Malcolm Smith (footballer, born 1953)

As a 18 year old, Stan Anderson gave Malcolm his full league debut for Middlesbrough in August 1972  - against local rivals Sunderland at a packed Ayresome Park. It was a dream debut, Malcolm scoring both goals for the Boro in a 2-1 win. However one of Middlesbrough most successful seasons was 1973/4. England Legend Jack Charlton had taken over as manager - his first season as a manager - and he moulded and organised the squad into a team that is widely recognised as one of the best in the club’s history. Jack successfully steered the club back to the First Division, as record breaking champions, creating new club and division records. Malcolm was very much a part of Jack’s main squad of just 13 regular players and in that memorable season he played or was sub in 28 games scoring 6 goals and collected a Division Two Champions winning medal.

The following season proved frustrating with limited starts and so Malcolm persuaded Jack to allow him to go out on loan to gain more game time. After the success of a month long loan to Blackpool (5 goals in 8 games) the Blackpool manager Harry Potts was keen to make the transfer permanent, but the Blackpool directors were unable to raise the transfer fee.

When Harry Potts returned to Lancashire rivals Burnley ,initially as chief scout, he recommended that Burnley sign Malcolm on loan in November 1976. Potts , once again appointed manager, then made the deal permanent in February 1977. Prior to the transfer to Burnley, Malcolm spent the summer on loan at Portland Timbers playing in the North American Soccer League (NASL). Playing in this league offered him the opportunity and experience to play against some of the football’s all time greats including Pele, Eusebio, Bobby Moore and George Best.

After 4 years at Burnley playing over a 100 games scoring 20 goals and wanting to return to the North East, Malcolm signed for York City before retiring from football early to concentrate and develop his business interests.