| Jacky Smith |
 John Smith was born sometime between 28th February, 1865, and 27th February, 1866, probably in Northern Ireland. * The midfielder initially joined Thistle for a short spell in the springtime of 1888. Aged 22 or 23, he made his first known appearance on Saturday, 10th March, 1888, in a 1-1 friendly draw at home to Airdrieonians. Amazingly, Jacky scored his only three goals for Thistle in the same match; on Friday, 16th March, 1888, in a 7-1 friendly win at home to County Derry. He played his last known game for the club on Saturday, 6th August, 1892, in a 5-2 friendly win at home to Celtic, having appeared for the Thistle on at least 69 occasions. His club-list included Westburn and Partick Thistle. Jacky died on Tuesday, 27th February, 1912, in Whiteinch, Glasgow, aged 46.
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 The son of William Smith (general labourer) and Margaret Smith (née Rourke). The documentation (including the 1901 census) suggests he was born in 1865 in Ireland, however we've searched the Irish Genealogy site from 1862 to 1867 without success, although some of the entries leave a lot to be desired and it's no easy task to find him! Jacky Smith played at one of Thistle's former grounds, Jordanvale, as a Westburn player in the late 1880s and enjoyed a number of seasons with Thistle; a guest/trial period in the springtime of 1888 being followed by a 3 year stint from 1889-1892. Thistle had a good arrangement with Westburn at this time, and a number of players flitted between the two clubs. Previewing the new season in September 1890, the Scottish Referee analysed the full squad, saying: “The half backs are a strong trio, of whom Cameron in the centre is perhaps the best, although Smith and Proudfoot are not by any way duffers.” During 1890-91 there was talk of him leaving for a club in Belfast, but it seems the move did not transpire as Jacky racked up 33 appearances during the season. A move to Belfast would have made sense; he was possibly born there and we know from contemporary accounts and life documents that Jacky was employed in the shipbuilding line. Perturbed at the new Scottish Football League to which Thistle had not been invited, Thistle were founder members of the alternative Scottish Alliance League. Jacky was in place for Thistle's first-ever season as a League club, 1891-92. 1,000 turned up to see Ayr versus Partick Thistle - but Jacky did not, much to the annoyance of the committee. 5,000 were at Inchview for the Glasgow Cup tie with Celtic but, again, Smith was unable to play for some unexplained reason. The Scottish Referee published some commentary from a Partick Thistle committee member: “We were sorry Smith was unable to play as right half. It would have completed our usual team; but still, we consider D. Freebairn played a capital substitute. It was said West Bromwich was after the former. He is employed in the shipbuilding line. His terms were a shipyard down to begin with. Negotiations are still pending, and we would be sorry to lose him.” Still, despite these setbacks, everything seemed to get smoothed out, and Jacky played 22 times in 1891-92, 15 competitive games and 7 friendlies. With regards to WBA, it seems Jacky could not be persuaded to give up his regular employment. The match secretary kept boxing day reserved for a visit from Queen's Park, whom Thistle had yet to beat on first team terms. “A severe tussle” ensued but Thistle lost again, albeit by just a single goal to none. The Scottish Referee opined: “Smith was the best of the halves, but has a bad habit, like his brother halves, of one time falling back on the backs, and hindering them, and at another, of coming too far forward.” Jacky appeared in the first game of the following season - a 5-2 friendly win over Celtic - but that was the last anyone ever seen of him in the first-team. Two years later, a report surfaced in the Scottish Referee of 20th August 1894: “Partick Thistle have just now a plethora of half-backs in reserve who are capable of stepping into the first eleven, should the present trio not prove capable. Jacky Smith played for the Swifts on Saturday after a year's retirement, and with a little training will be as good as ever.” In his personal life, Jacky married Jane Ferm on 2nd November 1895, in Glasgow. William was their first-born. Tragically, Jacky passed away early in 1912 due to cancer of the larynx, only in his mid-40s. He was laid to rest at Craigton Cemetery. David Hislop, his old team mate from Westburn and Partick Thistle, had passed away several months earlier, at a similarly young age. Brilliantly, in April 1912, Thistle and Rangers played a benefit match for the widows of both men, raising a sum of around £100 (about £10,000 in today's money). |
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