Gary Smith (footballer, born 1968)

Gary Smith

Smith with Colorado Rapids
Personal information
Full name Gary Neil Smith[1]
Date of birth (1968-12-03) 3 December 1968[2]
Place of birth Harlow, England[3]
Playing position Midfielder[4]
Youth career
1982–1983 Arsenal
1983–1985 Fulham
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
1985–1987 Fulham 1 (0)
1987–1988 Colchester United 11 (0)
1989 Enfield 1 (0)
1990–1992 Wycombe Wanderers 66 (4)
1992–1993 Welling United ? (?)
1993–1995 Barnet 14 (0)
1995–1997 Aylesbury United 48 (0)
Total 141 (4)
Teams managed
2008–2011 Colorado Rapids
2012–2013 Stevenage
2014–2016 Atlanta Silverbacks

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only.

† Appearances (goals)

Gary Neil Smith (born 3 December 1968) is an English former footballer. He was most recently the head coach of the Atlanta Silverbacks in the North American Soccer League.[5]

Smith's playing career began at Fulham, progressing through the youth team before making one first-team appearance for the club. After a brief spell with Colchester United, Smith joined non-league side Enfield in 1989. His most successful spell during his playing days was at Wycombe Wanderers, spending two seasons with the club. After a season with Welling United, Smith returned to the Football League in 1993, when he signed for Barnet. Following a spell at Aylesbury United, Smith retired as a professional player, with his career blighted through numerous injuries.

He turned to the coaching side of the game in an attempt to forge a career for himself following his premature retirement. After a spell coaching at Wimbledon, Smith was appointed youth team coach at Wycombe Wanderers in 2004. He joined Watford ahead of the 2005–06 campaign, combining the roles of reserve team manager with his U18 managerial duties. Smith then worked as a scout for Arsenal in 2007. His first managerial post was at MLS side Colorado Rapids, when he was appointed as manager in November 2008, following a successful spell as interim head coach. He spent three seasons at Colorado, with the club winning the 2010 MLS Cup, the first major trophy in the club's history. Despite his success, Colorado opted against renewing Smith's contract in November 2011. In January 2012, Smith was appointed as manager of League One side Stevenage. He guided the club to the League One play-offs that season, where they were defeated over two legs in the semi-final. In March 2013, he was sacked by the club after a poor run of form during the second half of the 2012–13 season.

Playing career

After a brief spell at Arsenal as a schoolboy,[6] Smith joined Fulham's youth academy in 1983.[7] He progressed through the youth ranks at the club, and made one first-team appearance during the 1985–86 season.[7] Smith was released in 1987, having spent four years on the books at Fulham.[7] Smith signed for Colchester United on a free transfer in November 1987, making his debut at the age of 18 in a 2–1 away victory at Halifax Town.[2] He went on to make 12 appearances for Colchester in all competitions during the 1987–88 season, his last a 4–0 defeat to Bolton Wanderers on 2 May 1988.[2] He was released by the club at the end of the season.[2][6] After a spell at Enfield in the first half of the 1989–90 season, where he appeared against Darlington in October 1989,[8] Smith joined Wycombe Wanderers in January 1990.[9] It was to be Smith's most successful spell during his playing days, scoring four goals in 66 Football Conference games over two seasons.[9] However, towards the end of his time at the club, he suffered a number of injuries, including a compound fracture that Smith would never fully recover from.[6] After spending a season at Welling United, Smith returned to the Football League in 1993, signing for Barnet, spending two seasons with the club, with Smith suffering similar injury problems.[7][10] He spent time at Aylesbury United during the 1995–96 campaign,[2] making his debut in 1–0 away defeat to Dulwich Hamlet on the opening day of the season.[11] Smith went on to make 43 appearances in all competitions for Aylesbury during the season.[12] He remained at Aylesbury for a further season, making his final appearance for the club in a 3–1 victory against Heybridge Swifts in April 1997.[12] It was to be Smith's final game, as injuries forced him into a premature retirement in 1997 at the age of just 27.[6]

