Doug Smith Player Profile

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Player Details

  • Full Name: Douglas Baigrie Smith
  • Born: March 9th, 1937 (Aberdeen)
  • Died: December 5th, 2012
  • Height: 5' 9
  • Position: Centre Half
  • Signed: June 17th, 1959
  • First Manager: Jerry Kerr
  • Career Totals: 628 appearances, 27 goals


Playing History

Season Win % Draw % Loss %
1975-76 11 (1) 0 0 0 25.0% 41.7% 33.3%
1974-75 32 (1) 1 0 0 42.4% 30.3% 27.3%
1973-74 43 6 0 0 48.8% 23.3% 27.9%
1972-73 42 9 0 0 47.6% 19.0% 33.3%
1971-72 33 2 0 0 33.3% 21.2% 45.5%
1970-71 48 6 0 0 37.5% 33.3% 29.2%
1969-70 44 1 0 0 43.2% 13.6% 43.2%
1968-69 42 0 0 0 50.0% 21.4% 28.6%
1967-68 42 1 0 0 28.6% 28.6% 42.9%
1966-67 48 0 0 0 45.8% 22.9% 31.3%
1965-66 43 0 0 0 51.2% 16.3% 32.6%
1964-65 55 0 0 0 56.4% 12.7% 30.9%
1963-64 47 0 0 0 38.3% 25.5% 36.2%
1962-63 47 1 0 0 44.7% 31.9% 23.4%
1961-62 40 0 0 0 32.5% 20.0% 47.5%
1960-61 6 0 0 0 33.3% 33.3% 33.3%
1959-60 2 0 0 0 0.0% 0.0% 100.0%
1958-59 1 0 0 0 0.0% 100.0% 0.0%
Totals: 626 (2) 27


 Apps = First Team Appearances (Sub Appearances) | Gls = Goals
 Cln = Clean Sheets | CtGR = Clean Sheets to Games Ratio | W/D/L - Games won, drawn or lost as percentage of games played in
 Yel = Yellow Cards/Cautions | Red = Red Cards/Dismissals

 Recent First Team Starts
 31/01/76 Premier Division vs. Celtic (A) 1 - 2
 17/01/76 Premier Division vs. Motherwell (H) 1 - 4
 10/01/76 Premier Division vs. Aberdeen (A) 3 - 5
 01/01/76 Premier Division vs. St Johnstone (A) 1 - 1
 27/12/75 Premier Division vs. Rangers (H) 0 - 0

 Recent First Team Goals
 31/08/74 Division One vs. Motherwell (H) 5 - 0
 17/04/74 Division One vs. Arbroath (H) 3 - 1
 09/04/74 Semi Final Replay vs. Hearts (N) 4 - 2
 30/03/74 Division One vs. Ayr Utd (H) 2 - 1
 16/03/74 Division One vs. Hearts (H) 3 - 3

 List of Goals Scored (click to expand)
 31/08/74 Division One vs. Motherwell (H)  5 - 0
 17/04/74 Division One vs. Arbroath (H)  3 - 1
 09/04/74 Semi Final Replay vs. Hearts (N)  4 - 2
 30/03/74 Division One vs. Ayr Utd (H)  2 - 1
 16/03/74 Division One vs. Hearts (H)  3 - 3
 26/01/74 3rd Round vs. Airdrie (H)  4 - 1
 29/08/73 Sectional Tie vs. East Fife (H)  5 - 2
 23/12/72 Division One vs. Dumbarton (H)  3 - 2
 28/10/72 Division One vs. Ayr Utd (H)  2 - 1
 14/10/72 Division One vs. Hearts (H)  3 - 2
 30/09/72 Division One vs. Morton (H)  1 - 0
 27/09/72 1st Round 2nd Leg vs. Leicester City (H)  2 - 2
 09/09/72 Division One vs. St Johnstone (A)  3 - 1
 19/08/72 Sectional Tie vs. Stenhousemuir (H)  5 - 0
 16/08/72 Sectional Tie vs. Kilmarnock (A)  3 - 2
 12/08/72 Sectional Tie vs. Dunfermline (H)  2 - 0
 22/04/72 Division One vs. Aberdeen (H)  2 - 0
 11/09/71 Division One vs. Dundee (A)  4 - 6
 17/04/71 Division One vs. Falkirk (H)  3 - 1
 14/04/71 Division One vs. Clyde (H)  1 - 0
 03/04/71 Division One vs. Cowdenbeath (H)  4 - 2
 13/02/71 4th Round vs. Aberdeen (H)  1 - 1
 07/11/70 Division One vs. Ayr Utd (H)  4 - 2
 29/08/70 Division One vs. Hibernian (H)  1 - 1
 31/01/70 Division One vs. Morton (H)  5 - 4
 30/08/67 Sectional Tie vs. Aberdeen (A)  2 - 2
 01/05/63 Division One vs. Kilmarnock (A)  2 - 2

 List of Games Played
Sorry, there are too many games to display for this player.


Biography

Doug made his first appearance as a trialist against Alloa Athletic in April 1959, playing alongside his former Aberdeen Lads Club team mate, Ron Yeats. Two months later he became Jerry Kerr's third signing, and for two years was understudy to Yeats, becoming his natural successor when Ron left to join Liverpool in July 1961, Over the next fifteen years, he was a mainstay in the side and incredibly, missed only four competitive games in a ten year spell as he went on to break every appearance record at the Club.

