Jim Smith (footballer, born 1863)
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | James Clarke | ||
| Date of birth | 1863 | ||
| Date of death | 1937 | ||
| Position(s) | Goalkeeper | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1883–93 | The Wednesday | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Jim Smith was an association footballer who played in the 1890 FA Cup final for Sheffield Wednesday.
Career
[edit]Smith, whose real surname was Clarke,[1] started work at the Atlas & Norfolk Steel Works - originally operating in the crucible room - when he was 11 years old;[2] he worked there for 58 years.
His playing career was entirely with Sheffield Wednesday, and was the first choice goalkeeper from 1884 to 1891.[3] The highlight - and lowlight - of his career was appearing for the club in the 1889–90 FA Cup final. As a full-time employee and part-time footballer, Smith (along with Tom Cawley) was unable to take part in the special training for the latter stages of the competition,[4] He proved a stellar choice in the 2–1 semi-final win over Bolton Wanderers with one particular save just before half-time being noted, and the goal against him having a suspicion of offside.[5]
The final however was a different matter. Captain Henry Winterbottom could not play because of injury, and forward Billy Ingram was not at full fitness; opponents Blackburn Rovers took full advantage, going 4–0 up before half-time and winning 6–1, a record at the time. Smith was blamed for the first two goals.[6] He did however have the consolation of a championship medal in the Football Alliance, of which Wednesday were the inaugural champions that season.[7] Curiously, Wednesday finished bottom in 1890–91, but finished high enough in 1891–92 to be elected to the Football League; however by the end of the latter season Smith had been displaced from goal by Allen.[8]
After retiring from the playing field, he acted as coach for the Atlas & Norfolk works sides.[9]
He was a club cricketer for 30 years and an angler of some repute, winning the Sheffield works angling championship when he was 68.[10] He was also a member of the Burngreave Conservative Association, acting as Father Christmas in the organization's charity Christmas parties, distributing toys to poor families.[11] He died in 1937, survived by his widow, son, and daughter.[12]
Honours
[edit]- FA Cup
- Runner-up: 1889–90
- Football Alliance
- Champion: 1889–90
References
[edit]- ^ "Played with Wednesday". Sheffield Independent: 8. 23 September 1937.
- ^ "Between you, me and the Goalpost". Football Gazette (South Shields): 3. 2 October 1937.
- ^ "Jim Smith". Wednesday Archive. Retrieved 26 April 2024. The 1893–94 season refers to a different footballer.
- ^ "Wednesday v Notts County". Sheffield Independent: 7. 1 March 1890.
- ^ "Bolton Wanderers v Sheffield Wednesday". Derby Daily Telegraph: 3. 10 March 1890.
- ^ "The English Association Challenge Cup". Sheffield Independent: 7. 31 March 1890.
- ^ "The Alliance". Manchester Courier: 7. 12 May 1890.
- ^ "Football notes". Sheffield Independent: 7. 23 February 1892.
- ^ "Local cricket chat". Star Green 'un: 4. 17 July 1909.
- ^ "The "Blue Riband" of angling". Star Green 'un: 3. 17 September 1932.
- ^ "Tiny tots' happy party". Sheffield Daily Telegraph: 7. 8 January 1931.
- ^ "Played with Wednesday". Sheffield Independent: 8. 23 September 1937.