Breaking News Dave Smith Southend United Manager RIP

[The Big Dady]

Shrimpers lose one of their own, Southend United's manger Dave Smith 1976-83 has passed away at the age of 88.

Dave took us up as Champions in the 1980-81 season one of the most successful seasons in the club's history as they won the Fourth Division Championship in 1981, breaking a series of over 20 club records in the process. This was our clubs first ever trophy in the Football League.

That season we won 30 out of 46 games, scoring 79 goals a conceding just 31 goals. Who will forget those two games against Liverpool in 79?

RIP Dave Smith Southend United Manager 1976-83​

Dave Smith's winning side promoted as Champions 1980-81


Dave Smith (Manager) lifting the Trophy with John Lattimer (Trainer)

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[Chrisb]

Great memories of this man and the very special team he put together, quite possibly our best ever.

 

[RHB]

A truly great Southend manager who will be remembered fondly by all of us lucky enough to be Shrimpers during his reign. Weirdly, one of my abiding memories of Dave Smith was his cameo appearance every week at the start of Match of the Day. He'd be there on the bench and I'd watch that and think that's our manager on Match of the Day, always a proud watch moment! RIP Dave, I hope you're pacing the manager's area in front of the Southend stand in the sky now.

 

[40yearsafan]

Condolences to Dave's family and friends. Watching Dave's teams as a teenager was foundational to my love of the Blues.
RIP Dave, absolute legend. X

 

[Fairport]

One of our best, he put together a wonderful team and was a friendly guy and a real football man RIP DS.

 

[Billy Bests boot laces]

Shrimpers lose one of their own, Southend United's manger Dave Smith 1976-83 has passed away at the age of 88. Dave took us up as Champions in the 1980-81 season one of the most successful seasons in the club's history as they won the Fourth Division Championship in 1981, breaking a series of club records in the process. This was our clubs first ever trophy in the Football League. That season we won 30 out of 46 games, scoring 79 goals a conceding just 31 goals. Who will forget those two games against Liverpool in 79?

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RIP Dave Smith Southend United Manager 1976-83​

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Dave Smith's winning side promoted as Champions 1980-81

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Dave Smith lifting the Trophy

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23 home games that season, we won 19 & drew 4. Never dropped a point until Dec/Jan.
Only season since i started going in 67, that we had an unbeaten home record.
When he got Plymouth promoted, i wrote to him congratulating him, & got a reply signed 'the cider man', as he was called there!.
R.I.P Dave, top man.

 

[happydays]

I was Mascot under Dave smith what a wonderful bloke he was

 

[mfurok]

RIP Dave. Many thanks for the superb memories.

 

[OldBlueLady]

The era when I really fell in love with our blue boys. RIP Dave Smith.

 

[Chris Powell's mate]

What a great time that was!
My non-supporting Southend mates called him Max Wall, but he was no joker when it came to forging a strong, winning side.
Looking at the team pic above; the lesson is clear. You need a strong physical presence and a bit of flair for the lower divisions.
DS understood that.
RIP

 

[Suffolk Shrimper In Dorset]

A top Shrimper, a true gent, and loved equally at other clubs too.

That 1978 match of the day match at Watford, that night in the snow v Liverpool, that fantastic record breaking 80-81 season ... so many memories.

He put together small squads of quality that fought for each other, and it was a wonderful day in March 2019 when we held 'Smithy's Army Day' at Roots Hall with 20 of his players again coming together.

RIP Dave

 

[Mr Browns Ghost]

What a man what a man RIP

 

[Ipswhrimp]

R.I.P, Dave. :(

 

[Gt Yarmouth Shrimper]

The era when I really fell in love with our blue boys. RIP Dave Smith.

Ditto.

 

[Dave Smiths Love Child]

My SZ name says it all

Thank you for the wonder years

 

[Sussexshrimper]

As someone has already said ...it also forged my love for the blues watching dave smiths sides...my condolences to his family ...
Dave Smith knew how to build teams ...I always wished he had been the man to get us
To the promised land ( 2nd division as it was called then ) we went on a great run towards
The end of 81 /82 season and were in with a shout of getting promoted ..I think in the end we came 7th . It was the rubin brothers who cashed in on cusack and outalakawski ( if I spelt that right ) to Millwall for peanuts , that disgruntled him ..we should have kept him as manager ..I think the club sacked him by fax when he was on holiday with his wife !!

 

[Pak Power]

R:I:P. Dave , condolences to his nearest and dearest,

David Smith’s Red Blue and white army
( as a bye note was this the only time we had red in our scarves?)

 

[thenobster]

The era when I really fell in love with our blue boys. RIP Dave Smith.

Exactly this! RIP Dave. Thank you for your memories

 

[Murkey_Mouse]

Apparently if Dave Smith had an backing, he would ended up taking Southend all the way into First Division for first time ever!!

 

[* ORM *]

R.I.P. someone that is deserving of legendary status both at S.U.F.C., Plymouth and football in general. For those too young we’ve had far too many managers that we’ve wanted to forget. Smith ranks as one of the best ever and a minute’s silence doesn’t do justice. He was still giving back to football long after retiring as a football manager.

Applause on 23 or 81 minutes would be a fitting tribute.