RIP Steve Smith

[Wingman]

Always incredibly sad to hear of another Terrier departing this mortal coil, but when it’s one that was as devoted to the club as Steve Smith was, it becomes painful.

RIP. Once a Terrier, always a Terrier Legend.

[iangreaves]

Sad news

[dugnet]

RIP Steve - always seemed a thoroughly decent bloke as well as a honest footballer

[buxtonboys101]

RIP Stevie Smith. Great player for Town in every division of the Football League. Remember that promotion season between 1969-70 when Stivie was such an integral seemingly overlooked part. I reckon he was even better in the First Division in the first season. Was he not the division’s top scorer after the opening few games? Today they would have been talking about international honours.

He had to step in much later to rescue the club after Buxton was stupidly sacked. Did a solid job at first only to be replaced by the drunken Malcolm Macdonald.

God bless you Steve you were one of my heroes back in the day.

[towntastic]

RIP Steve, a great player and straight into the first eleven in heaven.

[yorik]

Sad news big part of 69-70 promotion side saw him play many times a great servent to the club. Surprised nothing on town official site about him

[Walton-on-the-Hill Terrier]

Have a read of this:

www.nonleaguematters.co.uk/forums/threads/steve-smith-huddersfield-town-halifax-town.12739/#post-262932

[htafcokay]

The Examiner have published an article on Steve:
www.examinerlive.co.uk/news/west-yorkshire-news/tributes-huddersfield-town-hero-gentleman-28824890

I also thought I'd share some comments I've seen on social media from some of his former teammates and contemporaries:

"So sorry to hear about the passing of an ex team mate of mine Steve Smith he was a tremendous servant for the club he loved HTFC we played together in the team that won the 2nd division by an incredible 7 points with then only 2 points for a win not only did we play together but my wife and I were good friends with Steven and his wife Judith who sadly passed away unexpectedly so it is with a sad heart that me and my wife send our deepest condolences to his family who will be saddened at losing such a lovely man and fantastic footballer R.I.P. Steve ⚽️🙏"
Geoff Hutt

"Oh no. Smithy was a tremendous player for the club and the nicest man you would ever meet. He was an inspiration when we were young pro's coming through the ranks, never spoke down to us just encouraged us. RIP Steve".
Wayne Goldthorpe

"So sad news, Steve was a great pro and a true a Terrier. It was an honour to be on the same team sheet of a great Professional. RIP. Smithy".
Alan Sweeney

"As with all who had the privilege to know and those lucky enough to have played with Steve he was a really great guy. I had the great honour to play is Steve’s testimonial against Leeds in a pre-season game that was fittingly played at the great old Leeds Rd ground! I still have the gift Steve gave to all who played in the match and will always remember Steve’s warm smile when l polish the silver cigar box! As with all the successful Ian Greaves team Steve upheld the highest standards both as a player and a role model to all who had the great honour to know him. I am aware the last few years have been difficult and l offer sincere condolences to all Steve’s family. RIP Steve".
Grahame McGifford

"So sad news . Steve was not only a great player , he was a great person and was always on hand to give advice to the younger players at Huddersfield . Condolences to Steve’s family . RIP Steve 🙏🏿"
Mick Reid

"Great man will miss you robbo".
Ian Robins

"R I p Steve sad news.
Daryl Brook

"Sad news. Sending love to Steve’s family from Jane and Paul garner ❤️"
Paul Garner

"RIP Steve Smith sad day !"
Steve Spriggs

"Rip, so sorry 😔"
Joey Jones

"Quite simply, Steve, was a wonderful human being. He played a massive part in making me the person I am today when, at 16, he convinced me to move from Glasgow to sign for Huddersfield. He looked after me & introduced me to the Club, Town & people I still love today. RIP 😢"
Steve Donald

"Really sad to hear this news about Steve. Steve signed me at 14 @officialbantams and gave me my apprenticeship with them at 16. Years later he came to work in the @htafcacademy for abit… great person and helped me alot. RIP Steve 🙏🏻💙🤍"
Tony Carss.

[mosher]

Nearly blubbing at them htafcokay mate.  

[Christ in Shades (art)]

Some fitting tributes from former players there.

[htafcokay]

The interview with Graham Cooper, published in the Leeds programme, contained a bit about Steve Smith as well. Cooper was talking about breaking his leg in a reserve team game at Leeds Road against Wigan:

"I was in the Infirmary, laid there with my kit on and Steve Smith was with me. Eventually, I asked him why he was hanging about and he said he needed my shirt!"

He also spoke about Smith's brief spell in charge:
"I found it hard when Mick left because Steve Smith took over and I played a bit under him, but I don’t think he ever wanted the job. He was a quiet man, where he perhaps needed to be more authoritative. But what a lovely man, a great personality, he just didn’t have that ruthless side that Mick had".

This quote didn't make the interview in the end, but perhaps it should have done:

"The likes of Steve Smith and Jimmy Robson, we were lucky to have those types of people around as they were good football people. Steve Smith was a great man and a great personality".

[bogart]

Another one gone. Memories if him in 60s/70s few and far between his type. RIP.

