournal.in
Son Heung-min earned a penalty and then assisted on his team's second goal to help South Korea beat China 2-0 at the Asian Cup help South Korea beat China 2-0 in Group Asian Cup win 3-1
Son Heung-min helps South Korea beat China 2-0 at Asian Cup
With his hat trick versus Switzerland, he's asked some big questions of Messi and co.
Hat-tricks Archives - Messi vs Ronaldo
messivsronaldo.net/tag/hat-tricks/
The world's greatest footballers - but who's the best? The battle of Messi vs Ronaldo has the world gripped. In this website, they go head to head in terms of goals, stats, achievements, abilities and much more.
Lionel Messi Talks Ronaldo, World's Best Players, Juventus
Jun 10, 2019 · Joseph Chipolina's own-goal and a late effort from substitute Robbie Brady handed the Republic of Ireland a Euro 2020 qualifying victory over Gibraltar. On a night when 36,281 turned up at the
Own goal helps Ireland edge Gibraltar 2-0 | Reuters.com
0 comments:
Post a Comment