Reggie Smith Player Profile

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Personal

  • Full Name: James Christopher Reginald Smith
  • Born: January 20th, 1912 (Battersea)
  • Died: January 6th, 2004 (Stevenage)
  • Height: 5' 10

Career

  • Position: Outside Left
  • Signed: March 0th, 1946
  • First Manager: George Anderson
  • Dundee Career Totals:
    70 first team competitive appearances
    7 first team competitive goals
  • Also Played For: Hitchin Town, Millwall Athletic


Dundee Career Summary

Competitive Friendlies Other (War)
1944-45 - - - -21 2
1945-46 - - - -17 2
1946-47 35 4 1- - -
1947-48 23 2 - - - -
1948-49 12 1 - - - -
TOTAL 70 7 1-38 4

NOTES:
Other Cups may include: Anglo-Scottish Cup, Challenge Cup, Cup Winners' Cup, Drybrough Cup, International Soccer League, League Cup, Summer Cup, Texaco Cup.


Biography

Reggie had played for Millwall in the immediate pre-war years and on and off throughout the war as he served in the RAF and he was capped twice for England in his days with the 'Lions' before war broke out. On his debut for his country in 1938 he scored twice as England beat Norway 4-0 at St James Park and a week later he was part of the side who beat Northern Ireland 7-0 in Manchester. Reggie won two more 'unofficial' caps during the War, both against Wales.

By 1944 he was stationed at RAF Leuchars and began to turn out for Dundee on a regular basis. He'd won his England caps as a left winger, but turned out for Dundee at inside left or left half and in his initial season (1944-45) he played 21 games, scoring twice.

Dundee played in the North Eastern League that year and his debut came in a 2-2 derby draw.

Reggie was still turning out for Millwall at times too with football being somewhat less regimented in the War time climate and that was the case in the following season too. He made 17 appearances as Dundee won the Scottish League 'B' Division only to be denied promotion as a 'years grace' had been established to allow clubs to get back on an even keel after the War. Dundee were however red hot favourites to go up the following season and manager George Anderson arranged a swap deal to keep Reggie at Dens. In March 1946 Willie Anderson went to Millwall with Reggie officially becoming a Dundee player.

It was an inspired move as Dundee clinched the division for the second season running and knocked Glasgow giants Celtic out of the Scottish Cup, they also won their League Cup section and as in the Scottish Cup reached the quarter finals of that tournament. Club historian Norrie Price wrote of that year 'Much of Dundee's inspiration came from half backs Gibby McKenzie and Reggie Smith.'

The Englishman played every game in both league and cups as Dundee stormed back into the top division, and there was another remarkable achievement during the campaign. At Recreation Park, Alloa on March the 8th Smith scored one of the goals as Dundee set a record winning margin by beating the home side 10-0, and in their next match a fortnight later they repeated the scoreline, this time sending Dunfermline home on the wrong end of double figures.

Back in the top division Reggie didn't feature quite as often but still notched up 23 appearances as Dundee finished fourth, 1948-49 is one of the most famous seasons in Dundee's history, the year in which the league should have been won, but by now Reggie's playing career was almost over, he did play a part though, coming into the team for twelve games in the middle of the campaign. That run in the side gave him the chance to score his final goal for Dundee, a penalty in the League Cup semi final defeat by Rangers.

Reggie joined the coaching staff at Dens and in his new role of trainer/coach was an integral part of George Anderson's backroom staff as Dundee won two League Cups but in 1954 he moved across Sandeman Street to manage local rivals Dundee United.

In two and half years at Tannadice he began to turn around the fortunes of United and it was a shock when he left to take over from Bob Shankly at Falkirk who were rooted to the foot of the first division.

Reggie knew what he was doing though, despite his quote of "I'll have to be a miracle man to keep this lot up". Not only did he keep The Bairns' up but also won the Scottish Cup for the only time in their history. In 1959 he returned to Millwall as manager and got off to a record breaking start, going unbeaten in their first nineteen games.

Unfortunately they didn't maintain that form and finished fifth in Division four. Reggie was manager at The Den for a year and half and later managed Southern League side Bedford Town and Cape Town City in South Africa, birthplace of his father.

