Tributes to a Honved hero

Tributes were today paid to a hero player who helped bring victory to Wolves in the team's famous Honved match.

Leslie Smith, who began his football career in 1945, played in Wolves' legendary 3-2 victory against Hungarian team Honved in December 1954.

Mr Smith, who retired early with an Achilles tendon injury in 1960, died this morning aged 80. He was surrounded by his family in Mary Stevens Hospice, Stourbridge, after the return of throat and bowel cancer which he had suffered from several years ago.

Wolves goalkeeping legend Bert Williams, president of former players' association said: "Les Smith would have been a manager's dream.

"He could play on either wing and never complained about being understudy to Jimmy Mullen or Johnny Hancocks.

"He would have been first choice in any other club but like all our reserves, he was a good club man and never asked for a transfer."

With Mullen and Hancocks still regular Wolves wingers in 1956, Mr Smith moved to Aston Villa for a £25,000 transfer fee.

He found less competition for appearances with the Birmingham side and scored 25 goals for them in 130 matches, including winning the FA Cup against Manchester United in a 2-1 victory in 1957.

He leaves a wife, Mavis, aged 75, son Nigel, daughter-in-law Lynne, 45, and grandchildren Faye, 17, and Scott, 15.

Postman Nigel, aged 47, of Hilston Avenue, Halesowen, said: "I never got to saw him play but he was as marvellous as a father as he was a player."