Joseph Smith

Whist perusing through an old photograph album at my parents house I came across an old black and white photo of my parents with Sir Matt Busby the one time manager of Manchester United football team.

Later that evening during my routine dog walking session with my friend Joe I happened to mention the picture and how both my father, mother and brother were avid United fans (myself I have no interest in the game). To my surprise Joe retorted that he had played for United B team in 1956/57 who were at that time under the management of Sir Matt, it also turned out that Joe’s parents were local to the Miles Platting and Ancoats area and so the introduction begins.

Joseph Smith was born in 1938 to parents Hannah Fitzpatrick and Gerard Smith. Hannah lived in Layton St. Miles Platting in the 1920’s, and Gerard Smith lived on Harrison St. Ancoats. They married at Corpus Christi church and then moved to 5 Roland St. Beswick.

Joe was always a keen footballer and after attending St.Gregory’s High school in Ardwick he was picked to play for Manchester schoolboys, and then progressed to Manchester United.

On the 30th March 1957 Joe was picked to play away at Burnley. United B team won1-0.

Joe was serving an apprenticeship at Mather Platt park works Newton Heath at the time, and in 1960 he was called up for National Service. Anybody who was called up during May had to serve an extra six months in Germany due to the erection of the Berlin Wall. National service ceased on 31st May 1960.

Through the years Joe took up numerous positions and settled with Rolls Royce power engines on contracts over seas and the UK. Although well travelled Joe like an astute homing pigeon kept coming back to Manchester where he now permanently resides.

Joe would be happy to receive correspondence from any readers familiar with Hannah and Gerard Smith or his sister Pauline.
Martina Convery