Doug Smith

Douglas Baigrie Smith (9 March 1937 – 5 December 2012) was a Scottish footballer who played as a centre half. Smith spent his entire senior career with Dundee United, making over 600 appearances for the club between 1959 and 1976. He later joined the club's board of directors and was chairman from 2000 until 2002.

Early life Doug Smith was born in Aberdeen, one of four brothers. Two of the others would also go on to play senior football: Dave, who played for Aberdeen, Rangers and Scotland, and Hugh, who played for Forfar Athletic and Greenock Morton.

Playing career Smith began his career with local junior team Aberdeen Lads Club, while also serving an apprenticeship as a painter and decorator. Initially a right-half, alongside Ron Yeats at centre-half, he converted to the latter position when Yeats was signed by Dundee United in 1957. After completing his apprenticeship, Smith also signed for Dundee United in 1958, where he would spend his entire senior career. With Yeats established in the first team despite being on national service, Smith initially played in the reserves, making his first team debut in September 1959 when Yeats' army duties meant he was unavailable for a midweek match.

As well as his club commitments, Smith served on various Scottish Football Association (SFA) and Scottish Football League (SFL) committees and was appointed as president of the SFL for a term beginning in 1997.

Outside football and legacy After retiring as a player, Smith ran the Athletic Bar, a pub near Dundee United's Tannadice Park ground. He was one of the first inductees to the Dundee United Hall of Fame in 2008. He died in Dundee on 5 December 2012, aged 75. His wife May had died earlier; the couple had three children as well as 6 grandchildren

Honours Dundee United Scottish Cup: Runner-up: 1973–74