Smith's five-year association with the football club may have ended 16 months ago, but the 60-year-old did not totally sever his ties with the area.

That is until now as Smith and wife Kate prepare to leave their Marford home and move back to his birth-place, Stoke-on-Trent.

Smith will say an emotional farewell to the town that he has embraced since he was revealed as Reds' manager on October 8 2001 in succession to Brian Flynn.

In contrast to his predessor, Smith immediately bought a property in the area and no-one could dispute Smith's eagerness to become a part of the community, and that has continued in the 16 months since he was sacked as manager.

Even though it is time for Smith to go back home, he wanted to pay one last tribute to the fans - and people - who have made his stay in Wrexham an enjoyable one.

"I like to move to the area to get the feel of people. You are not always in a rush to get home because you only live five minutes away like here," said Smith.

"You can do the social things with fans, and feel part of the community and the club.

"It is not just the fans, the people all over North Wales have made me feel welcome.

"I was not sure if they would like me when I took over, and I had just had a plate put in my neck, and could hardly walk.

"But the people have been fantastic and we have fallen in love with the place. Wrexham is a lovely area to live, and the area reflects its people.

"People - young and old - still stop me in town, wishing me all the best. They are all very pleasant.

"In the end you go back to the people who have been superb. We will miss being here and part of the community.

"It is hard to leave but I will keep a lot of friends and definitely come back.

"Myself and Kate are just so sorry to leave. Everyone in the area has treated us so well."

Smith, one of seven children, said that losing a brother prompted him to return to Stoke, the only club he played for in a career that lasted 17 years.

"I've lost a brother, was back in Stoke with the rest of the family one day and thought 'why not go home'?," said Smith. "We saw a place that suited us so we are going back."

Since leaving Wrexham, Smith has worked as a pundit for Radio Stoke and Radio Oxford and undertaken regular work for the Premier League where he has been a delegate on the fair play commitee, and compiled reports on referees.

Asking whether Smith, one of only 16 men to have managed 1,000 league games, harbours ambitions of a return to the profession he has served since taking charge of York CIty in 1982 is a stupid question.

"I would like to go back as manager and I have come close on a few occasions but they have not come off," said Smith.

"I was near enough signing for one but it never happened.

"Kate would be quite happy to keep me at home but I enjoy the work I have done for 40 years.

"Certain aspects I don't like but generally I do miss it.

"I miss making decisions. Sometimes you get them right and others wrong, but it is not something that phases me."

Supporters were divided when Smith, along with assistant Kevin Russell, was sacked after five years and three months at The Racecourse helm.

Results had been disappointing, but many thought Smith, who has also managed Sunderland, Bristol City and West Brom as well as York and Wrexham, needed time to turn things around especially after guiding the cash-strapped club through the most turbulent period in its history.

Smith took it personally when property developer Alex Hamilton tried to evict the club from its ground, and he played his part in helping former directors Dave Bennett and Dave Griffiths save the club from going out of business.

That meant the club having to go into administration in December 2004, and as well as the 10 point deduction, there were more repurcussions.

"Going into administration was the only way to get the ground back. It was the right decision and the club is now more solid," said Smith.