Billy Smith holds the record for the number of appearances made for Huddersfield Town
- Billy Smith made over 500 appearances for Town, scoring 126 goals
- Outside Left broke numerous records during his time at the Club
- Smith became the first player to score directly from a corner
Often referred to with the words ‘The Great’ before his name, Huddersfield Town legend Billy Smith enjoyed an illustrious 21-year playing career with the Club, during which time he broke a whole host of records.
Smith’s career with Town began in 1913 when he signed for the Club from Hobson Wanderers as an 18-year-old. The first of his 126 goals wearing the blue and white stripes came against Hull City in the October of that year in what was just his second appearance for The Terriers.
It didn’t take long for Smith to establish himself as a regular starter, becoming Town’s key player the following season and soon after becoming one of the most talented left-sided players in the country.
It was in the early 1920s when Smith really began to flourish following the appointment of Herbert Chapman as Town Manager – a man who would go on to become both a Huddersfield Town and Arsenal legend.
In Chapman’s first full season with the Club, Smith was an ever present and netted the winning penalty against Preston North End to secure Town’s first ever FA Cup trophy in 1922.
Smith also played a pivotal role in Town securing its first ever league title in 1924 as he finished as the Club’s second highest goalscorer that season, contributing 13 goals. Smith was Town’s shining light again the following season as the Club secured a second successive league title. That season was also extra special for Smith as he became the first player to score directly from a corner with his stunning goal against Arsenal in the October.
And of course, as written in the history books, Town went on to become the first club in history to be crowned league champions in three consecutive years. Smith’s consistency and intelligent wing-play continued to inspire the Club’s fans and players alike for the remainder of the decade.
But the playing career of ‘The Great Billy Smith’ couldn’t last forever. He made the last of his 574 appearances, the record number of appearances ever made by a Huddersfield Town player, in February 1934 against Sheffield United; somewhat unsurprisingly marking his final outing in Blue and White with two goals.
Smith retired with an FA Cup winners medal and three runners-up medals to him name, as well as three First Division titles and three England caps.
