John Smith was born on June 05, 1926 in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne to Dorothy and Roger in the district of Walker. They then lived in Heaton and Chillingham Road for many years, especially 31 Richardson Street with his sister Nancy and two brothers Sid and Leslie. John was born and brought up in the railway cottages in Newcastle. His father and grandfather were both train drivers and from an early age John was fascinated by trains. He lost half his little finger and nearly severed his ring finger trying to clamber over a bank covered in barbed wire to see a particularly fine train. Three of the threads that dominated his life were nurtured here – loving and caring for his family, working hard and football.