Colin Smith (English footballer, born 1951)

Colin Smith (born 30 November 1951) is an English former footballer who played as a defender in the Football League for Darlington.

Smith was born in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, and attended Bishop Auckland Grammar School. He joined Leeds United as a 15-year-old,[2] and became an apprentice professional in 1969,[1] but did not progress to the first team. He chose not to continue a football career, instead training as a teacher. After qualifying, he worked in special needs education, and played non-league football for clubs including Stockton, Gateshead, Bishop Auckland, West Auckland Town and Shildon, as well as winning the 1976 FA Sunday Cup with Brandon United.[2][3]

In the 1984–85 season, he made five appearances for Football League club Darlington. Three were in the Associate Members' Cup and two – a 2–1 win at home to Peterborough United and a defeat by the same score away to Northampton Town – were in the Fourth Division.[4]

Smith's wife, Dela Smith, was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 2001 for services to education for children with special educational needs.[2][5][6]