Jim Smith appeared for Halifax Town, Lincoln City and Boston United during his playing careerFormer Derby County, Oxford United and Portsmouth boss Jim Smith has died at the age of 79. Smith, known throughout football as the 'Bald Eagle', managed nine different clubs across the leagues. Among his career highlights were a League Cup final appearance with Queens Park Rangers in 1986 and promotion to the Premier League with Derby in 1996. "Jim had fought illness with his usual bravery for some time," said Oxford in a statement. 'A leader in the truest sense'Jim Smith took Derby up to the Premier League in 1996Ex-Derby striker Marco Gabbiadini, part of the Rams side promoted to the Premier League, described Smith as "one of the great characters".

Source: BBC December 10, 2019 18:58 UTC