One of the nicest men in football is stepping down from his role.
Dave Smith, commercial manager at Grimsby Town FC, played for the Mariners in one of the club’s most successful post-war spells, spending more than four seasons of his 17-year professional playing career at Blundell Park, before taking on the income-driving role.
He has now clocked up almost 20-years on the off-field side, having returned to the Mariners after ending his career with Swansea.
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Starting his football at Coventry, West Midlands sides Birmingham and West Brom followed, before heading to North East Lincolnshire, making it his adopted home. A versatile midfielder, he played the bulk of his games in the second tier.
He said “It has been an honour and a privilege for me to play and work at Grimsby Town. Football has been my life. It’s not easy stepping back, but we now have more support for the commercial activities at the club meaning I can step back at exactly the time when my family, particularly my elderly parents, need me more.”
The 54-year-old was recently joined in the department by former E-Factor Business Hive manager Jo Taylor, with the club in new ownership and back in the English Football League after an incredible 12 months. It is a period that has seen the atmosphere return to his first experiences in the double-Wembley winning season, meaning he arrives and leaves on a high, having played a valuable role as the conduit between sponsors and the club.
GTFC chief executive, Debbie Cook, said “I think you’ll struggle to find a nicer chap than Dave. We’ll miss him at the club and I’m sure he’ll pop back regularly. Everybody at the football club is grateful for his years’ of dedicated service and wishes him and his family all the very best.”
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