Billy Smith, who has died in Johannesburg at the age of 78, was a member of the first Aberdeen team to be crowned Scottish league champions.

A full-back, Smith signed for the Dons from Aberdeen Sunnybank in 1949. National Service meant that it took some time for a first-team breakthrough, making his debut on January 2, 1952, in a league game against East Fife when he replaced Don Emery. It was a winning start - a late goal from the legendary George Hamilton ensuring a 2-1 home win before 20,000 spectators.

When in 1953 he married Coral Davidson, he made his excuses during the reception to play against Airdrieonians, arriving at Pittodrie dressed in his coat-tails.

He formed a formidable full-back partnership with Jimmy Mitchell in front of Scotland international goalkeeper Fred Martin during the title-winning campaign. A half-back line of Jack Allister, Alec Young and Archie Glen completed a solid defensive unit whose resilience and steel played such a critical role in securing the title.

Indeed, he was ever-present in the side until a broken leg suffered at Easter Road in a Scottish Cup semi-final against Clyde put paid to his season. Even playing the entire second-half with 10 men, Aberdeen - with two Paddy Buckley goals - held a 2-1 lead in front of a 33,000 audience until the dying seconds when Tommy Ring forced a replay.

The Shawfield outfit eventually emerged 1-0 winners - and thus the Dons were denied their first-ever league and cup double, a feat they would eventually achieve almost 30 years later.

Twenty-five league appearances were more than enough to secure Smith a rare league championship winner's medal and ironically enough it was at Clyde that the championship was secured just five days after that cup exit, with a Glen penalty ensuring a 1-0 win before 15,000 spectators.

A tenacious defender with long, gangly legs who always gave his all for the cause, Billy was rated highly throughout the game, including by no less an authority than the legendary winger Gordon Smith who won league championship medals with Hibernian, Hearts and Dundee. Gordon Smith rated his namesake as among his toughest opponents.

Following 93 competitive appearances for the Dons, Smith joined Third Lanark in 1956, winning a Glasgow Merchants' Charity Cup winners medal in May of that year with a 4-2 final victory over Partick Thistle at Hampden.

For good measure, internationalists Ivor Broadis, Tommy Docherty and Bobby Mitchell all guested for the Hi Hi.

After two years at Cathkin Park, Smith joined Deveronvale in 1958 as player/coach and would serve the Banff club faithfully for nine years.

The highlight of his time with the Highland League club was on January 28, 1961, a 1-0 Scottish Cup victory over Stirling Albion who at the time were en route to promotion to division one.

George Christie's goal produced a return to Pittodrie in the next round where the Vale were more than holding their own at 2-2 with 20 minutes remaining. Two late goals ensured a 4-2 home win but it had been a close-run thing.

Smith left football in 1967 and emigrated to South Africa, working as the manager of a poultry farm in Johannesburg where he resided until his recent death. A memorial service was held for him at the Presbyterian Church in Henley-on-Klip, South Africa.

He is remembered with great affection at Princess Royal Park to this day and in recent years was voted the greatest Vale player of all time by the club's fans.

His son Greig recalled on his passing the great honour felt by his father to have received the Player Of The Millenium award. The trophy received pride of place in the family home.