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Scottish rugby player honored with match named after him

Arthur Smith, hailing from Castle Douglas, achieved a balance between his rugby pursuits and accomplishments in both academia and business.

More than 50 years after his passing, a Scottish rugby legend continues to support pupils from his former school in their pursuit of higher education.

A black and white picture of rugby player Arthur Smith with curly hair — Arthur Smith combined his rugby career with academic and business success

Arthur Smith's academic achievements were notable, with studies in mathematics at Glasgow and Cambridge universities, but his rugby prowess is what has endured in the public memory.

His impressive debut with the Scotland national team was so memorable that it became known as "Arthur Smith's match", a testament to his significant contribution to the game.

Although Smith succumbed to cancer in 1975 at the age of 42, his legacy lives on, with students at Kirkcudbright Academy still benefiting from a fund established in his name.

According to records from the National Records of Scotland, Smith was born on 23 January 1933 at Upper Torrs Farm near Castle Douglas.

Iain Smith, who has grey hair and is wearing a blue top, stands looking into camera in front of thistle wallpaper — Iain Smith remembers his father telling him about his rugby exploits

At 20, while studying mathematics at Glasgow, Smith became Scotland's national long jump champion, achieving a distance of 6.17m (20 ft 3in).

After graduating with a first-class degree, Smith pursued a PhD in applied physics at Cambridge between 1954 and 1957.

It was during his time at Cambridge that Smith developed a passion for rugby, participating in Varsity matches against Oxford University.

Smith's physical attributes, including his height and speed, made him a valuable asset to several rugby clubs, including London Scottish, Barbarians, Edinburgh Wanderers, and Ebbw Vale in South Wales.

Smith played a crucial role in ending Scotland's 17-match losing streak during his international debut.

Black and white image of Arthur Smith and another rugby player in suits with a set of suitcases as they embark on a British and Irish Lions tour — Smith captained the British and Irish Lions in 1962

On 5 February 1955, Scotland defeated Wales 35-10 at Murrayfield, with Smith scoring a try and earning a place in the annals of Scottish rugby history.

The significance of Smith's performance that day led to the match being dubbed "Arthur Smith's Match", as noted by the National Records of Scotland.

Smith's son, Iain, now 60 and living in Edinburgh, recalls sitting on his father's knee and listening to tales of the match.

Iain remembers his father embellishing the story, claiming to have beaten numerous players, but he enjoyed the exaggerated account nonetheless.

A black and white photograph of a rugby match. One man is running with the ball, being pursued by three others. — Smith (right) was part of the Lions team that played the Springboks in Durban in 1962

After watching the Pathé newsreel footage of the match, Iain noted that his father's try was captured in a brief sequence, with the camera cutting away to the crowd before returning to show Smith scoring.

The try marked the beginning of Smith's 33-cap career with the national team, during which he was selected for every international match he was available to play until his retirement in 1962.

Smith also captained Scotland on multiple occasions and participated in two British Lions tours, in 1955 and 1962, when he was appointed team captain.

At the time, Smith was the first Scottish captain of the British Lions since David MacMyn in 1927.

In addition to his sporting achievements, Smith built a successful career in finance, working with several brokerage firms.

At the time of his death, Smith was an executive with the Edinburgh Fund Managers.

A black and white photograph of Arthur Smith as a young man. He is smiling broadly and wearing a dark-coloured rugby top. he is surrounded by others in similar clothes. — Smith was playing for Ebbw Vale when he was chosen to captain the Scotland side in 1960

Smith had lived in various locations, including Wales and Newcastle, before settling in Edinburgh with his wife, Judith, in 1960.

According to Iain, his father was motivated to earn a higher income to support their family.

Iain described his father as a pioneer in using statistical analysis to inform investment decisions, a concept that may seem obvious today but was innovative at the time.

Smith's educational foundation was laid at Kirkcudbright Academy, and pupils there continue to benefit from a fund established in his name.

The Arthur Smith Memorial Fund provides grants of up to £3,000 to support students during their tertiary education.

Anthony Tuffery, head teacher at Kirkcudbright Academy, noted that applicants are informed about the life and achievements of the man behind the fund.

While the fund has helped numerous pupils over the years, efforts are being made to encourage more students to apply, as the current process may be deterring some from doing so.

