SMITH'S playing career was modest, but he developed into a respected manager once he worked his way through the divisions

He took Colchester, Birmingham and Oxford to promotion, and after taking over at QPR he guided them to the 1986 Milk Cup Final at Wembley.

Jim arrived at United when the long-serving Willie McFaul left, and quickly developed a reputation as a wheeler dealer with his involvement in the transfer market.

Players like Mick Quinn, Mark McGhee and Roy Aitken all arrived at the club under Smith's stewardship, though some of his signings were not as successful.

He took United to the brink of promotion in 1990, only to lose in the play-offs against Sunderland, and eventually resigned amid the power struggle at the club in 1991.