Coaching career

Smith began his coaching career with Wimbledon at the age of 28, gaining his UEFA 'A' licence coaching badge two years later.[6] After Wimbledon's relocation to Milton Keynes, manager Tony Adams offered Smith the chance to take up the role of youth team coach at Wycombe Wanderers in 2004, where he later became assistant first team coach.[6] Following the resignation of Adams, Smith briefly filled the role of assistant manager to caretaker manager Keith Ryan in November 2004,[13] and the club were unbeaten under their guidance.[14] Smith reverted to his previous role of youth team coach when Wycombe appointed manager John Gorman on 30 November 2004.[15] Ahead of the 2005–06 campaign, Smith was offered the chance to take up the post of assistant academy manager at Championship side Watford, formally taking the position on 24 June 2005.[16] Wycombe manager Gorman stated — "I will miss Gary. He helped Keith Ryan in the time between Tony leaving and me arriving and they did a great job. We didn't want to lose him but he's been headhunted and you can't stop someone from having an opportunity. He's a very good coach at this level and I think he'll go onto do a great job".[17]

In July 2005, after just a month as assistant academy manager, Smith was appointed as reserve team coach for Watford.[6][18][19] It was announced that Smith would take control of the reserve side on matchdays, as well as act as the Academy U18 team manager, thus taking on dual responsibilities.[20] Smith later worked as a scout for Arsenal in 2007.[21]

Colorado Rapids

Smith joined MLS side Colorado Rapids in February 2008, originally to establish Arsenal's academy in Colorado[22] – with Arsenal and Colorado Rapids having forged a strong "strategic partnership" due to Stan Kroenke's ownership.[6] However, Smith stated his role "unexpectedly took on a different nature" as he spent more time supporting the first-team, subsequently taking the job as assistant manager.[6] He assumed an interim head coach position during the latter half of 2008 following the resignation of his predecessor, Fernando Clavijo, with Colorado bottom of the league table.[23] After a successful ten-game trial period, Smith was formally given the head coach position on 11 November 2008, signing a three-year contract with the club.[23] Smith's first game in-charge as head coach was a 2–1 defeat to Chivas USA on 22 March 2009, the club's first match of the 2009 MLS campaign.[24][25] He secured his first win as head coach a week later as Colorado beat Kansas City Wizards 2–1 at Dick's Sporting Goods Park.[26] During Colorado's 2009 campaign, Smith guided the club to a ninth-place finish, narrowly missing out on the MLS Cup play-offs following a 3–0 away defeat to eventual MLS Cup winners Real Salt Lake on the last day of the season.[27] The victory subsequently meant that RSL took the final play-off position on goal difference ahead of Colorado.[28]

Smith remained at Colorado ahead of the 2010 season, revamping the squad from the previous season, as well as making numerous inexpensive moves to sign low-key MLS players. The club started the season positively,[29] and ultimately secured a spot in the MLS Cup play-offs after finishing in seventh place.[30] During the regular season, Colorado boasted the best home record in the division, similarly to the 2009 campaign under Smith.[7] Smith's side beat Columbus Crew on penalties following a 2–2 aggregate draw in the play-off semi-finals,[31][32] before disposing of San Jose Earthquakes in the Conference Final courtesy of a 1–0 home victory on 13 November 2010.[33] Eight days later, on 21 November 2010, Colorado beat FC Dallas in the Final following a 2–1 extra-time victory, to win the 2010 MLS Cup.[34][35] The victory meant that Smith had guided Colorado to their first MLS Cup championship, and also the first major trophy in the club's history.[36] Smith also became the first English coach to win the MLS Cup championship.[36]

Smith's third season at Colorado got off to a strong start, with the club recording three successive league victories.[37][38][39] However, Colorado "endured a difficult season" from then onwards,[40] with the club struggling with injuries to key players such as Conor Casey, Caleb Folan, Pablo Mastroeni, Drew Moor and Jamie Smith.[40] As a result of the 2010 MLS Cup victory, Colorado were also participating in the CONCACAF Champions League for the first time in their history, but were knocked out in the group stage as a result of a 2–0 defeat to Santos Laguna in the last group match, consequently finishing in third place.[41] Smith guided the club to a sixth-place finish in the league, with Colorado defeating Columbus Crew in the first-round wild-card match.[42] They were, however, defeated 4–0 on aggregate by Sporting Kansas City in the Conference semi-finals in November 2011.[43][44]

