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Robert ‘Bob’ Smith, one of the State’s finest goalkeepers, has passed away on the North-West Coast aged 65.
Bob played for Ulverstone, Devonport City and Burnie United during a highly successful career.
His heyday was in the early 1990s when he was a member of a fabulous Devonport City side and also represented Tasmania.
Bob was naturally gifted and, while it could be argued he was unorthodox in his goalkeeping, there was no question about his bravery, agility and shot-stopping prowess.
He won three State League titles with Devonport City, but the first two of these were not recognised as titles as the final-four rule applied and a grand final was used to determine the State champions.
In 1992, Devonport finished top of the table but lost the grand final to fourth-placed Croatia Glenorchy, coached by Nikola Gorkovski.
Unbelievably, the same happened the following season as Alex MacDonald’s Devonport side again finished top of the standings but lost the grand final to fourth-placed Hobart Juventus, coached by Devonport’s nemesis, Gorkovski.
It was third time lucky for Bob and his team-mates when they beat White Eagles 3-2 in the grand final of what was the 1993-94 Summer State League competition.
Devonport were 14 points ahead of their nearest rivals, Launceston City, in the standings so justice was done when they also won that season’s grand final.
The 1993 season was a great one for Bob Smith and arguably marked the pinnacle of his career.
Tasmania played against the Japanese J-League giants, Nagoya Grampus Eight, who were in Hobart for a two-weeks pre-season training camp centred around North Hobart Oval and South Hobart Oval.
Gary Lineker was their star attraction, while Brazilian Jorginho was also in their squad of 37 players.
Bob played goalkeeper for Tasmania’s reserves against Nagoya Grampus Eight reserves in the curtain-raiser to the main event and Tasmania won 1-0.
The Tasmanian first-team went down 3-0 to Nagoya’s first-team.
Bob was also in the Tasmanian squad for the game against Victorian NSL side Heidelberg, but he did not get a run.
The same year, he was also in the Tasmanian squad that played two games against South Melbourne Hellas. One was played in Devonport and the other at Grove Road in Glenorchy and resulted in 6-0 and 6-1 losses respectively.
Bob’s lack of playing time was due to the presence of another brilliant Tasmanian goalkeeper, Scotsman Neil Connell.
Bob’s chance came when Tasmania played Victoria in Hobart. He had a fine game despite Tasmania losing 2-1. His Devonport City team-mate, John ‘Snow’ Compagne, scored Tasmania’s goal with a penalty.
Bob was also in goal for one of Tasmania’s greatest ever performances, the 5-4 defeat to New South Wales at South Hobart in late 1993.
Tasmania were coached by Alex MacDonald, the Devonport supremo. while New South Wales were coached by Rale Rasic, the man who took the Socceroos to their first-ever World Cup, the 1974 series in West Germany.
Tasmania were leading 4-1 with just under half-an-hour to play when Rasic introduced substitute Vlado Zoric, who scored a hat-trick and swung the game in the visitors; favour.
Two of Tasmania’s goals came from Devonport stars John ‘Snow’ Compagne and Anthony Guilbert.
Bob suffered illness in recent years and passed away this week.
He will always be remembered for his contribution to football on the North-West Coast and, indeed, to Tasmanian football.
Let’s hope he is honoured with a minute’s silence before today’s NPL Tasmania game between Devonport Strikers and Glenorchy Knights at KGV Park, a ground where he produced some memorable performances.
I had a brief chat with Bob earlier this year in the north of the State and will always remember him as one of the State’s great goalkeepers.
He is survived by his wife, Cheryl, and four children and their partners, and by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
The funeral will be in Burnie next Friday.
1 comment:
Vale Bob Smith. Condolences to your family, relatives, & friends.
A super & deserving eulogy Walter
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