Ron Smith, one of the heroes of the Southport Football Club’s team which reached the Fifth Round of the FA Cup in 1965-66 season and went on to gain promotion the following season, died on 17th August aged 90.
Ron was born in Garston on 7th June 1936. He attended Gilmour Secondary Modern school along with Bobby Murdoch who was with Southport in 1962-63 season. On leaving school he worked as a railway fireman turning out for a railway team in the Shipping League. There he did sufficiently well to be offered a trial with Stoke City “A”. He served with the First Battalion, King’s Regiment during National Service. He was signed by Liverpool as an Amateur by Manager, Don Welsh, turning professional in December 1957. Welsh subsequently took him to Bournemouth in May 1959. After two seasons with the Cherries, he was transferred to Crewe Alexandra and was a member of the Alex side which gained promotion in 1962-63 for the first time in their history. His bold raids often caused Southport problems when he was with the Railwaymen.
Early in 1963/64 season Ron was transferred to Port Vale where he was a playing colleague of Billy Bingham. Ron Signed for Southport shortly after Bingham was appointed Trainer Coach at Haig Avenue. Ron soon became a firm favourite with the Southport fans. He played in all 54 League and Cup games in 1965/66. He netted twice in the thrilling 3-3 draw with Stockport County in Round Two and headed Southport’s second goal in the never-to-be forgotten 2-0 win over Second Division Cardiff City in Round Four.
Ron was a regular in Southport’s team which won promotion the following season until Stuart Shaw was signed and with Billy Bingham only operating one winger he dropped out of the side in February 1967. During the campaign he scored one of the all-time freak goals when his cross from near the corner flag drifted inside the near post for an astonishing winner against Chester. Released at the end of the season after completing 259 Football League appearances and scoring 37 goals, he went on to play for Netherfield then spent three seasons with Altrincham.
Ron continued to play football into his forties having three spells with Formby as well as being their manager, running the Reserves and under 12s. In 1977 he was playing full-back at Fleetwood Hesketh in the same team as his old playing colleague, Arthur Peat.
When his footballing days were over Ron worked on the docks and ran a team in the Zingari Alliance and then played in the Business Houses League when working for Bibbys. Whilst working on the Docks Ron had a lucky escape when a grain hopper he was unblocking discharged its contents and buried him alive. Fortunately, the prompt action of a workmate kept him free to breathe until he was dug out.
Back in November 2021 Ron, then in the early stages of dementia, attended Haig Avenue where I had the privilege of interviewing him. He acknowledged the great influence that Billy Bingham had on him and indeed the entire staff during his time at the club. He had fond memories of his goal against Cardiff City and said that the happiest days in his long football career were spent at Southport.
Ron is survived by his sons Paul and Colin. His wife Doreen, to whom he was married for sixty six years, predeceased him. Ron’s funeral will take place at St Peter’s Church, Formby at 1pm on 9th September, followed by a cremation at the Southport Crematorium.
