Gary Smith (footballer, born 1984)

Last updated

Gary Smith
Smith, Gary Stephen.jpg
Smith in 2011
Personal information
Full name Gary Stephen Smith [1]
Date of birth (1984-01-30) 30 January 1984 (age 40) [1]
Place of birth Middlesbrough, England
Height 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) [2]
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
1999–2003 Middlesbrough
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2003–2004 Middlesbrough 0 (0)
2004 → Wimbledon (loan) 11 (3)
2004–2007 Milton Keynes Dons 71 (5)
2007–2009 Brentford 33 (1)
2009–2011 Darlington 71 (2)
0000–2012 Brotton Railway Arms
Total186(11)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Gary Stephen Smith (born 30 January 1984) is an English retired professional footballer who played in the Football League for Milton Keynes Dons, Brentford and Darlington as a midfielder.

Contents

Career

Middlesbrough

A midfielder, Smith began his career in the academy at hometown Premier League club Middlesbrough and signed his first professional contract in July 2002. [1] While a reserve team player, Smith admitted liability for breaking the leg of Manchester United midfielder Ben Collett, who was eventually forced to retire from football due to the tackle. [3] Smith failed to win a call into the first team squad before being released at the end of the 2003–04 season. [4]

Milton Keynes Dons

On 23 March 2004, Smith joined Milton Keynes-based First Division strugglers Wimbledon on loan until the end of the 2003–04 season. [5] The following day, he made the first senior appearance of his career as a 37th-minute substitute for Albert Jarrett in a 1–0 defeat to Millwall. [6] Smith scored the first senior goal of his career in the following match, with what proved to be a consolation in a 2–1 defeat to Ipswich Town. [6] He finished the season with 11 appearances and three goals, [6] but despite suffering relegation to League One, Smith signed a three-year contract with the club (now renamed Milton Keynes Dons) on a free transfer in May 2004. [7]

Over the course of the 2004–05, 2005–06 and 2006–07 seasons and despite being a popular player, [8] [9] [10] Smith found himself in and out of the team and was out of favour with new manager Martin Allen after the Dons' relegation to League Two in 2006. [11] He played no part in the Dons' 2007 Football League play-off campaign, [10] in which the club's hopes of a return to League One were ended in the semi-finals by Shrewsbury Town. [12] Smith was released in May 2007, [13] having made 91 appearances and scored 12 goals in just over three seasons for Wimbledon and Milton Keynes Dons. [14]

Brentford

On 1 August 2007, Smith signed a one-year contract with newly relegated League Two club Brentford on a free transfer. [15] He found it difficult to settle in a turbulent time under new manager Terry Butcher, [16] but after Butcher's sacking in December 2007, [17] his assistant Andy Scott took over and Smith finished the season ever-present in the team. [18] He signed a new 18-month contract in January 2008. [16] He finished the 2007–08 season with 32 appearances and 1 goal, [18] which came with a low-drilled shot in a 2–1 victory over Chesterfield on 12 January 2008. [19]

An ankle injury reduced Smith to just four appearances during the 2008–09 season, [20] [21] which was not enough for him to claim a medal as Brentford sealed a return to League One after winning the League Two championship. [22] He was released in May 2009, [23] having made just 36 appearances and scored one goal in two seasons at Griffin Park. [14]

