Smart Tommy Image 7 Aston Villa 1930

Description

Blackheath, Worcestershire, born right back Tommy Smart began his junior career with Blackheath Town in 1914 before the First World War, being enlisted with the South Staffordshire Regiment in 1915, he also served with The Field Artillery, where he also played football. He joined Halesowen Town when the War ended, moving on to Aston Villa in January 1920 for a £300 transfer fee and making his Football League debut the following month against Everton.

He quickly became a regular in the Aston Villa defence, playing in their victorious 1920 FA Cup Final win over Huddersfield Town (he also appeared in their 1924 Cup Final defeat to Newcastle), and by April 1921 he had won his first England cap in a 3-0 defeat to Scotland at Hampden Park in Glasgow. He won 3 further caps in 1924 and 1925, and then waited 4 years for his final cap in a 6-0 demolition of Wales at Stamford Bridge in December 1929. He also made one appearance for The Football League in November 1928 in a 2-1 victory over The Scottish League.

After 14 seasons and having played his last game for Villa in March 1933, he retired in 1934 after scoring 8 goals, all penalties, in 451  appearances for Aston Villa and later played for non league Brierley Hill Alliance.

NB in the photograph Smart is shown with Aston Villa team mates Fred Biddlestone, Dickie York and Reg Chester.