Jinky Jimmy Smith plays a blinder for North Shields | OneFootball

I’ve been asked by Bazoox – who was waylaid on family business – to write a little follow up to the 70s Toon Legend Talk-in, which I’m happy to say was a roaring success at Chirton Club, North Shields, on Thursday night.

Around £750 was raised for the Independent North Shields Supporters Association pot, on what was the 9th anniversary of their last FA Vase win.

It was great to see so many faces who support the region’s senior professional club turn out in support of a famous and historic smaller one… and on a school night too!

It was a rare and welcome public speaking appearance by the legend Jinky Jimmy Smith.

This kind of stuff is not usually Jim’s thing but when he warmed up, his forthright opinions and observations were a match for the knowledgeable host; excellent local comedian, Gavin Webster. They were ably assisted by the larrikin antics of Paul Cannell and the studious and all round nice guy, Irving Nattrass.

I’m not old enough to have seen any of these three players on the St James’ Park pitch (I did see Paul at the Robins’ old Appleby Park in a Newcastle representative team, circa 1978) but I’ve read a lot about them and heard stories from my older family members; a lot of it is well documented and some, in Paul’s case particularly, unprintable!

It never surprises me how men who served the black and white stripes so well are venerated by us Geordie folk – so much so that those who aren’t from the area, as in the case of Jinky Jimmy Smith, often stay long after their boots have been hung up.

Whilst Irving and Paul were local grammar school boys who would, if it were not for their footballing ability, have gone to University and probably made good, Jimmy grew up in Easterhouse, Glasgow – a tough knock back in the day. This moulded his colourful character. He has an aura and a quiet, personal warmth and humour which touched all of us who had the pleasure to share a beer with him on the night.

Jinky Jimmy Smith pictured with Gavin Webster on the night

On these type of occasions, inevitably a question crops up which leads one to ponder ‘what might have been.’

If it were not for bad luck and injury?

Why didn’t Nattrass get capped by England.

Why did Jimmy receive so few for Scotland?

How many goals and appearances would Cannell have had if they had the modern day substitute numbers?

How much would they be worth in today’s market?

All worthy of debate and part of what made this such a good night of nostalgia, pies and booze.