Five days after the defeat to Kansas City, it was announced that Colorado had opted against renewing Smith's contract at the end of the 2011 MLS season.[45][46] Colorado had initially offered Smith a four-year contract extension following the progression the club had made, but disagreement over decision making processes resulted in the club and Smith parting ways.[46] On ending Smith's three-year tenure with the club, Colorado's managing director Jeff Plush, announced that "it would be in the best interest of both parties to move in a different direction".[47][48] Following his departure from Colorado, Smith stated that his role at the club had become untenable because Plush, alongside technical director Paul Bravo and, "bizarrely", chief marketing officer Tim Hinchey, had an "increased role in the construction of the roster".[40] Smith stated — "Paul, Jeff, Tim, they were involved in the player decisions, and they were the source of a lot of conflict. When I took the job, I was told I would have the final say. But over time that required more confrontation, more energy, and I was sick and tired of the backbiting".[40]

Stevenage

Smith was appointed as manager of League One side Stevenage on 25 January 2012, signing a contract until 2014.[49][50] He had watched Stevenage's 4–2 victory against Milton Keynes at Broadhall Way a day prior to his appointment.[51] On joining Stevenage, Smith stated — "This team is on such a good run, there isn't an awful lot I want to change about the group. I hope I can be a support for some of the guys and point them in a direction if needed".[52] Smith's first game in-charge of the club was a home FA Cup tie against Notts County, played on 28 January, with Stevenage winning the match 1–0.[53] The victory meant Stevenage progressed to the Fifth Round of the competition for the first time in their history.[53][54] Stevenage would go on to take Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur to a replay,[55] before losing 3–1 at White Hart Lane.[56] Smith's first league game as manager was a trip to Hillsborough to face Sheffield Wednesday on 14 February, with Stevenage securing a 1–0 away victory.[57] Stevenage went on to win just one league game out of the following thirteen, although nine of which were draws.[58] The run of form left Stevenage in ninth position, and six points behind the play-off places with just five games remaining.[59] A run of four wins out of their last five matches, two of which against play-off rivals Carlisle United and Brentford,[60][61] and another a 6–0 away win against Yeovil Town,[62] meant that Stevenage ended up securing the final play-off spot on goal difference – following a 3–0 home victory against Bury on the last day of the season.[63] Smith's side went on to lose to Sheffield United in the play-off semi-final by an aggregate scoreline of 1–0.[64][65]

Smith went about trying to rebuild the squad ahead of the 2012–13 season following a mass exodus of players.[66] Despite his best efforts to retain a number of players from the previous season,[66] fifteen players departed during the summer; seven of which were released,[67] four rejected contracts to move to Preston North End, while a further three moved for undisclosed fees.[68] Smith signed thirteen players before the summer transfer window closed, most of which on free transfers, although James Dunne and Lucas Akins joined for undisclosed fees.[69][70] Despite the squad overhaul, Stevenage began the season positively, going on an eleven match unbeaten run.[71] After a 2–1 home victory over Portsmouth in late October 2012,[72] Stevenage found themselves in second place, just a point behind league leaders Tranmere Rovers.[73] However, Stevenage were defeated heavily in three of their next four matches, conceding four goals in each of the three losses.[74][75] Stevenage had fallen to 15th place.[76] Three days after the victory over Sheffield United, on 19 March, Stevenage lost 2–0 away to bottom placed Bury.[77] A day later, Stevenage released a statement announcing Smith had been sacked after a "worrying" run of results.[78][79]

Atlanta Silverbacks

On Dec. 23, 2014, the Atlanta Silverbacks, a team in the second-tier North American Soccer league, announced that Smith would take over as the team's head coach for the 2015 season. The announcement came only weeks after the league announced that it would take over the ownership of the team to prevent it from folding when the previous owners could not find buyers for the team.[80]

