OXFORD United’s legendary former manager Jim Smith has died aged 79.

Smith had two permanent spells in charge, but is best remembered for a thrilling first stint, which began in March 1982.

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He was at the helm as the U’s won back-to-back league titles, transforming them from a Division 3 side to the top tier.

But the Sheffield-born boss never got to manage the U’s in Division 1, as he resigned over a contract dispute with owner Robert Maxwell.

Jim Smith (right), then in charge of QPR, with his Oxford United successor Maurice Evans at the Milk Cup final in 1986

He moved to Queens Park Rangers and, in a twist of fate, faced United in the 1986 Milk Cup final – always maintaining he knew Oxford’s side better than his own.

Smith went on to manage Newcastle United, Portsmouth and Derby County.

But after a string of assistant manager roles he returned to United as part of a consortium which bought the club in March 2006.

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He was unable to keep the U’s in the Football League, but then oversaw a 19-game unbeaten run at the start of the following season in the Conference.

But form soon fell away and Smith’s side were overtaken by Dagenham & Redbridge, before an agonising play-off semi-final defeat to Exeter City on penalties.

Also read: Jim Smith - His Oxford United career in pictures

The hangover carried over into the following campaign and Smith returned to a directorial role in November 2007 with the club mid-table.

He took over the reins for a third time a year later on a caretaker basis, before Chris Wilder was appointed.

The news comes just three days after fellow ex-United boss Ron Saunders died aged 87.