Smith joined Port Vale from Sneyd Colliery in October 1936 . He made his Third Division North debut in the 1936 – 37 season , before playing 21 league games in the 1937 – 38 campaign . He made 37 appearances in the Third Division South during the 1938 – 39 campaign . He guested for Nottingham Forest and Southend United during World War II . He returned to The Old Recreation Ground after the war , and featured 27 times in the 1946 – 47 season . He played only once in each of the 1947 – 48 and 1948 – 49 campaigns , and was given a free transfer in April 1950 by manager Gordon Hodgson . He finished his career playing for non-league sides Buxton and Stafford Rangers , before becoming a scout for Portsmouth
Sneyd Colliery
Sneyd Colliery Disaster
Wilf Smith (footballer, born 1917)