Debut

August 10th, 1946
East Fife 2 - 6 Dundee

League (B Division)


Playing Statistics - First Team Competitive matches (All Seasons)


Competition NPS Win % Draw % Loss %
League 536- --
Scottish Cup 5-- --
League Cup 121- --
Totals: 707- --

 Recent Starting Appearances (First Team Competitive matches)
 29/01/49 A Division vs. East Fife (A) 0 - 3
 22/01/49 1st Round vs. St Johnstone (H) 6 - 1
 18/12/48 A Division vs. Third Lanark (H) 1 - 1
 11/12/48 A Division vs. Motherwell (A) 2 - 0
 04/12/48 A Division vs. Hibernian (A) 1 - 2

 Recent Goals Scored (First Team Competitive matches)
 20/11/48 Semi Final vs. Rangers (N) 1 - 4
 10/01/48 A Division vs. Clyde (H) 7 - 0
 08/11/47 A Division vs. St Mirren (H) 6 - 1
 03/05/47 B Division vs. Ayr Utd (H) 6 - 2
 05/04/47 B Division vs. Dumbarton (H) 4 - 0

 List of First Team Competitive matches played (click to expand)
 29/01/49 A Division vs. East Fife (A)  0 - 3
 22/01/49 1st Round vs. St Johnstone (H)  6 - 1
 18/12/48 A Division vs. Third Lanark (H)  1 - 1
 11/12/48 A Division vs. Motherwell (A)  2 - 0
 04/12/48 A Division vs. Hibernian (A)  1 - 2
 27/11/48 A Division vs. St Mirren (H)  1 - 0
 20/11/48 Semi Final vs. Rangers (N)  1 - 4
 13/11/48 A Division vs. Queen of South (H)  2 - 1
 06/11/48 A Division vs. Albion Rovers (A)  6 - 0
 03/11/48 Quarter Final Replay vs. Alloa (A)  3 - 1
 30/10/48 Quarter Final vs. Alloa (H)  1 - 1
 23/10/48 A Division vs. Celtic (H)  1 - 0
 24/01/48 1st Round vs. Hearts (H)  2 - 4
 17/01/48 A Division vs. Hearts (A)  1 - 0
 10/01/48 A Division vs. Clyde (H)  7 - 0
 03/01/48 A Division vs. Rangers (A)  1 - 2
 01/01/48 A Division vs. Aberdeen (H)  0 - 0
 27/12/47 A Division vs. Queen of South (A)  2 - 5
 25/12/47 A Division vs. Rangers (H)  1 - 3
 20/12/47 A Division vs. Morton (H)  0 - 4
 13/12/47 A Division vs. Partick (H)  2 - 2
 29/11/47 A Division vs. Third Lanark (H)  5 - 2
 22/11/47 A Division vs. Motherwell (A)  2 - 0
 15/11/47 A Division vs. Hibernian (A)  1 - 2
 08/11/47 A Division vs. St Mirren (H)  6 - 1
 25/10/47 A Division vs. Queen's Park (H)  2 - 1
 18/10/47 A Division vs. Airdrie (1878) (A)  0 - 2
 06/10/47 A Division vs. Hearts (H)  2 - 1
 04/10/47 A Division vs. Clyde (A)  4 - 1
 27/09/47 A Division vs. Airdrie (1878) (H)  6 - 0
 20/09/47 A Division vs. Aberdeen (A)  2 - 3
 13/09/47 Group 3 vs. Rangers (H)  1 - 1
 06/09/47 Group 3 vs. Celtic (H)  4 - 1
 13/08/47 A Division vs. Morton (A)  0 - 3
 09/08/47 Group 3 vs. Third Lanark (H)  5 - 0
 03/05/47 B Division vs. Ayr Utd (H)  6 - 2
 23/04/47 B Division vs. Raith Rovers (H)  5 - 2
 05/04/47 B Division vs. Dumbarton (H)  4 - 0
 29/03/47 Quarter Final vs. Aberdeen (H)  1 - 2
 22/03/47 B Division vs. Dunfermline (H)  10 - 0
 08/03/47 B Division vs. Alloa (A)  10 - 0
 05/03/47 Quarter Final 2nd Leg vs. Aberdeen (A)  2 - 3
 01/03/47 Quarter Final 1st Leg vs. Aberdeen (H)  0 - 1
 22/02/47 3rd Round vs. Albion Rovers (H)  3 - 0
 01/02/47 B Division vs. Albion Rovers (A)  2 - 2
 25/01/47 1st Round vs. Celtic (H)  2 - 1
 18/01/47 B Division vs. St Johnstone (H)  2 - 0
 11/01/47 B Division vs. Stenhousemuir (A)  0 - 0
 04/01/47 B Division vs. Cowdenbeath (H)  6 - 2
 02/01/47 B Division vs. Arbroath (A)  4 - 1
 01/01/47 B Division vs. Dundee Utd (H)  2 - 0
 28/12/46 B Division vs. Airdrie (1878) (A)  1 - 2
 21/12/46 B Division vs. East Fife (H)  2 - 0
 14/12/46 B Division vs. Ayr Utd (A)  6 - 2
 07/12/46 B Division vs. St Johnstone (A)  5 - 1
 30/11/46 B Division vs. Albion Rovers (H)  6 - 2
 23/11/46 B Division vs. Dunfermline (A)  5 - 2
 16/11/46 B Division vs. Cowdenbeath (A)  8 - 2
 09/11/46 B Division vs. Stenhousemuir (H)  4 - 1
 02/11/46 B Division vs. Raith Rovers (A)  4 - 1
 19/10/46 Section 6 vs. Stenhousemuir (A)  4 - 0
 12/10/46 Section 6 vs. Raith Rovers (H)  3 - 1
 28/09/46 Section 6 vs. Stenhousemuir (H)  4 - 0
 21/09/46 Section 6 vs. Raith Rovers (A)  2 - 0
 14/09/46 B Division vs. Alloa (H)  6 - 2
 07/09/46 B Division vs. Dumbarton (A)  1 - 2
 31/08/46 B Division vs. Arbroath (H)  5 - 0
 24/08/46 B Division vs. Dundee Utd (A)  2 - 1
 17/08/46 B Division vs. Airdrie (1878) (H)  1 - 1
 10/08/46 B Division vs. East Fife (A)  6 - 2

