Dave Smith RIP

[Lee Payne]

RIP Ciderman, a great manager I still remember that 4-0 win against Bristol City to seal promotion my most memorable game watching Argyle.

 

[Stuart Bloye]

RIP Cider man. Thanks for so much, especially the 4-0 against Brizzle. I bumped into him in Wembury, but was too shy (in awe) to speak to him.

 

[IJN]

I spent about 4 hours with him about 5 years ago, the man had the mind of a 20 year old.

A briliant raconteur and by God he still knew about football.

 

[PL2 3DQ]

Quick question how did Dave get the Ciderman name ? I guess it must be pretty obvious but I was too young to know at the time

Q: You are affectionately known to Argyle fans as ‘Ciderman’, how did that nickname come about?

DS: I am not sure how the ‘Ciderman’ nickname came about …I have an idea that when we went down to Padstow for the monthly draw with the Bill Pearce, I was having a drink of cider with the ‘locals’ of the pub and perhaps the name stuck…maybe started using it myself as a form of identity, would you believe?
Just perhaps someone else might have the real answer?

Link.

 

[IJN]

Well well well I always thought he just named himself that.

I can remember his story about the rainbow over Home Park which he saw from the train and he knew that Argyle was for him.

 

[Lyndhurst Road End]

So sad, what a horrible week.

I was at Elm Park, Reading, in 1987/88 when we won one nil in August to go top of the old second division (just two seasons after the 4 v 3 nightmare). We scored in injury time in the first half and Ciderman was reportedly already inside making the half time tea. Apparently, no one told him we were one nil up and, with about 10 minutes to go, and to the astonishment of my late dad and myself, he brought on an attacker! Thank goodness we held out!

Great memory Ciderman. Great Argyle manager. RIP

ps I have no idea if the above story about Dave making the tea is true, but this was what I was told the next day.

He certainly went to the changing room just before 1/2 time. He heard the roar for us scoring, but believed it was the 1/2 time whistle.
He only found out we'd won after the game when a player said "boss we won" believe they were getting a hard time in the dressing room afterwards

 

[Lousy Pint]

Lovely bloke, you could tell that by just looking at him.
Really knew his stuff too. As many others have said, his promotion season is also one of my favourites.
Thanks for the memories Ciderman. RIP

 

[Southampton Green]

The Russ Abbot show ran from 1986 to 1991 and two of the main characters were Cooperman and Blunderwoman. They were quite big at the time, and I always thought that "Ciderman" was a play on Cooperman because of Dave Smith's great personality and humour.

 

[Graham Clark]

One of the Argyle greats. The 4-0 win v Bristol,City the pinnacle. Always a gentleman and all you ever wanted an Argyle manager to be. RIP Ciderman.

 

[chunks]

RIP Dave Smith. An absolute gentleman who will be sadly missed.

 

[Beyton Green]

Terrible news. One of the very best supporting Argyle times. RIP

 

[gaspargomez]

A legendary manager. Argyle royalty.

Although there will rightly be tributes to the Queen at the next match, I hope that at another match there can be a minutes silence and a dedicated announcement about Dave Smith. He was a special manager.

 

[Corky]

Didn't he fling his cap into the crowd during the promotion run? Did it ever come back? 😁

 

[Rowlypilgrim]

As so many have already stated here, great times for the club under a very popular manager. RIP gaffer, thanks for the memories

 

[monkeywrench]

Absolute legend and an absolute gent. The loveliest of guys.

Never forget the Smith promotion season and the mighty attempt to get in the then 1st Division.