Photo of Kirkcudbright Academy and car park — Pupils at Kirkcudbright Academy can access a fund in Arthur Smith's name

Iain explained that the fund was initially established by his parents' friends after his father's death to support him, his sisters, and their mother.

The fund has since been expanded to benefit pupils at the academy, and Iain is proud to see his father's legacy continue to make a positive impact.

When asked if he ever tires of being known as Arthur's son, Iain laughs it off, saying it has never been a burden and has even led to pleasant conversations and social interactions.

Iain, along with his sisters, takes pride in their father's enduring legacy, which continues to inspire and support students at the school where his own journey to excellence began.

The family is heartened to see the fund continue to make a difference in the lives of young people, a testament to Arthur Smith's lasting impact.

As the years pass, Iain and his sisters remain committed to preserving their father's memory and ensuring that his legacy continues to benefit future generations.

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Keanu Reeves’ John Wick Video Game Revealed at PlayStation Event

The iconic hitman has made previous appearances in games, however, the version developed by Saber will mark the first instance where the character is voiced by Reeves.

A video game adaptation of the John Wick franchise, which has grossed over $1 billion worldwide, is in development, with Keanu Reeves set to lend his likeness and voice to the project.

An in game screenshot of a video game version of Keanu Reeves as the character John Wick. He is wearing a suit and looking at the camera.

The game, currently titled "Untitled John Wick Game", is being developed by Saber Interactive, the studio behind Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, in collaboration with Chad Stahelski, director of the John Wick film series.

A trailer for the game, expected to serve as a prequel to the film series, was unveiled during PlayStation's "State of Play" event on Thursday.

The event also featured announcements for remakes of several major game franchises, including the God of War trilogy, as well as a special 30th-anniversary edition of the classic platformer Rayman.

The John Wick film series, which has earned over $1 billion globally, follows the story of a retired assassin, played by Keanu Reeves, as he seeks vengeance in a world of high-stakes action.

Although the character of John Wick has appeared in games before, this will be the first time Keanu Reeves has provided his voice for the role.

Reeves has previous experience in the gaming industry, having played a key role in the hit game Cyberpunk 2077 as the character Johnny Silverhand.

According to Matthew Karch, CEO of Saber Interactive, the development team is "honored" to be working with Chad Stahelski and Keanu Reeves to bring the John Wick universe to life in a AAA game.

The game's story will be an original narrative designed for mature audiences, featuring a mix of familiar characters from the film series and new ones.

Jenefer Brown, president of global products at Lionsgate, the producer of the John Wick films, expressed the company's goal of capturing the "intense action" and "distinctive fight choreography" that define the franchise.

The reaction to the game's announcement has been largely positive among fans on social media.

However, some fans have expressed concerns about the potential impact on Saber Interactive's other projects, including the long-awaited remake of the classic Star Wars game Knights of the Old Republic.

Christopher Dring, editor-in-chief of The Game Business, believes that the John Wick game is a strong fit for Saber Interactive, given the studio's experience with action-oriented IPs and its ability to release multiple games across various genres.

Dring notes that Saber Interactive operates as a collective of studios working on multiple IPs, allowing it to release a diverse range of games annually.

During the same event, Sony announced that Santa Monica Studios is working on remakes of the first three God of War games, building on one of the platform's most successful franchises.

An in-game screenshot of Silent Hill Townfall. We see the back of a man who is looking at a sign that says "Welcome to St. Amelia". — Konami's trailer for Silent Hill Townfall revealed it is set in St Amelia, a "fictional island inspired by Scotland"

Although a release date for the God of War remakes was not provided, Sony did announce a surprise side-scrolling prequel game, Sons of Sparta, which is available now.

The event also offered a first look at Townfall, the latest installment in the Silent Hill series, set on the fictional island of St. Amelia, which draws inspiration from Scotland.

A 30th-anniversary edition of the classic platformer Rayman was also announced, featuring five versions of the 1995 game, along with a near-immediate release.

Loic Gounon, brand producer for the Rayman games, discussed the anniversary edition with the BBC, highlighting the inclusion of a new documentary that explores the making of the original game, as well as accessibility features designed to enhance the experience for modern players.

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Tottenham set to appoint temporary boss ahead of permanent summer hire

Tottenham expect to appoint an interim manager to oversee the team for the rest of the season by this weekend, with plans to make a permanent appointment in the summer.

