Born in Lingdale, North Yorkshire, Smith wasn't living too far away from Middlesbrough. He played for Redcar Youth but was spotted by a Chelsea scout; yes, they are always prepared! The Pensioners man took Bobby away from the north to the "evil" capital where Bobby soon learned a few lessons.
Bobby was a stocky old fashioned centre-forward who played for Chelsea from 1950-55 (74 apps 23 goals), when for £18,000, he went to Spurs where he played over 270 games, scoring 176 goals, which is some return. During this peak in his career, he played for England in the early 1960s winning 15 caps and scoring 13 goals, including a memorable double, stuffing the Scots 9-3 at Wembley in 1963.
With various troubles in his life, he slipped away from discipline and despite trying to keep his career moving at Brighton and Hove Albion (31 apps 19 goals), he eventually slipped into playing for Hastings United, where I saw him live at Horsham FC in an FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round in 1966.
With temporary stands and other improvements to the ground, over 7, 000 watched the "Hornets" win 2-1, earning a red letter day again at Queen's Street, their home ground, against Swindon Town with Don Rogers in his pomp. My Geography teacher from Collyer's GS, Brian Hardcastle, from Huddersfield originally, was part of the Horsham squad.
In 1947-8, Horsham won their way through to the First Round Proper of the FA Cup, for the first time. En route they beat Hastings United away 1-2 in the Preliminary Round. They then played Haywards Heath FC in the First Qualifying Round, drawing 1-1 and then winning 8-3 in the replay.
East Grinstead was the next opposition (QR2) and Horsham brushed them aside 5-2 at home. Worthing was their next opponent in QR3, with a 1-0 win after extra time, then Redhill in the Fourth Qual. Rd.
In the First Round Proper, another very famous centre-forward, Tommy Lawton, greeted the Sussex team at his home ground and County quickly found themselves 0-1 down. Stung by that surprise from the Hornets, Lawton eventually helped his side to a 9-1 victory.
Notts County soldiered on to Round 4 where they lost 1-0 to.....yep, you guessed it, Swindon Town-Don was not playing!
Swindon then lost to Southampton (who are presently playing against Chelsea as I write), the Saints then lost to Spurs 0-1 in Round 6 (Quarter-final) Tottenham lost to Blackpool (Matthews and all) who lost to Man Utd in the 1948 Final (4-2)...a programme that I have in my collection which must be worth a few shillings by now!
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