Granville Smith 4th February 1937 – 22nd August 2024

Aug 28, 2024 | News

Everyone connected with Bristol Rovers Supporters Club was saddened to hear that one of the club’s former players, Granville Smith, passed away on 22nd August at the age of 87.

Having signed for Rovers in 1952, Granville turned professional in May 1957 and made his Rovers league debut against Fulham on 31st January 1959, a game that ended in a 1-0 defeat at Craven Cottage.

He became the 339th player to make his Rovers league debut and that was the first of 21 league appearances for the club. The two goals he scored came against Brighton & Hove Albion and Grimsby Town.

In June 1960 he signed for Newport County and went on to score 36 goals in 241 league games for the Welsh side. December 1967 saw him join Bath City and whilst at Twerton Park he scored 17 goals in 87 appearances in all competitions.

There was a move to Glastonbury in May 1969 and a return to Newport County, as reserve team manager, in 1970 before he was appointed as manager of Carleon in 1976.

Granville continued to live in Newport and, for many years, he worked for Mansanto’s of Newport as a boiler attendant.

Our thoughts are with Granville’s family and friends at this time.