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The Smelt Brothers

Four brothers from Kimberworth, Rotherham who each played League football.  Two of them, Alf and Jack are named in the 1919 Montagu Cup win for Kimberworth Old Boys.  Alf played in goal for this match - he played both in goal and as a back for Rotherham County.

Len smelt.jpg

Len (b. 1883) - Burnley's oldest player.  Possibly the oldest player to play a football league match (aged 43 for Barrow).
CLUBS:
ROTHERHAM TOWN

ROTHERHAM COUNTY

GAINSBOROUGH TRINITY
BURNLEY
BARROW

Alf Smelt.jpg

Alf (b. 1885) -
CLUBS:
CHESTERFIELD TOWN
LEEDS CITY
(ROTHERHAM COUNTY)

Jack Smelt first left zoomed.jpg

Jack (b. 1895) -  Jack was christened John William.
CLUBS:
ROTHERHAM COUNTY

PORTSMOUTH

THE WEDNESDAY

Tom Smelt best.jpg

Tom (b. 1900)
ROTHERHAM TOWN
ACCRINGTON STANLEY
EXETER CITY
CHESTERFIELD
MANCHESTER CITY
OLDHAM ATHLETIC
CREWE ALEXANDRA
SCUNTHORPE UNITED
ROTHERHAM UNITED

Len played for Burnley's "Champions of England" in 1921. He was still playing aged 41 becoming their oldest ever player.
All the photographs and info below is thanks to Graham Barnes.

​

tom smelt 3.jpg

Tom (2nd from left seated) in his Scunthorpe days. Credit:  Graham Barnes

Len third from left on the back row.jpg

Len (3rd from left back row) Rotherham County
Credit:  Graham Barnes

Len 2nd from right back row.jpg

Len: (2nd from right on the back row)
Credit:  Graham Barnes

Jack Smelt wider angle.jpg

Jack Smelt - First on the left for SWFC in 1921

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Len Smelt 3.jpg

Credit:  Graham Barnes

len smelt new.jpg
Len Smelt death.jpg
Tom smelt new.jpg
Len Smelt new 2.jpg
jack played in 2 positions goal back.jpg

Proof that Jack played both in goal AND as a back.
CREDIT:  Gary John Noble GREEN UN 2/10/15

tom smelt.jpg

Tom Smelt

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