STAN SMITHStan Smith, who died on 8 April, 2010, aged 79, was former Port Vale player and part of their legendary 1953/54 FA Cup semi-final squad.He scored 21 goals in 63 appearances for Vale in the 1950s.Born on 24 February, 1931, Stanley grew up Kidsgrove, with three brothers and one sister.As a boy he attended Kidsgrove Boys' School, before leaving when he was 14 to study at Burslem Technical College.His football career started at Stoke City as a youth player, and he also spent time playing for Chesterton PSA (Pleasant Saturday Afternoon).He joined Vale in May 1950 and was part of the squad which reached the semi-final of the 1954 FA Cup, losing 2-1 to West Bromwich Albion, although it took until September 1954 for him to make his senior debut, in a 1-0 loss to Doncaster Rovers.Stan, who played as a striker, went on to feature regularly in the side until he was sold to Crewe Alexandra in July 1957, going on to make 28 appearances for the Railwaymen, scoring six goals. He later played for Oldham before his retirement.He goes down in history as the first Vale player to score against Stoke in a Potteries derby played under floodlights, netting in a 3-1 loss at the Victoria Ground in 1956.Stan remained a supporter of both Stoke and Vale up until his death and had season tickets for both clubs.There was standing room only at St Thomas's Church, as dozens of mourners said goodbye to the footballer.The Reverend Iain Baker, who led the service, said Stan's death was a great loss: "Everyone who knew Stan had wonderful memories of him."There were so many people who knew, cared for and loved Stan, who was not only a great sportsman, but a devoted family man."Speaking after the service, John Cooke, secretary of the Port Vale Ex-Players' Association, said Stan would be greatly missed: "He used to love going to Vale Park to watch them play and continued to do so even when he wasn't very well."He would always have a meal at the club before the game and he was also a shareholder at the club."Stan lived for the Vale and football was a big part of his life."Former teammate Colin Askey also paid tribute. The right-winger said: "Stan was quick, especially over the first five yards. He was a good player with an impressive scoring record."Outside of football, Stan worked at the Royal Ordnance Factory (ROF), Radway Green, near Alsager, English Electric in Kidsgrove and ICL at Winsford.He married Brenda, in Goldenhill in 1951, after meeting her at a dance at Burslem's Queens Hall.In 1981 he set up his own firm in Chesterton, which still operates today.The service was followed by cremation at Carmountside and a wake at Vale Park.
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