Former Derby and Portsmouth boss Jim Smith dies aged 79

Former Derby and Portsmouth manager Jim Smith has died aged 79.

His death was announced by another of his former clubs, Queens Park Rangers.

They said: "All at QPR are deeply saddened to have learned of the passing of former R's manager Jim Smith. Our thoughts are with Jim's family at this upsetting time."

Smith spent much of his playing career in the old fourth division with Halifax, Lincoln and Colchester, but most of his appearances came for non-league side Boston United.

He moved into full-time coaching after spells as player-manager for both Boston and Colchester, taking the reins at several big name clubs including Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United.

But he is perhaps best remembered for spells at Portsmouth, where he led the side from 1991 to 1995 before returning as the assistant manager to Harry Redknapp between 2002 and 2004, and at Derby County.

Smith guided the Rams to promotion from the old first division in 1996, which saw them move into the Premiership for the very first time and secure an impressive 12th place finish in their debut campaign.

Derby moved into their Pride Park stadium for the 1997-98 season and Smith led them to consecutive top 10 finishes, but resigned in 2001 following a downturn in form.

He did not return to a head coach role until he took the job at Oxford United in 2006, more than 20 years after he had brought his first stint there to an end.

Smith stepped down in November 2007 only to return to Oxford once again as caretaker boss the following year, which proved to be his final job in football management.

He managed well over 1,400 games during his career, which spanned four decades.

Tributes have flooded in from a number of his former clubs, with Oxford tweeting: "It is with great sadness that we must announce our former manager and #OUFC great Jim Smith has passed away.

"Our thoughts and love are with Jim's family and friends."

Newcastle wrote on Twitter: "Newcastle United are sad to learn of the passing of Jim Smith, who was the Magpies' manager between 1988 and 1991. He was 79. Our thoughts are with Jim's family."

His old Portsmouth boss Redknapp told Sky Sports News: "Jim was an amazing character. I think everyone who came in contact with him absolutely loved him.

"For me, he was probably my best ever signing. When I took over as manager I rung up Jim and said 'do you want to come here and work with me?'

"He said: 'Harry I'd love to'. He came back with me and we had a great time. It was an amazing time in both my life and Jim's life. Loved every minute of it.

"He was really old school. He was fun, he was just a character, you just couldn't stop laughing at his stories and the way he was. Everybody loved Jim. He was just a lovable character."

Smith's achievements saw him inducted into the LMA (League Managers Association) Hall Of Fame.

LMA chairman Howard Wilkinson said: "Jim and I have known each other since our teenage years, and I have been in his debt since the day he asked me to become player-coach at Boston United where I served my apprenticeship.

"I have so many fond memories of Jim as a football manager but foremost as a friend.

"He was intelligent, passionate, determined, honest and always great fun to be with. Never one to mince his words, he was a leader in the truest sense.

"He was liked and admired by everyone around him, truly an authentic, down-to-earth gentleman."