Members News: ‘Smudger’ Is Sixty Today – Congratulations Kevan From CCFPA!

Kevan in the Sky Blue

Today, CCFPA member and former Sky Blue central defender Kevan Smith celebrates his big 60th birthday. Congratulations Kevan! Kevan was last at the Ricoh for Legends Day 2019 earlier this year as was fellow ‘Birthday Boy’ (a year older) Greg Downs (see earlier post)! Kevan has attended recent CCFPA Legends Days and Golf Days (pictured below).

He was born in Eaglescliffe, Yarm on 13th December 1959 and wore the Sky Blue between December 1986 to May 1988. Starting out with Stockton the imposing youngster made his name at Darlington from 1979 with nearly 300 appearances before moving to Rotherham United in summer 1985 where he impressed in a couple of League Cup games against the City. At United he had made 70 appearances (6 goals) before Sky Blues gaffer (and now fellow CCFPA member) George Curtis bought him as defensive cover for £60k.

Kevan Smith (Legends Day 2019)

‘Smudger’ was only a bit part player in the CCFC squad which went on the win the F.A.Cup in May 1987, after all CCFC’s dominant centre half was (now fellow Association member) Brian ‘Killer’ Kilcline and Kevan broke his leg in a Central League game which ruled him out for a large part of the cup winning season. Therefore Kevan only managed 6 first team league appearances in Division One and one in the F.A.Cup whilst with the Sky Blues before transferring to York City in May 1988 for £38k.

At Bootham Crescent Kevan turned out 33 times (5 goals) in 1988-89 before moving to, successively, back to first club, Darlington (108 apps – 6gs), then Hereford United (on loan October 1992 – 6 apps), briefly Sliema Wanderers in Malta (1993), then Hereford United again (1993 – 22 apps) before hanging up his boots.

17th Kevan Smith with the Penmans team at GD19

Kevan has also tried out life on the other side of football being Hull City‘s Assistant Manager, Football in the Community Oficer (and vice chair of their Supporters Trust) back at Darlington and co-manager at Crook Town 1997-98.

Many Happy Returns of the Day Smudger!!

See you back at a CCFPA event soon!