David Bowman "Dave" Smith (born 22 September 1933 in
Dundee,
Scotland) is a
Scottish former
footballer and
manager.
Player
<!-- Commented out: -->Smith started his career as a 16 year old at
First Division Burnley. After 11 years at Burnley, he had short spells at
Brighton and
Bristol City before retiring to take up coaching at
Sheffield Wednesday. Further coaching stints followed at
Newcastle United and
Arsenal.
Manager
His first management job was at
Fourth Division Mansfield Town in
1974 where re-election was just avoided. The following season was a triumph, Mansfield taking the title by six points without losing a game at home.
The next job was at
Southend United where in his second season promotion from the Fourth Division was achieved once again, this time as runners up to
Watford in
1978. Two seasons of struggle followed resulting in relegation. Once again promotion was achieved at the first attempt, this time as champions, with nine club records broken in the process.
Third Division safety was then achieved and Smith's job was assured until a takeover left him out.
Sixteen months followed out of football selling insurance and applying for every vacant manager's position. Smith then took over at Third Division
Plymouth Argyle in December 1984 from
Johnny Hore and fifteenth position was achieved in his first part-season. The following year promotion was achieved to the
Second Division as runners up to
Reading. A comfortable seventh position was...
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