Jim Smith RIP

[chaddyrovers]

RIP Jim Smith. 

[old darwen blue]

Jimmy Smiths Blue and White Army

RIP

[jim mk2]

Interviewed him a couple of times. Always friendly, polite, a good man.

His Rovers team with Hird and Bailey as attacking full backs was exciting to watch.

After Ron Saunders another one gone from that era. 

RIP Jim.  

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

R.I.P.

A sad day indeed when any member of the Rovers family checks out for good.

[RevidgeBlue]

Sad news, his teams played entertaining football which made today's version lseem extremely drab in comparison.

If memory serves me correctly the only thing preventing us from making a sustained promotion push for the top division in his time was the lack of a prolific goalscorer. The Board of the day refused to back him in a move for Steve Kindon I seem to recall.

Two things stick in my mind about Jim. Firstly that famous 3-2 win at Turf Moor Boxing Day 1977. The managers had to walk diagonally across one half of the pitch to get to the dug outs and the reception the bald eagle received from the Rovers fans packed into one half of the Longsight stand as he walked across the pitch was like nothing I'd seen before or since.

Secondly, fuelled by the impetuosity of youth I wrote to Jim at one point suggesting players we could possibly sign. I certainly never expected a reply but much to my surprise and delight received a beautifully typed letter on Club notepaper detailing individually why it was not practical to sign the players I'd mentioned. Signed with a flourish from the fountain pen of the man himself. You couldn't imagine a manager even reading such correspondence  these days let alone going to such trouble to reply.

RIP.

[rigger]

Thanks for the memories.

[jim mk2]

19 minutes ago, RevidgeBlue said:

Secondly, fuelled by the impetuosity of youth I wrote to Jim at one point suggesting players we could possibly sign. I certainly never expected a reply but much to my surprise and delight received a beautifully typed letter on Club notepaper detailing individually why it was not practical to sign the players I'd mentioned. Signed with a flourish from the fountain pen of the man himself. You couldn't imagine a manager even reading such correspondence  these days let alone going to such trouble to reply.

RIP.

 Great story and a fantastic thing to receive when you're young. It's little touches like that which make such a difference and binds you to a club for life. You're right - it's very unlikely to happen now. 

[Rogerb]

4 hours ago, jim mk2 said:

 Great story and a fantastic thing to receive when you're young. It's little touches like that which make such a difference and binds you to a club for life. You're right - it's very unlikely to happen now. 

I too wrote to Jim asking why he had dropped Noel Brotherston. He graciously replied giving his reasons.

[DeeCee]

Was on the news bulletins on the radio through the night, mentioned clubs he had managed, never mentioned Rovers.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

Just now, DeeCee said:

Was on the news bulletins on the radio through the night, mentioned clubs he had managed, never mentioned Rovers.

In my paper today - " Jim Smith the former Birmingham, Oxford, QPR, Newcastle, Portsmouth and Derby manager, who has died at the age of 79 ".

Being fair to them further on in the article it does mention lots about his early career, first as a player then manager at Boston, Colchester and then Rovers. Strange not to include Rovers in the first paragraph though.

[AggyBlue]

RIP Jim.

I loved watching your Rovers teams.

With the attacking fullbacks Hird and Bailey along with Taylor, Wagstaffe and Brotherston it was like we played with five wingers, a real joy to watch.

[rigger]

38 minutes ago, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

In my paper today - " Jim Smith the former Birmingham, Oxford, QPR, Newcastle, Portsmouth and Derby manager, who has died at the age of 79 ".

Being fair to them further on in the article it does mention lots about his early career, first as a player then manager at Boston, Colchester and then Rovers. Strange not to include Rovers in the first paragraph though.

I don't understand how people are surprised that the media don't like us. They haven't done since the northern horde arrived in town. 

[Vinjay]

On 11/12/2019 at 17:51, rigger said:

I don't understand how people are surprised that the media don't like us. They haven't done since the northern horde arrived in town. 

Man United loving stooges.

Edited December 5, 2024 by Vinjay

[perthblue02]

19 hours ago, m1st said:

Is there NObody connected with the club or the Community Trust who can refurbish this bench so that it's a proper commemoration of one of the best players to wear blue and white in the last quarter or the 20th Century?

Come on, Venky's; you bought us lock, stock and barrel. If you bought a Premier League club - which we were, before you sacked Big Sam and replaced him with that nonentity whose name I choose not to repeat - you also bought our history. It surely wouldn't break your bank to refurbish this bench commemorating one of our most popular players of the last quarter of the 20th Century.

Wonder who actually is responsible for the upkeep of the bench, Blackburn council? Looks like from the plaque it was donated by the family.

Anybody in touch with any of the Noel's family ,maybe we (BRFCS members )can chip in and get it restored 

Edited December 11, 2019 by perthblue02

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

48 minutes ago, Vinjay said:

United loving stooges.

.....and Citeh!

Nice idea about BRFCS getting involved with its restoration Perth,can we organise anything mods?

Edited December 11, 2019 by SIMON GARNERS 194

[tonygreenbank]

 

Always very sad to hear the passing of someone associated with our club. Some incredible memories from his time with us. Who could ever forget the 3-2 win at Burnley and the loudest noise I’ve ever heard from our fans at an away game? The signings of Taylor and Wagstaffe; the pairing of Hird and Bailey. The 1-0 win at Bolton when Waddington got the winner and probably saved us from relegation in Jim Smiths first season in charge. The signing of Brotherstone from Spurs on a free transfer. 
RIP Jim Smith

[Leonard Venkhater]

14 hours ago, tonygreenbank said:

 

Always very sad to hear the passing of someone associated with our club. Some incredible memories from his time with us. Who could ever forget the 3-2 win at Burnley and the loudest noise I’ve ever heard from our fans at an away game? The signings of Taylor and Wagstaffe; the pairing of Hird and Bailey. The 1-0 win at Bolton when Waddington got the winner and probably saved us from relegation in Jim Smiths first season in charge. The signing of Brotherstone from Spurs on a free transfer. 
RIP Jim Smith

Great, great memories..

[Herbie6590]