Full name William Smith Years Team | Name Willie Smith | |
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Date of birth (1943-12-06) 6 December 1943 (age 72) | ||
Playing position | ||
William "Willie" Smith (born 6 December 1943) is a retired Scottish professional football wing half who appeared in the Football League with Brentford.
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Early years
Born in Glasgow, Smith began his career as an inside left with junior side Blantyre Celtic before securing a move to Scottish Division One side Celtic in 1960. He failed to appear for the first team and departed Celtic Park in 1963.
Brentford
Smith moved to England and was recruited by Division Three side Brentford's Scottish manager Malky McDonald in June 1963. Playing as a wing half, Smith made something of a breakthrough into the first team during the 1963–64 season, making 18 appearances. Over the course of the following two seasons, Smith lost his place to Mel Scott and made just 12 appearances. He was mostly confined to the reserve team, winning the London Challenge Cup with the side in 1965. Smith departed Griffin Park in the summer of 1966, having made 30 appearances for the Bees without scoring.
Hastings United
After his release from Brentford, Smith dropped into non-league football and signed for Southern League Division One side Hastings United in the summer of 1966. He helped the club to a second-place finish in the 1966–67 season, securing promotion to the Premier Division.
Honours
Brentford Reserves