Reds Legend Tommy Smith Passes Away

The Anfield Iron will be deeply missed.

Reds worldwide are currently in mourning as news was released that club legend Tommy Smith has passed away. The defender known as the Anfield Iron passed away quietly this afternoon in Merseyside.

Smith is an absolute club icon for Liverpool, owner of 9 trophies/medals during his long and storied term with the club. A Scouser himself, Smith was part of the squads that secured the first FA trophy (under manager Bill Shankly) and the first UEFA trophy (under manager Bob Paisley) in the club’s history. Smith was also the captain of the club for three years.

The career highlights are numerous for someone like Tommy Smith but one that stands out in most retellings is how he scored in the UEFA Cup Final against Borussia Monchengladbach. It feels oddly paradoxical to note that the legendary defender’s most iconic moment would be a goal scored, but given his reputation of being a scraper it feels apt. After all most people count that goal as the one that turned the tide for the Reds who would go on to win the match and claim their first European trophy.

Tributes are pouring in from all over and I’m sure more superlatives in remembrance will be shared. Sir Kenny Dalglish has released a statement via the club’s official site that is worth a read. Here’s a small excerpt in which we get to see a side of Smith that most fans likely didn’t get to see:

“When I came down in ’77 he was an integral part of the dressing room and him and Souey looked after my wife Marina and I, helped us settle in and took us round about the area to see if we could find a house to move into.”

Leadership. Grit. Skill. All words that are fitting in any tribute for the Anfield Iron.

Source: liverpooloffside.sbnation.com