Sammy Smyth

Irish Footballers that Played for Liverpool - Sammy Smyth

Sammy Smyth - Introduction

Sammy Smyth was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland on 25 February 1925. He was an inside forward and had already established himself in the English football scene with Wolverhampton Wanderers and Stoke City. The 27 year old Sammy Smyth signed for Liverpool in December 1952 from Stoke for a transfer fee of £12,000. Don Welsh was the manager at Anfield at the time.

Sammy Smyth & Liverpool

Sammy Smyth made his Liverpool debut on 3 January 1953 against his former club Stoke City at the Victoria Ground. It wasn't a pleasant debut for the Ulsterman as the home team ran out 3-1 winners. Despite this Smyth retained his position in the struggling Liverpool team and made a total of 18 appearances in the second half of the 1953/54 season.

Sammy Smyth scored his first goal for Liverpool on 7 February 1953 against Middlesborough. It was a vital goal as the Reds squeaked a 2-3 win at Ayrsome Park. Smyth scored seven goals in his first season some of which were vital to Liverpool's survival in the First Division in the 1953/54 season.

In the following season Smyth made 26 appearances in the

League and bagged 13 goals along the way. This made him Liverpool's top scorer that season from a limited number of appearances. Despite his efforts Liverpool were relegated to the Second Division as they finished in last place in the League. Sammy Smyth's last match for Liverpool was the last League match of that relegation season. It was away to Blackpool at Bloomfield Road on 24 April 1954. Liverpool lost 3-0.

At the end of that ill-fated season Sammy Smyth was let go by Liverpool and he returned to Northern Ireland to play for Bangor.

Sammy Smyth - Northern Ireland Career

Sammy Smyth made his debut for Northern Ireland on 4 October 1947 against Scotland in the British Home Championship. It was a fantastic debut for Smyth as his first two international goals sealed a 2-0 win for the Irish at Windsor Park . He went on to play for his country on a further eight occasions scoring a total of five goals during his Irish international career. Following the victory in his debut for Northern Ireland he never tasted victory at international level again. He was also part of the Irish teams that were beaten 2-8 and 9-2, at home to Scotland, and away to England in successive World Cup qualifier matches late in 1949. Sammy Smyth's last match for Northern Ireland was on 20 November 1951 in a 2-0 loss to England.

Sammy Smyth - Liverpool & Northern Ireland Statistics