Gary Smith (born 21 April 1954) is an English former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1970s and 1980s. He played at representative level for Yorkshire, and at club level for York, as a utility player.
Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | Gary Smith | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 21 April 1954 York, England | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Fullback, Stand-off, Scrum-half, Loose forward | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Relatives | Chris Smith (son) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Background
editSmith was born in York on 21 April 1954.[3] He is the father of the rugby league footballer; Chris Smith.[4]
Playing career
editYork
editGary Smith made his début for York on Monday 3 April 1972, he was a member of the sides that won promotion from the Second Division to the First Division as champions during the 1980–81 season, and in third-place during the 1984–85 season, during his time at York he scored 94 three-point tries and 13 four-point tries, and he played his last match for York on Thursday 12 December 1985.[5]
Smith played fullback, and scored a try, in York's 8–18 defeat by Bradford Northern in the 1978–79 Yorkshire Cup Final during the 1978–79 season at Headingley, Leeds on Saturday 28 October 1978, in front of a crowd of 10,429.
Gary Smith played in York's 2–29 defeat by Australia at Clarence Street, York on Tuesday 14 November 1978, under temporary floodlights.
Gary Smith played in York's 8–14 defeat by Wigan in the 1983–84 Challenge Cup semi-final during the 1983–84 season at Elland Road, Leeds on Saturday 24 March 1984, in front of a crowd of 17,156.
Sheffield Eagles
editSmith signed for Sheffield Eagles in January 1986.[6]
Batley
editSmith signed for Batley in November 1988.[7]
Representative honours
editHonoured at York
editGary Smith is an inductee into both the York Hall Of Fame and the York Legends Roster.[8]
References
edit- ^ "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2019. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
- ^ "Player Summary: Gary Smith". Rugby League Records. Rugby League Record Keepers Club. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
- ^ Emery, David (1984). Who's Who in Rugby League. London: Queen Anne Press. p. 109. ISBN 978-0-356-10435-5.
- ^ "Awards aplenty". York Press. 9 October 2004. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
- ^ "Knights launch York Hall of Fame". Love Rugby League. 17 March 2013. Retrieved 26 September 2022.
- ^ Fletcher, Raymond; Howes, David, eds. (1986). Rothmans Rugby League Yearbook 1986-87. London: Queen Anne Press. p. 368. ISBN 978-0-356-12417-9.
- ^ Fletcher, Raymond; Howes, David, eds. (1989). Rothmans Rugby League yearbook 1989-90. London: Queen Anne Press. p. 378. ISBN 978-0-356-17850-9.
- ^ "York RL 'Legends' revealed ahead of Knights awards dinner". yorkpress.co.uk. 17 September 2015. Retrieved 1 January 2016.