Bobby Smith

Who is Bobby Smith?

Robert William "Bobby" Smith is an English former footballer and football manager. He was capped by England at Schools and Youth level. He is the son of Conway Smith and grandson of Billy Smith, from whom he gets his middle name.

A reserve player for Manchester United, he moved on to Scunthorpe United in 1965, where he established himself in the first team. Moving on to Grimsby Town in 1967, he transferred to Brighton & Hove Albion the following year. In 1971 he signed with Hartlepool United via Chester City, before he finished his playing career with Bury in 1973.

Appointing as Bury's manager in 1973, he led the club to promotion out of the Football League Fourth Division in 1973–74, before he was sacked in November 1977. Quickly installed as Port Vale manager, he moved on to Swindon Town the following year, having failed to prevent the club from suffering relegation. Despite some promising league campaigns and cup runs he was sacked in October 1980. Spending time as a coach at Blackpool, he returned to management in 1985 with Newport County, as the club were in financial meltdown; he departed the following year.