The former Liverpool FC player and captain Tommy Smith passed away at the age of 74, and with that joined the legends of football and will be remembered as one of the most iconic Liverpool players.
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Tommy Smith, born on April 5th 1945 is one of the most iconic Liverpool players that ever played for the club. He joined the Reds in 1962 and remained at the Liverpool for the next 16 years.
During his time at Liverpool, Tommy Smith played 638 games and helped his club win four league titles, European Cup, two FA Cups and two UEFA Cups. He also scored 48 goals, including one in the 1977 European Cup finals, when Liverpool defeated Borussia Monchengladbach and lifted the trophy for the first time.
Smith joined his beloved club at a young age, but through determination and by showing huge potential and determination, he found his way into the first team rather quickly, where it did not take him long to gain a reputation as one of the best defenders. Due to his exceptional defensive skills and fearless approach to the game, Tommy Smith was also known as “Anfield Iron“, a nickname which followed him throughout his life. After leaving Liverpool in 1978, Tommy Smith also had short spells at Tampa Bay Rowdies, Los Angeles Aztecs and Swansea City until he retired in 1979. During his professional football career, Tommy Smith had a chance to represent England once (1971).
Tommy Smith health issues started in 2007, when he suffered a heart attack, before being diagnosed with Alzheimers and dementia in 2014. Sadly his time has come on April 13th 2019, not long after his 74th birthday.
After the news of Tommy Smith surfaced, Liverpool expressed their respect and condolences to his family members and friends via Twitter.
We’re deeply saddened by the passing of our former captain Tommy Smith, aged 74.
The thoughts of everyone at Liverpool Football Club are with Tommy’s family and many friends.
In an interview with Sky Sports, his former teammate Phil Thompson had a few words he had to say about the Tommy:
“I loved him from the Kop, because of his passion, commitment and never-say-die attitude.”He was an incredible figure who helped me out enormously. Liverpool Football Club owes this guy a debt of gratitude.”
“To go on and play with him, rub shoulders with him, go into battles with him, he was iconic. He wanted and desired the points every week. Tommy was the epitome of what Bill Shankly demanded. He drove the team, he was incredible.”
Mark Lawrenson, another former teammate of Tommy Smith marked him as a leader and a legend in an interview with BBC, he had the following words to say:
“He was a Liverpool great, a really good player and a beautiful striker of the ball. He played in the midfield and in the defence, and he took no prisoners.
“Tommy was a leader of men. Just to be able to play three positions in an outstanding team was great.
“All he ever wanted to do was play for Liverpool and the reason he played so many games was because he played injured. He really was a Liverpool legend in every single way.”