The task of finding a successor to Thomas Frank has fallen to Johan Lange and Vinai Venkatesham, who are overseeing the selection process.

Tottenham Hotspur intends to appoint an interim manager to see out the current season, with a view to making a more permanent appointment during the summer months.

The dismissal of Thomas Frank occurred earlier this week, at a time when the team was five points clear of the relegation zone.

According to sources close to BBC Sport, Tottenham Hotspur is expected to finalize an agreement with an interim manager before the team resumes training on Monday.

Following their early exit from the FA Cup in the third round, Tottenham has a nine-day break before facing Arsenal in the north London derby on February 22.

With no match scheduled for this weekend, the first-team squad has been given a brief break and is set to return to training on Monday.

The club is aware that the mid-season transfer window presents limited options, and it may be more feasible to secure a long-term manager at the end of the campaign.

An in-depth examination of Thomas Frank's tenure reveals the challenges he faced in winning over players and fans.

A closer look at Frank's time at Tottenham highlights the risks involved in his appointment and the ultimate failure of his tenure.

Although the search for an interim manager is still ongoing, the successful candidate will be considered for the permanent position if they perform well in the role.

Former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino is a potential candidate to take the reins on a permanent basis, particularly since his contract with the US men's national team is set to expire after the World Cup this summer.

Another candidate being considered is Roberto De Zerbi, who recently parted ways with French club Marseille by mutual consent.

For the latest news, analysis, and fan perspectives on Tottenham, please refer to our dedicated section.

If you have any questions about Tottenham, feel free to ask and we will do our best to provide you with the information you are looking for.

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Aberdeen to unveil new manager soon with Docherty set to take assistant role

Aberdeen has bolstered its interim management team with the return of Tony Docherty, who previously served as an assistant manager, to support Peter Leven, amid anticipation of a permanent appointment announcement that sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel had indicated would be made “imminently”.

Ross County parted ways with Tony Docherty in December, and he has now taken on a new role.

Aberdeen have brought in former assistant manager Tony Docherty to support Peter Leven's interim management team, despite sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel indicating that a permanent appointment was imminent.

Docherty's return to Aberdeen comes just a week after Eirik Horneland, a former coach of Rosenborg, Brann, and Saint-Etienne, emerged as a top contender to succeed Jimmy Thelin, who was sacked earlier.

As Aberdeen delays making a full-time appointment, speculation surrounding Eirik Horneland's availability has arisen, with reports suggesting the 50-year-old Norwegian may not be able to take on the role until summer.

Since Jimmy Thelin's dismissal on January 4, Lutz Pfannenstiel has been leading the search for a replacement, and he confirmed that Tony Docherty would be joining the team to assist Peter Leven during the interim period.

Dundee Utd are facing a challenging schedule, with four matches in 14 days set to take place on a weather-affected pitch.

According to Stavrum, Eirik Horneland's coaching style, characterized by intensity, would be a good fit for Aberdeen.

Tony Docherty initially joined Aberdeen in 2013 as part of Derek McInnes' management team and spent eight years at the club.

Before his stint at Aberdeen, Docherty served as McInnes' assistant at Kilmarnock and later managed Dundee and Ross County, but his time at Ross County ended in December when he was let go with the team at the bottom of the Championship.

Lutz Pfannenstiel praised Tony Docherty's experience, stating that he has a deep understanding of the club and will be a valuable asset during the transition period.

Pfannenstiel highlighted Docherty's extensive knowledge of the Scottish Premiership, gained through his experience as both a coach and manager, which will be beneficial to the team in the short term.

The club's managerial search is nearing its conclusion, and an announcement regarding the new head coach is expected soon, according to Pfannenstiel.

Peter Leven, who is serving as caretaker manager for the third time, expressed his enthusiasm for Tony Docherty's appointment.

Leven welcomed Docherty's return, stating that his experience will be a significant boost to the team, particularly during the upcoming matches.

Leven noted that Docherty was eager to join the team and that his presence will provide valuable support during both training sessions and matches.

Eirik Horneland left his position at Saint-Etienne in early February, at which point his team was fourth in France's second tier.

If Aberdeen decides to wait until summer for Horneland to take over, it will be similar to the six-month delay that occurred when Jimmy Thelin joined the club from Elfsborg in the summer of 2024.

For the latest news, analysis, and fan perspectives on Aberdeen, visit our dedicated page.