Vale Dave Smith: Gold Coast Football great dies aged 70

A Gold Coast football ‘legend’ who helped four clubs win titles in the 80s and 90s has passed away at the age of 70. He has been remembered as a colourful character with a passion for his players and the sport.

ONE of Gold Coast football’s most beloved coaches has been remembered as a colourful character who loved his players, a bit of banter and most of all, the world game.

Dave Smith, 70, passed away suddenly last week.

Though ‘Smithy’ had not coached on the Gold Coast since the late-1990s, news of his passing sent shockwaves through the football community that came to love and respect a man who did so much for football on the Glitter Strip.

The former Sunderland apprentice professional came to Australia in 1981 to play for Adelaide City in the old National Soccer League.

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Following coaching stints with City and in South Australia’s Riverlands District, Smith headed north to become Kingscliff’s coaching director in 1989, helping the club’s three grades all win premierships.

Similar success followed Smith to Palm Beach and Surfers Paradise, before he linked with Broadbeach United ahead of a historic 1995 campaign that ended in a cleansweep of silverware.

Much-loved former Football Gold Coast coach Dave Smith (front right) with the 1995 Broadbeach United team he helped win a swath of trophies that season. Photo: Contributed

“He was a one-of-a-kind character,” former Broadbeach president Peter McGeown said of Smith.

“Even before he came to Broadbeach, the banter he had when he was with Palm Beach and Surfers Paradise was fabulous.

“The Bulletin used to print the banter and it did a lot to create even more interest in the games in the early to mid-90s.”

McGeown remembered Smith as a “larger than life character” whose passion for the sport and people made him a beloved figure in the football community.

“He always had a quip and a smile on his face and above all else, obviously, he was a fabulous coach,” McGeown said.

“He’s left his mark on the Gold Coast and certainly left a lasting legacy on the football fraternity.

“He knew his stuff and he nurtured young players … if you asked the old football fraternity about the best coaches around, Smith would be right up there.

“The reaction to posts on Facebook indicates how highly regarded he was in the soccer community.

“His son, Lee, said to me … Dave would love all the attention he’s getting right now.”

McGeown said a local memorial in honour of Smith will be held in coming weeks.