Gordon Smith (footballer, born July 1954)


Gordon Melville Smith was a Scottish professional footballer who played as a full back.

Career

Born in Partick, he played for the amateur clubs Rangers B.C. and Glasgow United before turning professional with St Johnstone, at which time he was a forward before switching to a defensive role. He also played in England for Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur and Wolverhampton Wanderers, and in the United States for Pittsburgh Spirit. While at Aston Villa, Smith helped them win the 1976–77 Football League Cup, in the final of which he featured as a substitute in the second and decisive replay.
While with St Johnstone he gained four Scottish under-23 caps.

Personal life and death

After his playing career, Smith ran a business which installed the special perimeter hoardings used in UEFA Champions League stadia.
He died on 5 April 2014 from natural causes. His grandfather Willie Salisbury was also a footballer, primarily for Partick Thistle.