Ron Smith

Ronald Smith (7 June 1936 – 17 August 2026) was an English footballer who played on the left wing. He scored 63 goals in 429 appearances during his career.

Failing to make the grade at Liverpool, he transferred to Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic in 1959. He spent two years with the club before moving to Crewe Alexandra in July 1961. He helped Crewe to win promotion out of the Fourth Division in 1962–63 before he was sold to Port Vale for a £6,500 fee in October 1963. In April 1965, he was allowed to join Southport, where he again won promotion out of the fourth tier in 1966–67. Following this, he joined Altrincham, where he lifted the Northern Premier League Challenge Cup in 1970. He later continued in non-League football with Netherfield, Formby and Fleetwood Hesketh.

Career Liverpool to Bournemouth Ronald Smith was born in Garston, Liverpool on 7 June 1936 and attended Gilmour Secondary Modern school. He was a regular from his inception in the side, and posted 39 appearances in 1963–64, scoring five goals. He lost his first-team place on Boxing Day 1964 when he damaged an eye in a 3–0 defeat to Hull City. After a second-place finish in 1967–68, the club became founder members of the Northern Premier League.

Death Smith had dementia in later life and died on 17 August 2026, aged 90.

Career statistics

Honours Crewe Alexandra Football League Fourth Division third-place promotion: 1962–63

Southport Football League Fourth Division second-place promotion: 1966–67

Altrincham Northern Premier League Challenge Cup: 1970