Matthew Smith (31 December 1897 – 16 May 1953) was a Scottish professional footballer who made over 410 appearances in the Scottish League for Kilmarnock as a forward.[2] He captained the club and is the only player to have won two major trophies during their time at Rugby Park.[3][1] He was capped by Scotland at junior level.[4] After retiring from football, Smith coached at Ardrossan Winton Rovers and returned to Kilmarnock as a scout.[5][1]
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Matthew Smith[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 31 December 1897 | ||
| Place of birth | Stevenston, Scotland | ||
| Date of death | 16 May 1953 (aged 55)[1] | ||
| Place of death | Kilmarnock, Scotland[2] | ||
| Position(s) | Forward | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| –1916 | Ardeer Thistle | ||
| 1916–1931 | Kilmarnock | 413 | (109) |
| 1931–1933 | Ayr United | 33 | (3) |
| 1933–1934 | Galston | ||
| International career | |||
| 1916 | Scotland Juniors | 1 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Personal life
Smith's grandson Gordon also became a professional footballer.[1]
Career statistics
| Club | Season[a] | League | Scottish Cup | Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Kilmarnock | 1916–17[3] | Scottish Division One | 35 | 11 | ― | 35 | 11 | |
| 1917–18[3] | 29 | 13 | ― | 29 | 13 | |||
| 1919–20[3] | 30 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 34 | 6 | ||
| 1920–21[3] | 38 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 38 | 10 | ||
| 1921–22[3] | 34 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 35 | 7 | ||
| 1922–23[3] | 36 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 39 | 6 | ||
| 1923–24[3] | 30 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 32 | 6 | ||
| 1924–25[3] | 36 | 14 | 3 | 1 | 39 | 15 | ||
| 1925–26[3] | 35 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 36 | 8 | ||
| 1926–27[3] | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 1927–28[3] | 26 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 29 | 5 | ||
| 1928–29[3] | 31 | 13 | 6 | 2 | 37 | 15 | ||
| 1929–30[3] | 37 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 38 | 10 | ||
| 1930–31[3] | 15 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 18 | 0 | ||
| Total | 413 | 109 | 24 | 6 | 437 | 115 | ||
| Ayr United | 1931–32[2] | Scottish Division One | 16 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 18 | 0 |
| 1932–33[2] | 17 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 20 | 3 | ||
| Total | 33 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 38 | 3 | ||
| Career total | 446 | 112 | 29 | 6 | 475 | 118 | ||
Honours
Kilmarnock