Tommy Smith struck by heart attack
Jun 6 2007
by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
LIVERPOOL FC legend Tommy Smith was recovering in hospital today after suffering a heart attack.
The man nicknamed the Anfield Iron collapsed at his Crosby home yesterday afternoon while mowing the lawn.
The 62-year-old crawled into the house where wife Sue dialled an ambulance, which took him to Fazakerley hospital.
He is expected to be back home by the weekend.
One of Liverpool’s greatest servants and an ECHO columnist for more than 20 years, Smith had been complaining of discomfort in his chest for several days.
But he dismissed the problems as indigestion.
Smith made 637 first team appearances for the club – and as a result suffers from painful rheumatoid arthritis for which he takes daily medication.
His flint-like attitude and committed tackling earned him the nickname “Anfield Iron” and spawned a thousand stories of his rugged approach to the game.
But he was also blessed with a subtle touch and keen tactical brain.
Born just a mile from Anfield, he joined the club ground staff as a 15- year-old in 1960.
Smith went on to become the first Liverpool captain to lift a European trophy when Bill Shankly’s side won the League and UEFA Cup double in 1973.
His first major impact came in November 1964, when he went out as an extra defender in the No 10 shirt to face Anderlecht in the European Cup, the first time the team had worn all-red.
The Belgians were baffled by Smith’s role and fell to a 3-0 defeat.
Almost 13 years later, in fairytale fashion, he headed the decisive second goal in the 1977 European Cup Final on his 600th, and what many thought would be his last, Liverpool appearance.
Liverpool eventually captured the trophy for the first time against Borussia Moenchengladbach with a 3-1 victory and Smith was persuaded to play for a further season.
After the victory in Rome, he said: “I’ve changed my name to Roy of the Rovers”.
Made an MBE, he joined Swansea in 1978 and later spent a year as Liverpool youth coach.
His honours record at Liverpool was astonishing. During his 18-year spell at the club, he claimed four league title medals, two FA Cup winner’s medals, a European Cup winner’s medal, two UEFA Cup, three Charity Shield and one European Super Cup.
Former team-mate and room-mate Ian Callaghan said today: “I’m shocked to hear about this – he is so indestructible. But he is on the go all the time doing things.
“Only last week we were together for a lunch at the Crowne Plaza. Maybe this is just a little warning.
“Best wishes of all former players go to Smithy who we are sure will be up and about before long.”
http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0500liverpoolfc/0100news/tm_headline=tom...name_page.html
Get well soon
Jun 6 2007
by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
LIVERPOOL FC legend Tommy Smith was recovering in hospital today after suffering a heart attack.
The man nicknamed the Anfield Iron collapsed at his Crosby home yesterday afternoon while mowing the lawn.
The 62-year-old crawled into the house where wife Sue dialled an ambulance, which took him to Fazakerley hospital.
He is expected to be back home by the weekend.
One of Liverpool’s greatest servants and an ECHO columnist for more than 20 years, Smith had been complaining of discomfort in his chest for several days.
But he dismissed the problems as indigestion.
Smith made 637 first team appearances for the club – and as a result suffers from painful rheumatoid arthritis for which he takes daily medication.
His flint-like attitude and committed tackling earned him the nickname “Anfield Iron” and spawned a thousand stories of his rugged approach to the game.
But he was also blessed with a subtle touch and keen tactical brain.
Born just a mile from Anfield, he joined the club ground staff as a 15- year-old in 1960.
Smith went on to become the first Liverpool captain to lift a European trophy when Bill Shankly’s side won the League and UEFA Cup double in 1973.
His first major impact came in November 1964, when he went out as an extra defender in the No 10 shirt to face Anderlecht in the European Cup, the first time the team had worn all-red.
The Belgians were baffled by Smith’s role and fell to a 3-0 defeat.
Almost 13 years later, in fairytale fashion, he headed the decisive second goal in the 1977 European Cup Final on his 600th, and what many thought would be his last, Liverpool appearance.
Liverpool eventually captured the trophy for the first time against Borussia Moenchengladbach with a 3-1 victory and Smith was persuaded to play for a further season.
After the victory in Rome, he said: “I’ve changed my name to Roy of the Rovers”.
Made an MBE, he joined Swansea in 1978 and later spent a year as Liverpool youth coach.
His honours record at Liverpool was astonishing. During his 18-year spell at the club, he claimed four league title medals, two FA Cup winner’s medals, a European Cup winner’s medal, two UEFA Cup, three Charity Shield and one European Super Cup.
Former team-mate and room-mate Ian Callaghan said today: “I’m shocked to hear about this – he is so indestructible. But he is on the go all the time doing things.
“Only last week we were together for a lunch at the Crowne Plaza. Maybe this is just a little warning.
“Best wishes of all former players go to Smithy who we are sure will be up and about before long.”
http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0500liverpoolfc/0100news/tm_headline=tom...name_page.html
Get well soon
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