Tommy Smith (footballer born 1945)

Thomas "Tommy" Smith MBE (born 5 April 1945) was a long-serving footballer with Liverpool, known for his uncompromising defensive style. Manager Bill Shankly once said of him: "Tommy Smith wasn't born, he was quarried."

Life and playing career

Born in Liverpool, Smith joined Liverpool F.C. under new manager Bill Shankly as a schoolboy on 19 May 1960 and made his début three years later on 8 May 1963, the last day of the season in a comprehensive 5–1 victory over Birmingham City at Anfield. However, he made no appearances throughout the following season, as Liverpool won the League title. He scored his first goal in the 3–2 league defeat to Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park on 29 August 1964.

In 1965, Smith started to feature more regularly and was an integral part of the Liverpool side that won the FA Cup for the first time in the club's history, They beat Leeds United 2–1 after extra-time in the final at Wembley on 1 May. Although a defender, Smith wore the #10 shirt; a cunning ploy by manager Bill Shankly to confuse opponents in the days when specific numbers always represented specific positions on the pitch. The #10 shirt usually was worn by an inside forward.

The 1965–66 campaign saw Smith become a fixture in the team which went on to regain the League title, earning Smith the first of his four championship medals, However, the season also had the taste of disappointment as Liverpool lost 2–1 in the 1966 European Cup......
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