 A pre @-@ season injury kept him out of the entire 1980 – 81 season , during which time he coached the reserves . In this time he converted Steve Bould from a striker into a centre @-@ back . Smith returned from injury in 1981 – 82 , and featured regularly early in the season , and by the time another injury forced him out of the team , Stoke were sitting in 18th @-@ place . He joined York City , who were struggling in the Fourth Division , on a one @-@ month loan in March 1982 . He debuted in a 3 – 1 home defeat to Hull City on 16 March 1982 , and scored once for York , in a 4 – 2 loss away to Wigan Athletic on 2 April . Smith made seven appearances while on loan at York , and exerted his influence on the team by organising the defence ; he commented that " They had been crying out for an older head like me " . He was recalled by Stoke manager Richie Barker as the defence struggled in his absence , and Smith re @-@ established himself in the team as they avoided relegation . He was handed a free transfer to York in May 1982 . He said that if he had been offered a coaching role at Stoke he would have stayed , but that Barker wanted him gone as he saw him as a threat to his position . In total , Smith made 493 appearances for Stoke , a club record for a centre @-@ back . 
