Keith Smith (rugby)

For other people named Keith Smith, see Keith Smith (disambiguation).
Keith Smith
Full name Keith Smith
Date of birth 19 November 1952
Place of birth Leeds, West Riding of Yorkshire, England, UK
Date of death 2 June 2006 (aged 53)
Place of death St. Gemma's Hospice, Leeds, England, UK
Height 6"3'
Rugby league career
Position Centre, Stand-off
correct as of 11 September 2006.
Professional clubs
Years Club / team Caps (points)
1977-1979 Wakefield Trinity
correct as of 11 September 2006.
National teams
Years Club / team Caps (points)
1979 England 1
correct as of 11 September 2006.
Rugby union career
Playing career
Position Inside and Outside Center
Amateur clubs
Years Club / team
1972-76 Moortown & Roundhay
correct as of 11 September 2006.
National team(s)
Years Club / team Caps (points)
1974-75 England 4
correct as of 11 September 2006.
Coaching career
Years Club / team
East Leeds ARLFC, Easy Road.
correct as of 11 September 2006.

Keith Smith (19 November 1952 — 2 June 2006 (aged 53)) was an English dual-code international rugby player of the 1970s; he excelled in playing centre. He first played with Moortown and Yorkshire Colts rugby then advanced to Roundhay. It was from that side that he was selected to play in the English international ranks.

His Roundhay début was against local rivals West Leeds Old Boys in 1972. The last of his eventual 85 games was played was against Gosforth in 1976 for the National Cup. He eventually played 14 times for Yorkshire.

His first English appearance was a disappointing 12-12 draw against France played at Parc des Princes in Paris on 2 March 1974. In this game his centre pairing was Coventry’s Geoff Evans. Peter Squires and Alan Old also played alongside him, they were both from his Yorkshire club. The following day over 200 people, many rugby supporters returning from the match, were killed in an air crash over Northern France.

Smith then went on the play for England against Wales at Twickenham two weeks later and added two more caps against Wales in Cardiff in 1975 and then playing against Scotland at Twickenham the following game.

Smith’s trademark skill was an irresistible dummy and a beautiful pair of hands, while his ability to glide through the tightest defences made him a valuable centre.

Challenge Cup final appearances

Keith Smith played Centre, i.e. number 3 in Wakefield Trinity’s 3-12 defeat to Widnes in the 1979 Challenge Cup final during the 1978–79 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 5 May 1979.[1]

He transferred those skills to rugby league when he joined Wakefield Trinity (Heritage #845) and in 1979 he also represented England at Rugby League against Wales scoring a try, before becoming a postman and spending time coaching junior rugby league at East Leeds ARLFC. Keith was diagnosed with cancer, and died in 2006 at St. Gemma's Hospice, Leeds, aged 53.

References

  1. ↑ Hoole, Les (2004). Wakefield Trinity RLFC - FIFTY GREAT GAMES. Breedon Books. ISBN 1-85983-429-9
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