A first-class centre-forward is as rare to find as a white blackbird. Yet there is almost as great a difference between a mere first-class centre and a centre of the highest class as there is between a cab-horse and a race-horse. One can count the great centre forwards of the past decade on the fingers of one hand. Since the days of Archie Hunter whom have we had? only five — J. Campbell of Sunderland, J. Goodall of Derby County and Watford, R. S. M'Coll, now of Glasgow Rangers, and G. O. Smith. The greatest of these is G. O. Smith. One day we may probably have to add the name of Vivian Woodward to the illustrious list, but for the present those men are almost in a class by themselves.

With the possible exception of Goodall none of these men stood the test of time equal to the great amateur, G. O., who now is the principal of a fine school in the London district. Smith has practically retired from the game, but he still teaches the young idea how to shoot at Barnet, and on charitable occasions he sometimes emerges into the public gaze.

There will always be differences of opinion about favourite players, but universal testimony agrees that never in the history of the games has there been a centre, for consistency over a number of years, who has equalled G. O. Smith. For at least ten years the old Charterhouse boy stood without a rival in England. For a single season he may have been equalled by J. Campbell, or Goodall, or M'Coll, but for sheer consistency he stands alone in the history of English football. Now, G. O. did not develop quickly. He is not what people call a born footballer. He undoubtedly had the genius of football in him, but it took time and trouble to make him the great player he ultimately became.

As a junior at Charterhouse he played outside right. The official School Report of him read: "Improved towards end of season. Dribbles and passes well, but is rather slow."

From this laconic and lukewarm description of Smith in 1888 one would scarce recognise the man who became a terror to every great back and goal-keeper in England. At Charterhouse about the same time were several great players, amongst them M. H. Stanbrough, one of the most brilliant outside forwards who ever kicked a ball. Doubtless young Smith derived much inspiration, if not instruction, from Stanbrough, with whom he afterwards played frequently in the ranks of the Corinthian Club.

But Smith modelled his style on no man. No doubt he watched and studied Tinsley Lindley, his predecessor in the Corinthian ranks, and he could not have had a better exemplar; but G. O. was destined to make a bigger mark on the page of football history than any of his own time.

If one were asked to say in a word the trong point of G. O. Smith's play, one would have to say, "Passing." Great in all the qualities which go to make up the man who is the keystone of the arch of a team, it was in making and receiving passes that he excelled all others. And it was in making the pass that he was most deadly. No defender, however experienced, could anticipate what he was going to do. He had an instinct for throwing the enemy off his guard, and at the same time of doing the right thing in the right way at the right moment. He was such a deadly shot himself that he could not be allowed to dribble too close to goal. If one back went for him he would pass to the undefended wing with unfailing accuracy and promptitude.

If he could not draw the defence his parting shot was of such a character that if it did not actually score it frightened the defence from allowing the like to happen again. He knew exactly when to pass and when to stick to the ball. When he did pass he would invariably make an opening for the wing men that made scoring comparatively easy. In the wettest, muddiest day, when the ball was heavy with clay, or greasy as a Christmas pudding, his passes never went astray. His control of the ball was no less remarkable than his ability to part with it to the best advantage.

Some men have been able to shoot as well — none better. A few other centres have been more resolute in making a single-handed dash for goal, but no man that ever took the field garnered as large a crop of goals directly or indirectly as G. O. Smith. He studied the game as few men have done. He brought a fine intellect to bear upon it in its every aspect, and the fruit of his study is represented by many victories for his club — the Corinthians — and his country.

G. O. had not the physique to play a hard, dashing game had he desired to do so. His gentler methods bore better fruit. He opposed subtlety to force; intellect to mere strength. Slightly over middle height, with a winsome face that bore traces of the pale cast of thought, Smith fought his way to the front by sheer diplomacy. If he could not win by fair means he would not win by fould. Nor did he mind a "charge," provided it was fairly delivered. He did not belong to the drawing room order of player.

He knew that football is a manly game, calling for qualities of pluck, grit, and endurance, and when he got hurt — as all men do — he never whined or grumbled. He took his courage in both hands, and never funked the biggest back that ever bore down on him. If not exaclty a sprinter few men could run faster with the ball at their toe, and one wondered where he acquired the power that sent the ball whizzing into the net like a shot from a gun. To see him walk quietly on to the field with his hands in his pockets, and watch the fine lines of an intellectual face, one wondered why the student ventured into the arena of football. But watch him on the ball with opposing professionals — maybe the best in the land — in full cry after him, and you saw a veritable king amongst athletes.

Smith was not merely a great footballer. Had he given the time and attention to it he would have become an equally great cricketer. As it was he scored over a century for Oxford University at Lords, and assisted his Alma Mater to win a sensational match. He was beloved of all professional players with whom he came in contact, and when he captained English International teams no man found the paid players to try harder. By his own particular chums he was adored. I remember him as a very young man before he had made a world-wide reputation, saying that even if he were a millionaire he would still play football. The Association game has never had a greater ornament, and I venture to think that so long as the game is played the name and fame of G. O. Smith will endure.