Tributes to Kelso, Scotland and Lions flanker Ken Smith after death at age of 96
Tributes have been paid to former Kelso, Scotland and British and Irish Lions flanker Ken Smith following his death last Thursday at the age of 96.
Edinburgh-born Smith, a farmer by trade, moved into sporting administration after the end of a playing career featuring 18 Scottish caps between 1957 and 1961 and four test appearances for the Lions, two apiece against Australia and New Zealand, and was president of the Scottish Rugby Union from 1994 to 1995 and chairman of the International Rugby Board, now known as World Rugby, from 1990 to 1991.
It was with Edinburgh’s Watsonians rather than at Poynder Park that he began his rugby career, having been educated at the capital’s George Watson’s College before heading over to the USA to study agriculture to prepare him to join the family business in the Borders, first working at Kelsocleuch, then Watherston and later Ormiston Mains, near Kelso.
Smith, made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire for services to rugby in 1995, joined Kelso upon his return to Scotland and was club captain for the 1953-54 season and, after his retiral from playing, president from 1975 to 1977.
His first cap was as an injury replacement for fellow Lion Jim Greenwood in 1957 and he went on to make 17 further appearances for his country over the following four years.
That international service continued after his playing days were done and he acted as tour manager for Scotland’s 1981 trip to New Zealand and as a liaison officer for the All Blacks’ 1983 British tour.
Smith’s four tests as a Lion were accompanied by 13 other matches for the multinational outfit, including one in Canada, scoring four tries all together as one of five Scots in a squad skippered by Irish hooker Ronnie Dawson.
His fellow Scots on that tour, yielding a 2-0 series win against the Australians and a 3-1 defeat to the All Blacks, were Hawick’s Hugh McLeod, Melrose-educated Gordon Waddell and Edinburgh’s Stan Coughtrie and Ken Scotland.
Smith was one of a handful of Lions to come out of Kelso, the others being John Jeffrey, Alan Tait, Roger Baird and Ross Ford.
He also played for the Barbarians four times in 1960 and 1961 and for South of Scotland during 1956-57 and 1957-58’s Scottish inter-district rugby championships.
Paying tribute to him, a Lions spokesperson said: “After a stellar playing career, he went onto become a leading administrator in the game, both in Scotland and globally.
“Smith played a season for Watsonians but it was at Kelso that he made his name, earning the first of his 18 Scotland caps in 1957.
“Two years later, he earned selection for the Lions’ tour of Australia and New Zealand and made 17 appearances, including featuring in four of the test matches.
“The British and Irish Lions send sincere condolences to all of Smith’s family and friends.”
An SRU spokesperson added: “Scottish Rugby extend their sincere and heartfelt condolences to Ken Smith’s family and many friends.”