They Weren’t Pansies in the 1950s and 1960s
Bobby Smith was one of those real hard bustling centre-forwards of the 1950s and 1960s. I saw him play many times for Spurs at the time, and when he was on song he was very good, striking fear into opponents. But he was skillful too and in addition to scoring a lot of goals, he made many for those players around him. Sadly he has died at the age of 77.
This extract from the obituary in The Times today, sums up Smith’s style and attitude.
His bustling style came in for particular treatment from foreign players in European matches such as Spurs’ 5-1 win in the 1963 Uefa Cup Final against Athletico Madrid.
Smith recalled: “Bill Nick told me that their centre half would come up and hit me hard the first time. And he did. The second time he tried it, I elbowed him in the gut. The ref came up to me and said ‘Well done!’ ”
The tale typified Smith’s willingness to take punishment for the team from opposing centre halfs, which made him so popular with the fans and team-mates. His battles with players such as Leeds’s Jack Charlton freed up space for players such as Jimmy Greaves and created marvellous theatre for the fans as he and his marker traded blows, at varying degrees of legality, usually mixed in with plenty of banter and all tolerated by the referee who would often volunteer a few humorous remarks of his own.
But he was not alone in taking and giving punishment. Nat Lofthouse, Stan Mortensen and others could be equally abrasive in those days, when referees were far less strict and goalkeepers were fair game for a hard shoulder charge.
The Anonymous Widower 
Really good tribute. Bobby would approve I’m sure.
McNamaras Band
http://mcnamarasband.wordpress.com
Comment by mac | September 20, 2010 |
If there is anyone who thinks he’s Bobby Smith these days, it’s Connor Wickham, who puts himself about very aggressively with lots of skill. He should have had one on Saturday, by just chasing round and through the Cardiff centre-backs. And he’s only 17!
Remember that Bobby Smith too, was involved in the famous Spurs match away at Slovan Bratislava, where he played much of the game in defence, as they defended in depth. He may even have hit the post in a solitary attack.
Comment by AnonW | September 20, 2010 |