 List of First Team Competitive goals scored (click to expand)
 20/11/48 Semi Final vs. Rangers (N)  1 - 4
 10/01/48 A Division vs. Clyde (H)  7 - 0
 08/11/47 A Division vs. St Mirren (H)  6 - 1
 03/05/47 B Division vs. Ayr Utd (H)  6 - 2
 05/04/47 B Division vs. Dumbarton (H)  4 - 0
 08/03/47 B Division vs. Alloa (A)  10 - 0
 28/12/46 B Division vs. Airdrie (1878) (A)  1 - 2

  = Starting Appearances (Sub Appearances) | = Goals | NPS = Squad Appearances (as Non-Playing Sub) | GtGR = Goals to Games Ratio
 Yel = Yellow Cards/Cautions | Red = Red Cards/Dismissals | W/D/L - Games won, drawn or lost as percentage of games played in


Timeline

  • Date of Birth

    Saturday, January 20th, 1912

  • International Debut

    Wednesday, November 9th, 1938

  • First Non-Competitive Appearance (Friendly)

    Dundee 2 - 2 Dundee Utd
    North-Eastern League (Autumn) (WW2)

    Saturday, November 4th, 1944

  • Signed For Dundee

    Thursday, March 0th, 1946

  • First Team Debut

    East Fife 2 - 6 Dundee
    League (B Division)

    Saturday, August 10th, 1946

  • First Goal

    Airdrie (1878) 2 - 1 Dundee
    League (B Division)

    Saturday, December 28th, 1946

  • 50th Appearance

    Dundee 2 - 2 Partick
    League (A Division)

    Saturday, December 13th, 1947

  • 50th League Appearance

    Hibernian 2 - 1 Dundee
    League (A Division)

    Saturday, December 4th, 1948

  • Last Appearance

    East Fife 3 - 0 Dundee
    League (A Division)

    Saturday, January 29th, 1949


International Career (England)

Caps: 2

International Debut: November 9th, 1938 v. Norway