FORTY three years on, Steve Smith remains more than happy to talk about the goal which took Huddersfield Town into the top flight.

But the club stalwart, who after serving as player, coach and manager is now back as the academy’s head of recruitment, would be even more satisfied is he could unearth a player who can follow in his footsteps.

“If I’m being honest, I like the fact that people still ask me about that match up at Middlesbrough,” smiled Smith, whose super strike sealed a 1-1 draw at Ayresome Park on March 31, 1970, and ensured promotion for Ian Greaves’ talented side, who went on to clinch the old Division II title by winning their next game at Blackburn 2-0.

“I can remember the match clearly, and it was one of those shots which I caught just right. I hit it so hard the ball got stuck in the stanchion, and while we were all leaping around, the Middlesbrough goalkeeper was trying to dislodge the ball.”

Huddersfield-born Smith experienced the whole gamut of football emotions during his days as a Town player, which began when he joined the groundstaff straight from school in 1961 and ran through to 1977, when he joined neighbours Halifax.