Colchester United are saddened to hear the news that former boss Jim Smith had passed away
After a playing career spent predominately in the lower leagues, Jim moved into management with a spell as Player-Manager at Boston United.
The U's secured his services in October 1972, after Dick Graham's departure a month earlier, and in his first full season he won promotion to Division Three,(League One today).
That promotion, and cup wins against higher league opposition, attracted attention, and Blackburn Rovers took him to the North West in the summer of 1975.
He went on to manage at Birmingham City, Oxford United, Queens Park Rangers, Newcastle, Portsmouth, Derby before returning to Oxford in the latter years of his managerial career.
Jim passed away on Tuesday aged 79, and Colchester United's thoughts are with Jim's family and friends at this sad and difficult time.