Alan Smith

wivelgull · Post by **wivelgull** » 06 Sep 2016, 08:26

When one speaks of 'Torquay United greats' it is of a pantheon in which Alan Smith would have an honourable place. He was great in the sense that, above all, he was a player who possessed footballing abilities which have not really be seen at Plainmoor since 1972 (with one or two honourable exceptions, such as Lors). It is when one thinks of a player of Alan Smith's quality that one despairs at the depths into which TUFC has sunk since those halcyon days of 1963-72. Stubbs, Northcott, John Smith, Adlington, Bettany, Bond, Rudge, Benson....the list is endless, or so it seemed at the time. That list clearly ended with our relegation in 1972 and has never been added to since (with one or two exceptions). To remember the quality of football that was served up in those days (by, among others, Alan Smith) is to remember that TUFC does have a glorious history and Alan Smith is one of those outstanding players who contributed to its writing.

TUST in Us · Post by **TUST in Us** » 06 Sep 2016, 08:41

Agree Wivel-a great pro and one of the all time greats.I worked with him after he retired from football due to an injury-he was a thoroughly decent bloke and very modest

Gullscorer · Post by **Gullscorer** » 06 Sep 2016, 11:29

Alan Smith (1939 - 2016). A great guy and undoubtedly one of Torquay United's great players.
http://www.torquayunited.com/news/artic ... 92712.aspx

S4fedr1ve · Post by **S4fedr1ve** » 06 Sep 2016, 12:13

Sad news. I can't quite remember him as I started watching as a 5 year old in 1968. But certainly remember as a kid great names as Andy Donnelly,mal Lucas,Bill Kitchener,Tommy Mitchinson,tony Scott , Alan Welch and of course Robin Stubbs followed by John Rudge amongst many others. We don't seem to have got to the same level since although some good times amongst the dross.

And at the moment yes it is a struggle but they are still my beloved Torquay United now as much as they were then. We can dream for better days again.

My thoughts are with Alan Smiths family.

Mike

Ausgull · Post by **Ausgull** » 06 Sep 2016, 13:02

Agree with wivelgull,

I remember Alan Smith along with all the other great players from that era (Stubbs, Northcott, John Smith, Adlington, Bettany, Bond, Rudge, Benson.) and not forgetting Ernie Pym from the early years when I started supporting Torquay United.
Oh to have the quality of some those players in the squad today.

Tust Member

tomogull · Post by **tomogull** » 06 Sep 2016, 16:42

Great post, Wivel. Sad news that Alan Smith has passed away. Spot on that he was one of several great players who played for the club in the late sixties/early seventies. It's a failing sometimes to look back through rose-tinted glasses. "Ah - those were the days" attitude. But this is not the case. The players you mention were truly good players and loyal club members as well. Looking on the official site, Alan Smith played over 300 games for United. How many of our present squad will play anything like 300 games for us ? This is one thing I very much dislike about football nowadays. We virtually have a new team every season. Oh for a little bit of permanancy !

Post by **Gulliball** » 06 Sep 2016, 17:28

Currently have five players at 50 or above in all comps:

Kevin Nicholson (Debut: 12/08/2007 vs Grays Athletic) - 346
Damon Lathrope (Debut: 11/08/2010 vs Reading) - 127
Courtney Richards (Debut: 09/08/2014 vs Gateshead) - 91
Luke Young (Debut: 09/08/2014 vs Gateshead) - 60
Lathaniel Rowe-Turner (Debut: 19/02/2010 vs Rotherham) - 50

torq2u · Post by **torq2u** » 06 Sep 2016, 21:37

I saw him play but alas did not fully appreciate the part he has played in Torquays history. However, I had the honour of chatting with him over lunch with Robin Stubbs at the anniversary of the Spurs cuptie (see pic).

A lovely man.

Plainmoor78 · Post by **Plainmoor78** » 07 Sep 2016, 22:48

tomogull wrote:Great post, Wivel. Sad news that Alan Smith has passed away. Spot on that he was one of several great players who played for the club in the late sixties/early seventies. It's a failing sometimes to look back through rose-tinted glasses. "Ah - those were the days" attitude. But this is not the case. The players you mention were truly good players and loyal club members as well. Looking on the official site, Alan Smith played over 300 games for United. How many of our present squad will play anything like 300 games for us ? This is one thing I very much dislike about football nowadays. We virtually have a new team every season. Oh for a little bit of permanancy !

I think you are being a little unfair on modern day players. The maximum wage wasn't abolished until 1961 and throughout the 60s and 70s players still didn't know their true worth. Even as late as the 80s clubs at a similar level still paid roughy equivalent wages. For example Trevor Brooking of yo-yo club West Ham United turned down a move to serial championship winners Liverpool because he thought the wage on offer didn't justify uprooting his family. Anyhow clubs at our level do not offer long term contracts and so players will naturally look around for the best deal. Remember non-league and lower-league players do not earn vast fortunes, they still have to consider life after their relatively short careers are over, so it is their responsibility to their families to try and acheive the best deal possible. Anyway if someone offered to pay you more to come and work for them would you turn them down?

brucie · Post by **brucie** » 08 Sep 2016, 09:19

Wacker Smith was an excellent player and sad to hear of his passing.

I am interested to hear of the poster who started watching in 1968 - unfortunately he missed the really golden era around five years earlier. Reg Wyatt, Billy Kitchener, John Bond, John Benson, Robin Stubbs - these were legends and when you look at our team now its just a crying shame really. Of course it hasn't always been that . Through the years we have had our share of excellent players who cannot be mentioned in the same breath as some of the rubbish that turn out now.

Micky Cave, Tommy Mitchinson, Jimmy Dunne, Bruce Rioch, Steve Bould, Justin Fashanu, Mark Loram, the list is endless. We were spoilt in those days and for those younger supporters there is no way that it is possible to appreciate the chasm in class between the afore mentioned and the current crop.

There is in fact - no comparison.

wivelgull · Post by **wivelgull** » 08 Sep 2016, 10:10

I totally agree with brucie.

samuel · Post by **samuel** » 08 Sep 2016, 11:00

Brucie, You missed out Colin Bettany from that 1963 list. How could you.

Lloyder5 · Post by **Lloyder5** » 08 Sep 2016, 11:27

I made my Plainmoor debut in the early seventies, so don't recall the golden age. I would say that Colin Anderson, Paul Holmes, Colin Lee, Mike Mahoney, Wes Saunders, Matt Elliott, Alex Russell, Jason Fowler and David Graham to name a few could be added to a list of quality players.

Gullscorer · Post by **Gullscorer** » 08 Sep 2016, 21:17

I can just about remember going to my first match at Plainmoor with my father, watching Larry Baxter and Ernie Pym zoom down the wings and send accurate crosses in for the likes of Tommy Northcott to head home. Proper wingers in those days, who would leave today's young modern footballers standing. Those talents extended throughout the team, and were enhanced immeasurably with the addition of Robin Stubbs. The current crop of footballers would find it difficult to match those players for fitness, speed, agility, ball control, and awareness of the game around them. Happy days..

wivelgull · Post by **wivelgull** » 09 Sep 2016, 06:59

Mr. Gullscorer is right.

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Alan Smith

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