[Captainslapper]

I dont remember him as a player but do as a coach and a manager.
It's touching to read those quotes from lads who knew him. He was clearly a very nice guy who was much loved and respected.
Did have the honour of speaking to him once when I was 15 and he rang me up to invite me for a trial for the junior team.

Once a terrier always a terrier..RIP

[prepare]

Mar 15, 2024 18:13:50 GMT 1 Captainslapper said:

I dont remember him as a player but do as a coach and a manager.
It's touching to read those quotes from lads who knew him. He was clearly a very nice guy who was much loved and respected.
Did have the honour of speaking to him once when I was 15 and he rang me up to invite me for a trial for the junior team.

Once a terrier always a terrier..RIP

a top man and it was a honour to have known him rip Steve

[shadwelljim]

I went to Town for a supporter's v team knockabout event and Steve said to me at the end 'you've got a hell of a right foot,
I thought I was going to get a trial, but it was just a complement!
He was a quiet man and didn't seem to like the limelight, amazing he got the Manager's job twice. Obviously better at 1 to 1's than group talk RIP

[gowna]

If ever a player warranted a mural on a gable end down Leeds Rd, Steve Smith certainly did. RIP

[htafcokay]

Mar 15, 2024 22:32:48 GMT 1 gowna said:

If ever a player warranted a mural on a gable end down Leeds Rd, Steve Smith certainly did. RIP

That would be brilliant!

[belizian]

Mar 15, 2024 12:56:33 GMT 1 Walton-on-the-Hill Terrier said:

RIP Steve, I’ve seen him make more appearances for Town than any other player (Hogg will be getting close).

In my early years as a fan SS tended to get a lot of stick from the fans but from about 1968 onwards he became a key player in the team.

He wasn't the fastest I know but the amount of stick he got was ridiculous and totally undeserved. 
My main memories of him were on the left wing putting great crosses over.

[westislandterrier]

Very sad news once again that a HTAFC legend has passed away...

His appearances for HTAFC were before I came on board as a fan but his history and service to Town is immense and now eternally there for all of us who remain to see...

I fondly remember ma late buddy Stevie Ellis from Lochgilphead in Scotland (formerly of Brighouse) talking so highly of Stevie (Smith) on our trips down to Huddersfield and he was at the game in Middlesbrough where he scored that all important goal in 1970...

I see a nice tribute in The Huddersfield Examiner for Steve and his daughter Lisa has said a lovely short eulogy for him - I note his grandson is called Oliver and his granddaughter is called Isla which is how you describe The Whisky Isle where I stay - I wonder is there a connection or was he ever there on holiday...

But from faraway Scotland, deepest sympathy to his daughter Lisa, his grandchildren Oliver and Isla and his wider family circle and close friends as well...

R.I.P. Steve - And many thanks for the service that you gave to my beloved Huddersfield Town !

[crux]

Great piece on the website Lee 👏

www.htafc.com/news/2024/march/steve-smith---obituary/

[irverino]

Mar 16, 2024 11:58:11 GMT 1 crux said:

Great piece on the website Lee 👏

www.htafc.com/news/2024/march/steve-smith---obituary/

The testimonial programme on the htfc-heritage.com site is well worth a read.....Some really fitting tributes from some the games top names for Steve back in 1974.

[Walton-on-the-Hill Terrier]

Mar 16, 2024 12:39:14 GMT 1 irverino said:

Mar 16, 2024 11:58:11 GMT 1 crux said:

Great piece on the website Lee 👏

www.htafc.com/news/2024/march/steve-smith---obituary/

The testimonial programme on the htfc-heritage.com site is well worth a read.....Some really fitting tributes from some the games top names for Steve back in 1974.

Remember the game well. I’ve still got the programme.

[savilerowtownfan]

Remember Steve late 60’s early 70’s well. A player who in the promotion season would glide past players. Very stylish and effortless on his day. Another one so sadly lost to dementia. May Steve Rest in Peace.

[buxtonboys101]

Was the Steve Smith testimonial game the one Town won 2-0?

[Towner47]

Another great player manager and person goneSinxere sympathies to his family friends and to all of us who saw him play and manaage
R.I.P Steve

[araucaria]

One of our best players. Too many good memories of him to list.

The fuss at the weekend about the Luton guy becoming their first to score for them in all four divisions made me smile. Steve is one of two that have done that for Town. (The other is pretty obvious).

[htafcokay]

Well done to the club for having the minute's applause before the game today. Magnificent gesture.

[Bassingham Terrier]

Mar 16, 2024 14:19:57 GMT 1 buxtonboys101 said:

Was the Steve Smith testimonial game the one Town won 2-0?

No.
I've covered it amongst this lot...

huddersfieldtowncollection.wordpress.com/benefits-programmes-booklets/

[themanfromatlantis]

Apr 6, 2024 19:57:03 GMT 1 htafcokay said:

Well done to the club for having the minute's applause before the game today. Magnificent gesture.

Plenty of Millwall supporters clapping as well…

It was a good tribute.

[irverino]

Apr 6, 2024 19:57:03 GMT 1 htafcokay said:

Well done to the club for having the minute's applause before the game today. Magnificent gesture.

Bloody missed it got to seat as we were kicking off, Steve was a lovely guy & still don't know why he selected me for Town boys years ago......Loved Town to bits, nearly as much as my my Uncle Harry.