Denis Smith (footballer)

Denis Smith (born 19 November 1947 in Stoke-on-Trent) is an English football manager and former player.

Playing career

Smith began his playing career with Stoke City on leaving school in 1963 and played 488 games for the club until hanging up his boots in 1982 having scored 41 goals. During his time at Stoke he helped them to League Cup victory in 1972. Many Stoke fans consider him to be amongst their true greats, a local legend.

During Smith's 14 seasons with the Potters he became known for his 'die for the cause' mentality which led to him having a large number of injuries. These included five broken legs, breaking his nose four times, a cracked ankle, broken collar bone, chipped spine, breaking most of his fingers and toes and needing more than 200 stitches. The sequence saw him named in the Guinness Book of Records as the most injured man in football.

Smith has often declined a return to Stoke as a manager.

Management

He moved into management with York City at the start of the 1982-83 season as player-manager. He retired from playing after one season and in his second season as York manager guided them to Fourth Division title glory and promotion to the Third Division.

In January 1985 he guided the Third Division club to a...
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