Personal life

Smith was born in Harlow, Essex,[3] and grew up in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, with most of his family hailing from Tottenham.[6] His grandparents lived next to White Hart Lane, with Smith recalling being able to hear the roar of the crowd from their back garden.[6] Despite his family all supporting Tottenham Hotspur, Smith supports Arsenal.[6] He and his partner, Emma Penn.[7]

Smith's father, Roger, played for Tottenham Hotspur for six years.[6] After his playing days, Roger became a youth academy coach at Arsenal, before later becoming a scout for the club.[6] Roger was appointed chief scout at Cardiff City in 2008.[6][81]

Managerial statistics

As of 20 March 2013.[24][29][82][83][84]
Team Nat From To Record
GWDLGFGAWin %
Colorado Rapids United States 11 November 2008 8 November 2011 11247353015912641.96
Stevenage England 25 January 2012 20 March 2013 67221926808732.84
Atlanta Silverbacks United States 23 December 2014 Present 1010110
Total 179 69 54 56 239 213 38.55

Honours

Colorado Rapids

References

  1. ↑ Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2005). The PFA Premier & Football League Players' Records 1946–2005. Queen Anne Press. p. 570. ISBN 978-1-85291-665-7.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Player Profile – Gary Smith". Colchester United Data. Retrieved 24 January 2012.
  3. 1 2 "World Football – Rapids part ways with Smith". Yahoo Sport. 8 November 2011. Retrieved 24 January 2012.
  4. ↑ "Ex-Fulham midfielder Smith hoping to remain as Colorado Rapids head coach". Tribal Football. 14 October 2011. Retrieved 24 January 2012.
  5. ↑ http://www.atlantasilverbacksfc.com/news/detail/uuid/1spqt1pw81xr81po1ogy57hfz5/atlanta-silverbacks-name-gary-smith-head-coach#.VJmSKsoAIA
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 "Gary Smith's Rapid Rise in Colorado". Arsenal F.C. 17 November 2009. Retrieved 22 January 2012.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Technical Staff – Gary Smith" (PDF). Colorado Rapids. Retrieved 24 January 2012.
  8. ↑ Enfield vs Darlington match programme 7 October 1989. Retrieved 19 April 2012.
  9. 1 2 "Quick Guide to Fulham". Chairboys. Archived from the original on 21 May 2009. Retrieved 24 January 2012.
  10. ↑ "Former Barnet Players – Gary Smith". Barnet Norway. Retrieved 2 February 2012.
  11. ↑ "Dulwich Hamlet 1–0 Aylesbury United". Aylesbury United F.C. Retrieved 26 January 2012.
  12. 1 2 "Profile of Gary Smith". Aylesbury United F.C. Retrieved 26 January 2012.
  13. ↑ "Ryan takes temporary Wycombe helm". BBC Sport. 15 November 2004. Retrieved 23 January 2012.
  14. ↑ "Wycombe Wanderers 2004/05 Results". Soccerbase. Retrieved 23 January 2012.
  15. ↑ "Gorman appointed Wycombe manager". BBC Sport. 30 November 2004. Retrieved 23 January 2012.
  16. ↑ "Smith moves on". Wycombe Wanderers F.C. 24 June 2005. Retrieved 23 January 2012.
  17. ↑ "I'll miss Gary – Gorman". Wycombe Wanderers F.C. 27 June 2005. Retrieved 23 January 2012.
  18. ↑ "Watford Res 3–1 Coventry Res". Watford F.C. 11 October 2005. Retrieved 23 January 2012.
  19. ↑ "Smith: 'You could see the difference between the teams'". Watford F.C. 6 December 2005. Retrieved 23 January 2012.