Throughout the 1960s, he played at the heart of an ever-improving United side, who reached the Club's first ever Scottish Cup semi-final in 1963, League Cup semi-final in 1964, the Summer Cup final in 1965, and finished in the Club's highest ever league position in 1965, seeing them qualify for European football for the first time in the Club's history. In 1966, Doug was in the United line up that humbled Barcelona, becoming the first British club to win in Spain, and followed that up with a home win for a famous double victory. Also playing in both legs against Juventus in the next round, he was a member of the squad that travelled to the United States to represent Dallas Tornado in the emerging United Soccer Association.

In the late 1960s he became Club captain as the teams colours changed from white and black to the iconic tangerine, and returned to the European scene, playing against Newcastle United, Grasshoppers of Zurich and Sparta Prague over the next two seasons.

Into his second decade with United, he was still a regular in the side under new manager Jim McLean, and was by then the regular penalty taker, rarely missing from the spot. Recognised as one of the country’s best uncapped players, one of his proudest moments was when he led United out for the Club’s first Scottish Cup final in May 1974.

Having declined a move to Raith Rovers in October 1975, he was eventually released in May 1976, having spent fully seventeen years at United. Although he left without winning a major honour, Doug had one major distinction - he was never booked in a career spanning over 600 games in major competition. In August 1977 he was granted a testimonial, in which several former players and current stars from other Scottish Premier League sides took part. Doug's younger brother Dave, who played for Aberdeen and Rangers during the 1960s and 1970s, also turned out for Doug's Select side.

In 1983, he returned to United as a Director and remained on the Board until 2002, spending the last two years as Chairman. Well respected in Scottish football, after serving on various national committees, he became President of the Scottish League in 1997.

He ranks fifth in United's all time appearances chart, and was included in the first group of players inducted into the Dundee United Hall of Fame in January 2008.

Last updated on Tuesday, October 15th, 2019 by B Orr.





Debut

April 22nd, 1959
Dundee United 1 - 1 Alloa Athletic

League (Division Two)


Timeline

  • Date of Birth


    Doug was born on this date in Aberdeen.

    Tuesday, March 9th, 1937

  • First Team Debut

    Dundee United 1 - 1 Alloa Athletic
    League (Division Two)

    Wednesday, April 22nd, 1959

  • Signed For Dundee United

    Wednesday, June 17th, 1959

  • 50th Appearance

    Dundee United 3 - 2 Dundee
    League Cup (Sectional Tie)

    Saturday, August 11th, 1962

  • 50th League Appearance

    Dundee United 8 - 1 Raith Rovers
    League (Division One)

    United recorded only their second win of the league campaign against a Raith Rovers side who looked all at sea for most of the game. The game was approaching the half hour mark when United con

    Saturday, October 27th, 1962

  • First Goal

    Kilmarnock 2 - 2 Dundee United
    League (Division One)

    Wednesday, May 1st, 1963

  • 100th Appearance

    St Mirren 2 - 1 Dundee United
    League (Division One)

    Wednesday, August 21st, 1963

  • 100th League Appearance

    Dundee United 4 - 1 Motherwell
    League (Division One)

    Saturday, February 22nd, 1964

  • 200th Appearance

    Dundee 0 - 0 Dundee United
    League Cup (Sectional Tie)

    Wednesday, August 18th, 1965

  • 200th League Appearance

    Dunfermline 3 - 3 Dundee United
    League (Division One)

    Saturday, February 25th, 1967

  • 300th Appearance

    Dundee United 3 - 2 Morton
    League (Division One)

    Saturday, October 7th, 1967

  • 400th Appearance

    St Johnstone 1 - 0 Dundee United
    League (Division One)

    Despite the overall disappointment to the Tayside following, the final scoreline was a fair reflection of this Ne'er Day clash. Certainly the nine thousand onlookers enjoyed the fare.During th

    Thursday, January 1st, 1970

  • 300th League Appearance

    Airdrie 6 - 3 Dundee United
    League (Division One)

    It isn't often that someone hits a hat-trick, but finishes on the losing side, but that was the fate of United forward lan Mitchell at Broomfield. Airdrie went ahead thanks to a Drew Jarvie

    Saturday, January 17th, 1970

  • 500th Appearance

    Kilmarnock 2 - 3 Dundee United
    League Cup (Sectional Tie)

    Wednesday, August 16th, 1972

  • 400th League Appearance

    Rangers 2 - 1 Dundee United
    League (Division One)

    Our six match unbeaten run came to an end at the hands of Rangers who were in hot pursuit of Celtic at the top of the league. All the action came in the second half with John Greig the home her

    Saturday, April 14th, 1973

  • Last Goal

    Dundee United 5 - 0 Motherwell
    League (Division One)

    Four goals by Andy Gray, Pat Gardner, Dave Narey and a

    Saturday, August 31st, 1974

  • 600th Appearance

    Dundee United 0 - 0 Bursaspor
    Cup Winners' Cup (2nd Round 2nd Leg)

    Dundee United made things difficult for themselves in this first leg tie at Tannadice. Bursaspor made it clear from the outset that they had arrived in Scotland content to hold out for a draw.

    Wednesday, October 23rd, 1974

  • Last Appearance

    Celtic 2 - 1 Dundee United
    League (Premier Division)

    Saturday, January 31st, 1976

  • Date of Death


    Doug died on this date

    Wednesday, December 5th, 2012