Keith Smith (rugby player)

Rugger
name = Keith Smith


caption =
birthname = Keith Smith
nickname =
dateofbirth = 17th Nov 1952
placeofbirth = Leeds, Yorkshire, England
dateofdeath = 2nd June 2006
placeofdeath = St. Gemma's Hospice, Leeds
height = 6"3'
weight =
ru_position = Inside and Outside Center
ru_amateuryears = 1972-76
ru_amateurclubs = Roundhay
ru_amupdate = 11 September 2006
ru_nationalteam = England
ru_nationalyears = 1974-75
ru_nationalcaps = 4
ru_nationalpoints =
ru_ntupdate = 11 September 2006
ru_clubyears =
ru_proclubs =
ru_clubcaps =
ru_clubpoints =
ru_clubupdate = 11 September 2006
ru_currentclub =
ru_coachclubs = East Leeds ARLFC, Easy Road.
ru_coachyears =
ru_coachupdate = 11 September 2006
rl_position = Centre
rl_clubupdate = 11 September 2006
rl_nationalteam = England
rl_nationalyears = 1979
rl_nationalcaps = 1
rl_nationalpoints =
rl_ntupdate = 11 September 2006
rl_amateuryears =
rl_amateurclubs =
rl_amupdate = 11 September 2006
rl_clubyears = 1977-1979
rl_proclubs = Wakefield Trinity
rl_clubcaps =
rl_clubpoints =
rl_clubupdate = 11 September 2006
rl_coachupdate = 11 September 2006
rl_coachclubs =
rl_coachyears =
rl_coachupdate = 11 September 2006
other =
occupation =
family =
spouse = Diane
children = Craig, Gemma, Simon, Clare
relatives =
school =
university =

Keith Smith (1952-2006) was a former English rugby player; he excelled in playing centre. He first played with Yorkshire Colts rugby then advanced to Roundhay. It was from that side that he was selected to play in the English international ranks.

His Roundhay debut was against local rivals West Leeds Old Boys in 1972. The last of his eventual 85 games was played was against Gosforth in 1976 for the National Cup. He eventually played 14 times for Yorkshire.

His first English appearance was a disappointing 12-12 draw against France played at Parc des Princes in Paris on March 2, 1974. In this game his center pairing was Coventry’s Geoff Evans. Peter Squires and Alan Old also played alongside him, they were both from his Yorkshire club. The following day over 200 people, many rugby supporters returning from the match, were killed in an air crash over Northern France.

Smith then went on the play for England against Wales at Twickenham two weeks later and added two more caps against Wales in Cardiff in 1975 and then playing against Scotland at Twickenham the following game.

Smith’s trademark skill was an irresistible dummy and a beautiful pair of hands, while his ability to glide through the tightest defenses made him a valuable center.

He transferred those skills to rugby league when he joined Wakefield Trinity and also represented England league before becoming a postman and spending time coaching junior rugby league in East Leeds. Keith was diagnosed with cancer, and died in 2006 at St. Gemma's Hospice, Leeds, aged 53.

ources

* [http://www.rfu.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/RFUHome.News_Detail/StoryID/14134 RFU]
* [http://www.wakefieldtoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=703&ArticleID=1551763 Wakefield Today]