Arthur Smith went to Saltley Training College where he studied to become a schoolmaster. He played football for the school and later for Brierley Hill Alliance in the Birmingham & District League. Smith stepped up to the Southern League in 1911 when he moved to Queens Park Rangers and he played in 35 of their 36 games as they secured the League title for only the second time. He was also in the QPR side that lost to the Football League champions Blackburn Rovers in the FA Charity Shield at White Hart Lane in May 1912. The proceeds of the match all went to the Mayor of London’s Titanic appeal fund. Smith’s contribution to the Rangers’ title win was no doubt instrumental in him being named one of the reserves for the 1912 Stockholm Olympics. After the Games, and after just one season in London, Smith moved back to the Midlands to join second division Birmingham and in his first season he played in 37 of Birmingham’s 38 League games as they finished third behind Preston North End and Burnley. In his two seasons with Birmingham Smith played 52 League and Cup games before returning to Brierley Hill to finish his footballing career. During World War I ‘Nipper’ Smith served as a bomb disposal expert with the Royal Army Ordnance Corps (RAOC) and reached the rank of Captain. After the war he continued his teaching career in Tipton before retiring to Bournemouth, where he died in 1969.
Great Britain