21.12.14

G.O Smith

G.O Smith transformed the role of the centre-forward from that of an individual striker into a unifier of the forward line, indeed the whole team.
 The Dictionary of National Biography
He was a maker rather than a scorer of goals.
The Times 

G.O Smith was widely held to be the greatest centre forward of his age and the greatest player of the 19th century.
Smith was an amateur who played for Oxford University , Old Carthusians and Corinthians. 
He made a total of 20 appearances for England (scoring 11 goals), between 1893 and 1901.

Match






Goal
1
25.02.93
England
6
1
Ireland
Perry Bar
1
Smith, playing as inside right, scored England’s 4th goal on 43 minutes. 20 years, 92 days on debut.

2
12.03.94
Wales
1
5
England
Racecourse

Smith was at centre forward.

3
07.04.94
Scotland
2
2
England
Celtic Park

John Goodall was at centre forward, Smith reverting to inside right.

4
05.03.95
England
1
1
Wales
Queen's Club

Smith was at centre forward. He played the rest of his internationals in this position. 

5
07.03.96
Ireland
0
2
England
Solitude, Belfast
2
Smith scored England’s first on 40 minutes, there were 3 years between his 1st and 2nd international goals.

6
16.03.96
Wales
1
9
England *
Cardiff Arms Park
4
Smith’s first game as captain saw him score England’s 1st (15 min) and 5th (44 min).

7
04.04.96
Scotland
2
1
England*
Celtic Park


8
20.02.97
England*
6
0
Ireland
Trent Bridge, Nottingham


9
29.03.97
England*
4
0
Wales
Bramall Lane, Sheffield


10
03.04.97
England*
1
2
Scotland
Crystal Palace









11
05.03.98
Ireland
2
3
England*
Solitude, Belfast
5
Almost 2 years since his previous international goal Smith equalised with England’s opening goal on 37 minutes.

12
28.03.98
Wales
0
3
England*
Racecourse
6
Smith opened the scoring in the 9th minute.

13
02.04.98
Scotland
1
2
England
Celtic Park

Charles Wreford-Brown replaced Smith as captain.

14
18.02.99
England *
13
2
Ireland
Roker Park, Sunderland
10
Smith put England 4-0 ahead in the 32nd minute and added 3 rapid goals (59, 60 and 63) at which point England led 11-0.

15
20.03.99
England*
4
0
Wales
Ashton Gate, Bristol


16
08.04.99
England*
2
1
Scotland
Villa Park
11
Smith opened the scoring on 25 minutes, his  1st goal against Scotland in 5 starts.


17
17.03.00
Ireland
0
2
England*
Lansdowne Road, Dublin


18
26.03.00
Wales
1
1
England *
Cardiff Arms Park


19
07.04.00
Scotland
4
1
England*
Celtic Park


20
30.03.01
England*
2
2
Scotland
Crystal Palace



* denotes that Smith was captain. His record as captain was:

P
W
D
L
14
9
2
3
  A 64% win rate.

 The British Home Championships in seasons when Smith was captain:

season
P
W
D
L
F
A
Pos.
1895-96*
3
2
0
1
12
3
2
1896-97
3
2
0
1
11
2
2
1897-98*
3
3
0
0
9
3
1
1898-99
3
3
0
0
19
3
1
1899-00
3
1
1
1
4
5
3

*captain in 2 games.