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.
Barcelona and Real Madrid played to a tense, spirited draw in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semifinal, with younger talents rising to the occasion in place of established stars and the
Barca boss Valverde sweating over injured stars - SA Breaking
David de Gea has made three errors leading to goals in his last four games in all competitions for Manchester United, as many as in his previous 123 matches for the club As Manchester United lined
Man Utd: David de Gea ridiculed for blaming wind for howler v
Brian Jensen knows all about a battle to be Burnley's number one. The great Dane always had to fight for the gloves during his 10 years at Turf Moor, more often than not coming out on top. Danny
Goalkeepers
Lyon's Anthony Lopes makes a save from Barcelona's Lionel Messi. Emmanuel Foudrot, Reuters LYON, France - Barcelona were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw at Olympique Lyonnais in their Champions League last-16 first leg on Tuesday as both sides remained unbeaten in this season's competition.
Lyon vs Barcelona: Wasteful Barcelona held to goalless draw
Morata double earns Spain scrappy win (1:05) Spain produced a second lacklustre performance in the space of four days in an unimpressive 0-2 win in Malta.
Euro2020: Morata's Brace Lift Spain Above Malta - Red Cheetah
For more details kindly check website
Football: Albirex Niigata earn point in 0-0 draw with Brunei DPMM, but continue goal-less run SINGAPORE - Albirex Niigata, of all Singapore Premier League teams, should know about the importance of momentum.
Football: 'Invincibles' season in Singapore Premier League
sports-life-news.com/soccer/football-invincibles-season-in-singapore-premier-league-unlikely-says-brunei-dpmm-coach/
Football: Home United engage youths in MacPherson through photography and sport ; Football: Albirex Niigata earn point in 0-0 draw with Brunei DPMM, but continue goal-less run ; Leeds star says fans have to 'sing louder' as Sky Sports mute chants ; Football: Ambitious Hougang United show title promise, but face tough start in Tampines Rovers
V-Varen Nagasaki v Niigata "liveStream"(live) | Aarhus vs
It's been said that, on average, 30% of a language is idiom and expressions. Dutch is actually 98.7%. Well maybe not that high, but be prepared for utter confusion when cows, monkeys, windmills and weather barge into your everyday casual conversations. Funny Dutch expressions. 1. (Nu komt de aap uit de mouw)
10 Dutch Words You Seriously Need to Know For Living in the
After a seven-month wait, the Lions will play at the National Stadium again, and also welcome a new ringmaster. The Straits Times understands that the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) will unveil Tatsuma Yoshida as the new national coach this week, after announcing yesterday two international friendlies against Solomon Islands on June 8 and Myanmar on June 11.
Singapore national football team - Wikipedia
Southampton secured their Premier League status for another year after a thrilling 3-3 home draw with Bournemouth on Saturday as Cardiff City slumped to a 1-0 defeat at Fulham. The draw put
Southampton stay up after thrilling 3 3 draw with Bournemouth
Juventus beat Fiorentina 2-1 to win the title. (Source: AP) Juventus overcame their European blues when they fought back to beat Fiorentina 2-1 at home on Saturday and claim the Serie A title for a remarkable eighth season in a row.
Juventus clinch eighth Serie A title in a row - gulfnews.com
National sports agency Sport Singapore (SportSG) announced on Sunday that they have penned a three-year partnership with Bayern Munich.. As a result of this tie-up, both the parties involved will
Bayern Munich sign partnership with Sport Singapore
Manchester United's Ander Herrera and Paul Pogba headed first-half goals to claim a 2-0 win that dumped FA Cup holders Chelsea out of the competition and secured a place in the quarter-finals in an intense tie at Stamford Bridge on Monday. Spaniard Herrera finished off a fine move with a precise
United dump holders Chelsea out of Cup to pile pressure on
0 comments:
Post a Comment