Joe Smith (football halfback, born 1889)

Joseph Enoch Smith (1889 – 13 November 1916) was an English professional footballer who played in the Football League for Birmingham. He played as a half back.[1] He was killed in action in the First World War.

Joe Smith
Personal information
Full name Joseph Enoch Smith
Date of birth 1889
Place of birth Kilnhurst, England
Date of death (1916-11-13)13 November 1916 (aged 27)
Place of death Serre-lès-Puisieux, France
Playing position(s) Half back
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
Hickleton Main Colliery
1912–1914 Birmingham 8 (0)
1914–1915 Chesterfield Town 30 (1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Football career

Smith was born in Kilnhurst, Yorkshire. A coal miner by trade, he began his football career with his works team, Hickleton Main Colliery, before joining Birmingham in 1912.[2] He made his debut in the Second Division on 4 January 1913, deputising for James Bumphrey in an away game against Wolverhampton Wanderers which finished 2–2.[3] A defensive player, described as one who "held his opponents in check effectively, but should show more discretion putting the ball forward", he was unable to impose himself on the first team, and after two seasons in which he played only eight games,[2] he joined Chesterfield Town. Smith spent the 1914–15 season at the Midland League club, scoring once from 30 league games,[4] before competitive football was suspended for the duration of the First World War.

War service

Smith served in the 17th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment – the so-called "Footballers' Battalion" – in northern France. He rose to the rank of Company Serjeant Major, and was killed at Serre, Pas-de-Calais, on 13 November 1916 near the end of the Battle of the Somme. Smith was mentioned in despatches for displaying considerable bravery, "after being wounded, again dashed into battle, only to be shot down", and is commemorated at Serre Road Cemetery No. 1.[5][6]

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References
  1. Joyce, Michael (2004). Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939. Nottingham: SoccerData. p. 244. ISBN 978-1-899468-67-6.
  2. Matthews, Tony (1995). Birmingham City: A Complete Record. Derby: Breedon Books. p. 125. ISBN 978-1-85983-010-9.
  3. Matthews, p. 159.
  4. "Chesterfield FC: Player-based information: 1909–1917" (XLSX). cfchistory.com. Stuart Basson. April 2015. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
  5. "Chesterfield's Roll of Honour". Chesterfield F.C. 12 November 2008. Archived from the original on 25 April 2009. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
  6. "Casualty details". Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Retrieved 12 June 2009.
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