  20. ↑ "Tottenham H Res 4–1 Watford Res". Watford F.C. 9 August 2005. Retrieved 23 January 2012.
  21. ↑ "In search of 'Silent Stan'". BBC Sport. 17 November 2009. Retrieved 22 January 2012.
  22. ↑ "Arsenal reveal plans for American academy". Daily Mail. 8 February 2008. Retrieved 23 January 2012.
  23. 1 2 "Smith hired; Mastroeni signs". Denver Post. 12 November 2008. Retrieved 22 January 2012.
  24. 1 2 "Colorado Rapids – 2009 schedule". Colorado Rapids. Retrieved 24 January 2012.
  25. ↑ "Chivas USA 2–1 Colorado Rapids". Soccerway. 22 March 2009. Retrieved 22 January 2012.
  26. ↑ "Colorado Rapids 2–1 Kansas City Wizards". Soccerway. 29 March 2009. Retrieved 22 January 2012.
  27. ↑ "Real Salt Lake 3–0 Colorado Rapids". Soccerway. 25 October 2009. Retrieved 23 January 2012.
  28. ↑ "MLS Standings – 2009". MLS Soccer. Retrieved 23 January 2012.
  29. 1 2 "Colorado Rapids – 2010 schedule". Colorado Rapids. Retrieved 24 January 2012.
  30. ↑ "MLS Standings – 2010". MLS Soccer. Retrieved 23 January 2012.
  31. ↑ "Colorado Rapids 1–0 Columbus Crew". Soccerway. 29 October 2010. Retrieved 23 January 2012.
  32. ↑ "Columbus Crew 2–1 Colorado Rapids". Soccerway. 6 November 2010. Retrieved 23 January 2012.
  33. ↑ "Colorado Rapids 1–0 San Jose Earthquakes". Soccerway. 13 November 2010. Retrieved 23 January 2012.
  34. ↑ "Colorado Rapids win first MLS Cup on own goal". Yahoo Sports. 22 November 2010. Retrieved 23 January 2012.
  35. ↑ "Dallas 1–2 Colorado Rapids (AET)". Soccerway. 22 November 2010. Retrieved 23 January 2012.
  36. 1 2 "Premiership power fuels Colorado's rise". Yahoo Sports. 22 November 2010. Retrieved 23 January 2012.
  37. ↑ "Colorado Rapids 3–1 Portland Timbers". Soccerway. 20 March 2011. Retrieved 23 January 2012.
  38. ↑ "Chivas USA 0–1 Colorado Rapids". Soccerway. 27 March 2011. Retrieved 23 January 2012.
  39. ↑ "Colorado Rapids 4–1 DC United". Soccerway. 4 April 2011. Retrieved 23 January 2012.
  40. 1 2 3 4 "Smith departs Rapids amid bad blood". ESPN. 8 November 2011. Retrieved 22 January 2012.
  41. ↑ "Santos Laguna 2–0 Colorado Rapids". Soccerway. 20 October 2011. Retrieved 23 January 2012.
  42. ↑ "Colorado Rapids 1–0 Columbus Crew (Wildcard match)". Soccerway. 28 October 2011. Retrieved 23 January 2012.
  43. ↑ "Colorado Rapids 0–2 Sporting Kansas City". Soccerway. 30 October 2011. Retrieved 23 January 2012.
  44. ↑ "Sporting Kansas City 2–0 Colorado Rapids". Soccerway. 2 November 2011. Retrieved 23 January 2012.
  45. ↑ "Rapids, Smith part ways after rocky 2011 campaign". MLS Soccer. 7 November 2011. Retrieved 23 January 2012.
  46. 1 2 "Rapids fire coach Gary Smith". ESPN. 7 November 2011. Retrieved 24 January 2012.
  47. ↑ "Rapids part ways with English coach Smith". Four Four Two. 8 November 2011. Retrieved 22 January 2012.
  48. ↑ "Gary Smith fired by Colorado Rapids after more than three years at helm". Denver Post. 7 November 2011. Retrieved 23 January 2012.
  49. ↑ "Stevenage appoint Gary Smith as manager". Stevenage F.C. 25 January 2012. Retrieved 25 January 2012.
  50. ↑ "Stevenage appoint Gary Smith as Graham Westley's successor". BBC Sport. 25 January 2012. Retrieved 25 January 2012.