Darlington

Smith remained in League Two to join Darlington on a free transfer on 1 July 2009. [24] He made 38 appearances and scored one goal in a disastrous season for the Quakers, [25] which resulted in relegation to the Conference Premier, [26] but he signed a new contract to remain with the club. [27] Despite suffering from niggling thigh, knee and ankle injuries, [28] Smith had a good 2010–11 season, scoring five goals in 45 appearances and helping the club to a 7th-place finish and the FA Trophy Final. [26] [29] Despite victory versus Mansfield Town at Wembley Stadium, [30] Smith suffered an injury to his cruciate and medial ligaments on 39 minutes and was substituted for Aman Verma. [31] The club was unable to offer a new contract and he was released at the end of the 2010–11 season, [31] having made 83 appearances and scored 6 goals during two seasons at the Darlington Arena. [29]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Wimbledon (loan) 2003–04 [6] First Division 113———113
Milton Keynes Dons 2004–05 [8] League One 23130101 [lower-alpha 1] 0281
2005–06 [9] League One25321002 [lower-alpha 1] 3297
2006–07 [10] League Two 231000000231
Wimbledon/MK Dons total8285110339112
Brentford 2007–08 [18] League Two29110101 [lower-alpha 1] 0321
2008–09 [20] League Two4000000040
Total331101010361
Darlington 2009–10 [25] League Two34110102 [lower-alpha 1] 0381
2010–11 [29] Conference Premier 37122—7 [lower-alpha 2] 2465
Total712321092846
Career total18611933013521119
  1. 1 2 3 4 Appearances in Football League Trophy
  2. ↑ Appearances in FA Trophy. For appearance omitted by Soccerway: [32]

Honours

Darlington

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Darren Potter</span> Footballer (born 1984)

Darren Michael Potter is a former professional footballer. A midfielder, he made 502 league and cup appearances in a 16-year career in the Premier League and English Football League. Born in England, he won five caps for the Republic of Ireland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jemal Johnson</span> American former soccer player

Jemal Pierre Johnson is an American former professional soccer player. In a 15-year career, he scored 53 goals in 391 league and cup appearances.

Benjamin Francis Joseph Chorley is an English former footballer who played as a defender. He is currently the director of football at Valenciennes FC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dean Bowditch</span> English footballer

Dean Peter Bowditch is an English former professional footballer who played as a midfielder or forward.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sam Baldock</span> English footballer

Samuel Edward Thomas Baldock is an English former professional footballer who last played as a striker for Oxford United. He also played for Milton Keynes Dons, West Ham United, Bristol City, Brighton & Hove Albion, Reading, Derby County and made two appearances for England U20.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gary MacKenzie</span> Scottish footballer

Gary MacKenzie is a Scottish retired professional footballer who played as a defender. He was called up to the Scotland national side in 2011 and 2012, but has not played in a full international match.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paul Huntington</span> English footballer

Paul David Huntington is an English professional footballer with over 530 appearances across all four divisions who plays as a centre-back for Carlisle United.

David McCracken is a Scottish football player and coach, whose last role was as co-manager of Falkirk between 2019 and 2021. McCracken, who played as a central defender, was a Scotland under-21 internationalist, having made five appearances at that level between 2001 and 2003. McCracken started his career with Dundee United in the Scottish Premier League and was a first team player there for seven years before leaving in May 2007. He subsequently played in England for Football League clubs Wycombe Wanderers, Milton Keynes Dons and Brentford before returning to Scotland with St Johnstone in 2011. He joined Falkirk in August 2013, playing with the club for four seasons, before finishing his playing career with Peterhead.

Aaron Thomas Wilbraham is an English football manager and former professional footballer who played as a forward.

Robbie Simpson is an English semi-professional footballer who plays as a forward. Simpson is currently manager at National League South club Chelmsford City.

Mark Richard Carrington is an English former professional footballer. He primarily played as a central midfielder or a right back.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryan Harley</span> English footballer

Ryan Bernard Harley is an English former professional footballer who is currently assistant head coach of Swansea City.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Daniel Powell</span> British footballer (born 1991)

Daniel Vendrys Powell is an English professional footballer who plays as a winger or a striker for Hemel Hempstead Town.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Will Grigg</span> Northern Ireland international footballer (born 1991)

William Donald Grigg is a professional footballer who plays as a striker for National League club Chesterfield.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jordan Cook</span> English footballer (born 1990)

Jordan Alan Cook is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder or a striker for Blyth Spartans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ed Upson</span> English association football player

Edward James Upson is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Isthmian League North Division club Bury Town.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dean Lewington</span> English footballer (born 1984)

Dean Scott Lewington is an English professional footballer and coach who plays as a left-back, as well as a centre-back for EFL League Two club Milton Keynes Dons, where he is club captain. He has held coaching roles at the club, and briefly became interim head coach of the club in August 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ben Gladwin</span> English footballer

Benjamin Thomas Charles Gladwin is an English footballer who plays as a midfielder for League Two club Crawley Town.

