Smith is ready to retire - almost!

But the man who inspired Donna Hartley, Roger Black, Kriss Akabusi and Iwan Thomas to track greatness is not ready for his pipe and slippers just yet.

Far from it. Already co-ordinator for sprints and hurdles in the Southern Region, Thornhill-based Smith has taken on a new role as national co-ordinator for his specialist 400 metres event.

"It sounds grander than it actually is," said Smith, with typical modesty.

"What it boils down to is co-ordinating training days and national 400m conferences, dealing with individual coaches and advising them when necessary and keeping an eye open for potential talent."

Smith is working hand in hand with three athletes-turned-coaches who have each been allotted a different age-group.

Windsor-based Tony Lester is in charge of the seniors, Ayo Falola the under-23s, while the under-20s will be in the safe hands of another of Smith's great one-lap success stories, Todd Bennett.

Bennett, the former world indoor 400 metres record holder from Romsey, is now a coach in his own right and is well acquainted with the junior scene having been Great Britain under-20 team manager for the past six years.

Since Smith moved south in 1957, he has made Southampton a goldmine of sprint and hurdles success.

He started out as secretary of the former Southampton Amateur Athletic Club in 1958 and, four years later, stepped up to coaching at senior level.

Almost half a century on he can still be found, stopwatch in hand, putting his group through their paces at Southampton Sports Centre.

There is no sign of him stepping back from the track just yet. For a start, British 400m record holder Iwan Thomas will be relying on his expertise for the defence of his Commonwealth and European crowns this summer after three injury-devastated seasons.

But Smith acknowledges that he is not getting any younger and said: "Although I'm not ready to retire yet, I won't be taking any new athletes into the group. My training days are nearly over."