  51. ↑ "Smith revels in Boro form". Yahoo Sport. 25 January 2012. Retrieved 25 January 2012.
  52. ↑ "Freeview: Gary Smith talks to BoroPlayer". Stevenage F.C. 25 January 2012. Retrieved 25 January 2012.
  53. 1 2 "Stevenage 1–0 Notts County". BBC Sport. 28 January 2012. Retrieved 28 January 2012.
  54. ↑ "Stevenage FC 1–0 Notts County". Stevenage F.C. 28 January 2012. Retrieved 28 January 2012.
  55. ↑ "Stevenage 0–0 Tottenham". BBC Sport. 19 February 2012. Retrieved 19 February 2012.
  56. ↑ "Tottenham 3–1 Stevenage". BBC Sport. 8 March 2012. Retrieved 8 March 2012.
  57. ↑ "Sheffield Wednesday 0–1 Stevenage FC". Stevenage F.C. 14 February 2012. Retrieved 14 February 2012.
  58. ↑ "Stevenage 1–1 Wycombe". BBC Sport. 31 March 2012. Retrieved 31 March 2012.
  59. ↑ "English League One 2011–2012 : Table". Statto.com. Retrieved 21 April 2012.
  60. ↑ "Stevenage 1–0 Carlisle". BBC Sport. 17 April 2012. Retrieved 17 April 2012.
  61. ↑ "Stevenage 2–1 Brentford". BBC Sport. 21 April 2012. Retrieved 21 April 2012.
  62. ↑ "Yeovil 0–6 Stevenage". BBC Sport. 14 April 2012. Retrieved 14 April 2012.
  63. ↑ "Stevenage 3–0 Bury". BBC Sport. 5 May 2012. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
  64. ↑ "Stevenage 0–0 Sheffield United". BBC Sport. 11 May 2012. Retrieved 11 May 2012.
  65. ↑ "Sheffield United 1–0 Stevenage". BBC Sport. 14 May 2012. Retrieved 14 May 2012.
  66. 1 2 "Stevenage boss Gary Smith will fight exodus of players". BBC Sport. 16 May 2012. Retrieved 20 March 2013.
  67. ↑ "Seven depart as Boro build". Stevenage F.C. 17 May 2012. Retrieved 20 March 2013.
  68. ↑ "Bostwick and Wilson move to Championship clubs". Stevenage F.C. 9 July 2012. Retrieved 20 March 2013.
  69. ↑ "Dunne and Arnold sign for Stevenage". Stevenage F.C. 24 May 2012. Retrieved 20 March 2013.
  70. ↑ "Boro swoop for Tranmere star". Stevenage F.C. 2 August 2012. Retrieved 20 March 2013.
  71. ↑ "Stevenage 1–0 Scunthorpe". BBC Sport. 6 October 2012. Retrieved 20 March 2013.
  72. ↑ "Stevenage 2–1 Portsmouth". BBC Sport. 23 October 2012. Retrieved 20 March 2013.
  73. ↑ "Custom – English League One 2012–2013 : Table". Statto.com. Retrieved 20 March 2013.
  74. ↑ "Stevenage 0–4 Swindon". BBC Sport. 27 October 2012. Retrieved 20 March 2013.
  75. ↑ "Sheff Utd 4–1 Stevenage". BBC Sport. 17 November 2012. Retrieved 20 March 2013.
  76. ↑ "Custom – March 2013 – English League One 2012–2013 : Table". Statto.com. Retrieved 20 March 2013.
  77. ↑ "Bury 2–0 Stevenage". BBC Sport. 19 March 2013. Retrieved 20 March 2013.
  78. ↑ "Smith leaves Stevenage". Stevenage F.C. 20 March 2013. Retrieved 20 March 2013.
  79. ↑ "Stevenage sack manager Gary Smith after 'worrying' run". BBC Sport. 20 March 2010.
  80. ↑ http://atlallday.com/2014/12/03/atlanta-silverbacks-set-return-nasl-2015/
  81. ↑ "Gunner Smith has an eye for talent". South Wales Echo. 14 August 2008. Retrieved 23 January 2012.
  82. ↑ "Colorado Rapids – 2011 schedule". Colorado Rapids. Retrieved 24 January 2012.
  83. ↑ "Season Guide – 2011/12". Boroguide. Retrieved 30 January 2012.
  84. ↑ "Season Guide – 2012/13". Boroguide. Retrieved 1 August 2012.
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