Keith Smith (English footballer)

Keith Smith (born 15 September 1940)[1] is an English retired footballer, who played as a forward. He made 277 league appearances for West Bromwich Albion, Peterborough United, Crystal Palace, Darlington, Leyton Orient and Notts County (scoring 81 goals in total), before moving into non-league football with Kidderminster Harriers. Married to Judy Wildman,[2] his daughter was born in 1963. While he was playing for WBA, he and his wife owned and ran the chip shop in Chapman Street, West Bromwich. Following his retirement from playing football, he worked for Aston Villa as commercial director during the years of league and European success and later went on to work for West Midlands Police at Wednesbury Police Station.

Keith Smith
Personal information
Full name Keith Wilson Smith[1]
Date of birth (1940-09-15) 15 September 1940
Place of birth Woodville, Derbyshire, England
Position(s) Forward
Youth career
?–1959 West Bromwich Albion
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1959–1963 West Bromwich Albion 63 (30)
1963–1964 Peterborough United 55 (28)
1964–1966 Crystal Palace 50 (14)
1966–1967 Darlington 17 (2)
1967 Orient 3 (0)
1967–1970 Notts County 89 (7)
1970–? Kidderminster Harriers ? (?)
Total 277 (81)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Career

Born in Derbyshire, Smith played professionally for West Bromwich Albion and Peterborough United, before signing for his former West Bromwich Albion manager Dick Graham, now managing Crystal Palace. On 28 August 1965, Smith became the club's first ever substitute when he replaced Ian Lawson.[3] He also scored Palace's fastest ever goal, a six-second strike against Derby County, away from home on 12 December 1964. From Peter Burridge's kick-off Cliff Holton passed to Brian Whitehouse, and Whitehouse launched a long ball for Smith to score one of the fastest goals in association football.[4] Smith was transferred to Darlington in 1966,[1] before seeing out his professional career with Leyton Orient and Notts County.

References
  1. Mike Purkiss & Nigel Sands. Crystal Palace: A Complete Record 1905–1989. p. 340. ISBN 0907969542.
  2. "FreeBMD District Info". www.freebmd.org.uk. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
  3. "Palace Pioneers: Keith Smith". 7 September 2010. Archived from the original on 25 June 2013. Retrieved 25 June 2013.
  4. Football's fastest goal claimed - Sport - The Independent
  • Keith Smith at Post War English & Scottish Football League A–Z Player's Database


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