Bobby Smith, RIP

[Everest]

For those old enough to remember him in the mid-60's

From the Spurs website...

It is with great regret that we announce the death of Bobby Smith, our legendary centre-forward from our great Double-winning side of 1960-61.

Bobby died at an Enfield hospital yesterday evening (Saturday, September 18) following a short illness. He was 77.

Born at Lingdale, North Yorkshire, Bobby started out as an amateur with Chelsea in 1948 and turned full professional two years later. He made his senior debut at the age of 17 and moved to Spurs in December, 1955.

A brave and powerful striker with a good deal of skill, he immediately helped us move away from the relegation zone and would go on to play a major role in the most glorious years in our history.

He was the leading goalscorer in our ‘Double' side with 33 League and Cup goals and scored in both our FA Cup Final triumphs of 1961 and 1962. He played a crucial role in our victorious European Cup Winners' Cup campaign of 1963.

Bobby was also an England international, recording an impressive 13 goals in 15 appearances for his country.

After 208 goals in 317 senior games for Spurs, he transferred to Brighton and Hove Albion in May, 1964.

We extend our sincere condolences to the family of Bobby Smith at this very sad time.

 

[Giraffe]

Sad times, what was his record like for us?

 

[Smithy]

Scored 19 goals in 31 games for the Albion.

RIP.

 

[Thunder Bolt]

RIP Bobby Smith.

He came on the pitch before the game when we played Spurs in the 3rd round FA Cup 04/05.

 

[joker]

R.I.P. Bobby, one of the first players I ever saw at the Albion

 

[Everest]

Probably one of the greatest signings made by the Albion, definitely at the time it was.
A lot of interest was generated due to him.

 

[Horton's halftime iceberg]

Lots of people I have spoken to said this was like, Alan Shearer retiring from England then sigining for us.

Was surely a massive part of Brighton and Hove Albions journey as a football club, sad to hear.

His Wiki page has him aged at 66 not 77.

 

[BobbySmith]

RIP - My hero gone, i am gutted.

 

[Everest]

His Wiki page has him aged at 66 not 77.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bobby_Smith_(footballer_born_1933)

 

[Barrow Boy]

RIP Bobby,
I think it was half term back in 1964 when he signed for the Albion and the manager, Archie Macaulay, opened up the West stand for all us kids and Bobby Smith came out and signed autographs/posed for photographs with us. Couldn't believe he had played for England the year before and here he was playing for the Albion in the 4th Div, but was still a class act and his goals helped us gain promotion that season.

 

[The Large One]

His playing days were well before my time, but I met him at one of the Albion race days a few years ago.

Charming fellow.

RIP

 

[bhaexpress]

Sad day, RIP, one of Brighton's best players.

 

[The Oldman]

One of the greatest crowd pullers the Albion has ever had and gave me one of the best seasons of watching Albion that I can recall. Yes, we were in the bottom division but the football we played when Bobby first joined us was so enjoyable. He was a colussus of a man, an old fashioned centre forward who struck fear into every opposing goalkeeper.
It is alleged that Archie Macauley got him to sign for us by paying off Smith's gambling debts. Alas his weight and lack of fitness in the end told but he gave Brighton some wonderful times.
RIP Bobby

 

[Daffy Duck]

It's often an over-used phrase, but he really was a true legend.

Loved watching him turn out in the blue & white and he was just about the most famous player we'd ever signed up until then. Really got so much respect from us fans for dropping down to the old 4th division and we went up that season as champions with a record number of points (I think) and that was when you only got 2 points for win.

RIP Bobby, you were one of my heroes.

 

[Sir Norman Gull]

Even out of condition Bobby was class for us in Div 4 and I feel privileged to have seen him play at the Goldstone and help us to promotion.

 

[Steve Foster]

A very sad day. He played for the Albion before my time, however my father became a Brighton fan because of Bobby Smith & the big coup that the Albion secured an England international. Because of you Bobby, I and my son are Albion supporters. You will be sorely missed by everyone associated with the club.

 

[Jam The Man]

RIP to a great

As usual, NOTHING on the BBC about it..

 

[UaeGull]

A sad day indeed! I remember changing schools from a boarding school in Kent to a Secondary in Brighton so I could get to the games because we'd signed him! First game against Barrow drew 20k+, and the Barrow team flew down (unheard of in those days) on the cut they would get from the gate! It was the same home and away, he was a real crowd puller on his own. He also produced a soft-back book "The Bobby Smith Book" that's still somewhere in my loft with some great pics of his Tottenham, England and goals for the Albion! RIP Bobby!

 

[southwickseagull]

One of the finest players we ever had at the Goldstone. Absolute class, a real old fashioned centre forward who was a class above anything we had at the time. A real coup signing for the manager Archie Macauley. I was just a kid when he came here, but the excitement he generated has never been beaten. His goals ratio wont ever be surpassed in my opinion. Another great who wont get to see the Amex. RIP Bobby.

 

[Gwylan]

Sad news - he was just before my time but I vaguely remember the impact he had. I certainly remember my father being enthused about his signing.

RIP indeed