Walter Smith

Scottish soccer player and manager (1948-2021)

Walter Ferguson Smith OBE (24 February 1948 – 26 October 2021)[2] was a Scottish football player, manager and director. He was most well known for his two spells as manager of Glasgow club Rangers.

Walter Smith
OBE
Personal information
Full name Walter Ferguson Smith[1]
Date of birth (1948-02-24)24 February 1948[1]
Place of birth Lanark, Scotland
Date of death 26 October 2021(2021-10-26) (aged 73)[1]
Position(s) Defender
Youth career
Drumchapel Amateurs
Ashfield
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1966–1975 Dundee United 108 (2)
1967Dallas Tornado (loan) 3 (0)
1975–1977 Dumbarton 44 (0)
1977–1980 Dundee United 26 (0)
Total 181 (2)
Teams managed
1978–1982 Scotland U18
1982–1986 Scotland U21
1991–1998 Rangers
1998–2002 Everton
2004–2007 Scotland
2004–2006 Scotland B
2007–2011 Rangers
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Early life and career

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Walter Smith was born in Lanark, South Lanarkshire, and grew up in Carmyle in the east end of Glasgow as a boyhood fan of Rangers. He trained as an electrician and gained employment at the South of Scotland Electricity Board before launching his football career in the 1960s with Junior League team Ashfield.

Smith signed as a defender with Dundee United in 1966, joining as a part-timer while working as an electrician. He was a decent player rather than a gifted one. In September 1975 he moved to Dumbarton, but returned to United in 1977. At the age of 29, a pelvic injury threatened his career and he was invited to join the Dundee United coaching staff by Jim McLean. His first team appearances were limited thereafter, but he remained a signed player and his final club match was in September 1980. In total, he made over 250 senior appearances, scoring three goals.

In March 2021, Smith was hospitalized and had surgery for an unknown illness.[3] Smith's death was announced on 26 October 2021. He was 73.[4]

References

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  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Walter Smith: Profile". worldfootball.net. HEIM:SPIEL. Retrieved 25 December 2019.
  2. "Walter Smith - Obituary - Football - The Telegraph". The Telegraph. 27 October 2021. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
  3. "Rangers: Walter Smith in hospital following operation". BBC Sport. 13 March 2021. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
  4. "Walter Smith: Former Rangers, Everton and Scotland manager dies at age 73". BBC News. 26 October 2021. Retrieved 26 October 2021.