History books will show that we won that final, over two legs, 3-1. What they probably won't say is how important a role the captain played in the second leg at Villa Park. Knowing we had succumed to them earlier that year, Trevor Smith knew the key to maintaining our two goal cushion would be the defence, the one he stood proudly at the centre of and marshalled.
Scholfield, Lynn, Green, Hennessey, and Beard were his cohorts that night and although later to become his countries captain, Terry Hennessey was still 'learning his trade'. In his captain and centre half he had the impeccable mentor and supreme master in the art of sound defence.
Trevor Smith lifted the trophy and several thousand bluenoses in the Holte End were ecstatic with joy, this was his proudest footballing acheivement.
Had it not been for Billy Wright, Trevor would have attained a far greater number of England caps than the two he actually got. A typical bullish type centre back that we see all too rarely these days, he was a man mountain, square shouldered, brylcremed jet hair and a centre forwards worst nightmare.
In 2000 I acheived a lifelong ambition when I eventually got to meet Trevor to say Hi and thank you. I'm glad I did, for three years on we are mourning the loss of one of Birminghams finest, a born and bred Brummie who will be missed by many.
God Bless Trevor.
R.I.P.