The football club have just been made aware of the death over the weekend of our former goalkeeper Geoff Smith.
Smith joined City in December 1952 following an successful second trial with the club, having played as an amateur for Nelson and Rossendale United.
His original trial in 1948 ended in failure. He was signed as an amateur by manager Ivor Powell and made his debut in January 1953 in a 4-0 defeat at Scunthorpe United.
He began the 1953-54 season as first choice and made 214 consecutive league and cup appearances before injury forced him out for a couple of games in October 1958.
In all Geoff made 270 league and cup appearances for City, he kept 70 clean sheets which was a great effort in a time when football was predominately attack versus defence. His record of clean sheets was only beaten by Paul Tomlinson.
Saturday’s edition of The Parader for the Wolverhampton Wanderers match will carry a more in depth tribute to City’s former goalkeeper.
Mr Smith died over the weekend aged 85. The club extends it’s condolences to Geoff’s wife Margaret and family.