Scott Stewart Fraser is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Heart of Midlothian on loan from League One club Charlton Athletic.

Warren Patrick O'Hora is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a defender for EFL League Two club Milton Keynes Dons.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Gary Smith". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 3 March 2019.
  2. ↑ Rollin, Glenda; Rollin, Jack, eds. (2010). Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2010–2011. Headline. p. 460. ISBN   978-0-7553-6107-6.
  3. ↑ "Man Utd player wins £4.5m payout". 11 August 2008. Retrieved 19 October 2017.
  4. ↑ "Played for both: Middlesbrough" . Retrieved 19 October 2017.
  5. ↑ "Dons sign midfield talent". mkdons.com. 23 March 2011. Archived from the original on 17 September 2018. Retrieved 16 September 2018.
  6. 1 2 3 4 "Games played by Gary Smith in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 October 2017.
  7. ↑ "Smith ready for three-year deal". www.miltonkeynes.co.uk. Retrieved 19 October 2017.
  8. 1 2 "Games played by Gary Smith in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 October 2017.
  9. 1 2 "Games played by Gary Smith in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 October 2017.
  10. 1 2 3 "Games played by Gary Smith in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 October 2017.
  11. ↑ "Smith lets rip after Dons release". www.miltonkeynes.co.uk. Retrieved 19 October 2017.
  12. ↑ "MK Dons 1–2 Shrewsbury". 18 May 2007. Retrieved 19 October 2017.
  13. ↑ "Winkelman defends Smith exit". www.miltonkeynes.co.uk. Retrieved 19 October 2017.
  14. 1 2 Gary Smith at Soccerbase
  15. ↑ "Gary's number nine". brentfordfc.co.uk. 1 August 2007. Retrieved 16 September 2018.
  16. 1 2 "Smith extends Brentford contract". 2008. Retrieved 19 October 2017.
  17. ↑ "Boss Butcher leaves Brentford job". 11 December 2007. Retrieved 19 October 2017.
  18. 1 2 3 "Games played by Gary Smith in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 October 2017.
  19. ↑ "Brentford 2–1 Chesterfield". 2008. Retrieved 19 October 2017.
  20. 1 2 "Games played by Gary Smith in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 October 2017.
  21. ↑ Murtagh, Jacob (13 March 2009). "Brentford FC's Gary Smith feels stronger than ever". getwestlondon. Retrieved 19 October 2017.
  22. ↑ "Brentford Complete History - Statto.com". Archived from the original on 15 September 2016. Retrieved 19 October 2017.
  23. ↑ "Scotty releases nine". brentfordfc.co.uk. 6 May 2009. Archived from the original on 2 August 2018. Retrieved 16 September 2018.
  24. ↑ "Meet the players". Darington F.C. 2 July 2009. Archived from the original on 14 June 2018. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  25. 1 2 "Games played by Gary Smith in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 October 2017.
  26. 1 2 "Darlington History". Statto.com. Archived from the original on 31 August 2016.
  27. ↑ Wilkinson, Andrew (12 April 2010). "Quakers can make quick return – Gary Smith". gazettelive. Retrieved 19 October 2017.
  28. ↑ "Smith playing through the pain for Darlington". gazettelive. 28 February 2011. Retrieved 19 October 2017.
  29. 1 2 3 Gary Smith at Soccerway. Retrieved 19 October 2017.
  30. 1 2 "FA Trophy final: Darlington 1–0 Mansfield Town". BBC Sport. 7 May 2011. Retrieved 16 January 2012.
  31. 1 2 "Gary Smith facing a battle to save his career". gazettelive. 27 May 2011. Retrieved 19 October 2017.
  32. ↑ Newsum, Matt (12 March 2011). "Darlington 3–2 Gateshead". BBC Sport. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.