Smith Jack Image 1 Chelsea 1939

Description

Merthyr Tydfil, Wales born full back Jack Smith began his football career at Aberdare & Aberaman in 1927 and after trials with West Bromwich Albion joined Merthyr Town in March 1930 in their final season in the Football League, making his debut and only appearance for Merthyr in a defeat at Torquay United in April 1930, from where he joined Wolverhampton Wanderers in May 1930, playing 31 matches for Wolves over the next four seasons including 9 matches as they won the Second Division Championship in 1932.

He subsequently joined Bristol Rovers in April 1934 but only made 4 appearances before signing for Swindon Town in May 1935, where he made 129 appearances for The Robins and was ever present for two seasons before coming to the attention of Chelsea, who paid £4,000 for his services in March 1938. However he had made 52 appearances for The Pensioners when the Second World War’s outbreak put a halt to his career, and during the war he played for West Bromwich Albion as a guest while stationed in the Midlands while serving as a Flight-Sergeant in the RAF. While in service he suffered a career ending injury when a bus ran over his foot and he was officially released by Chelsea in June 1945.

In July 1948, he became West Bromwich Albion’s first full-time manager, leading them to the Second Division Championship in his first season in charge, and he kept them in the top flight until his departure in April 1952, and was out of work until June when he took over as manager of Reading, remaining at Elm Park until October 1955. He subsequently managed Hyde United from 1957 to 1958.