Gary Smith (footballer, born 1984)
 Smith in 2011 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Gary Stephen Smith | ||
| Date of birth | 30 January 1984 | ||
| Place of birth | Middlesbrough, England | ||
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) | ||
| Playing position | Midfielder | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1999–2003 | Middlesbrough | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (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) |
|
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 21:57, 30 June 2011 (UTC). | |||
Gary Stephen Smith[1] (born 30 January 1984) is a professional footballer who is unattached after he was released by Darlington at the end of the 2010–11 season He has also played for Middlesbrough and Milton Keynes Dons and Brentford where he was released by at the end of an injury struck 2008–09 season. He plays as a midfielder.
Career
Smith was born in Middlesbrough, and began his career as a trainee at Middlesbrough F.C. In a reserve match against Manchester United, a tackle from Smith badly injured promising footballer Ben Collett, ending his career in England.[2] He joined Wimbledon on loan following the club's move to Milton Keynes, making the move permanent in the summer of 2004.
Although suffering from numerous spells out injured, he established himself as a fans' favourite due to his attacking style and flair in midfield. Injury struck again, however, in the derby game at Wycombe Wanderers and even though a hobbling Smith characteristically scored the Dons' winner late on in the game, this proved to be his last game for the club as he was one of a number of players released in May 2007.
After impressing in several games in pre-season whilst on trial at Brentford, Smith was offered and signed a one-year contract at Griffin Park in June 2007. At the start of 2008, this was extended to the end of the 2008–09 season, when he was released from the club.
On 1 July 2009 he signed for League Two side Darlington. Darlington were relegated to the Conference National during the 2009–10 season. In the 2010–11 season, Smith picked up the second significant honour of his career, as Darlington lifted the 2011 FA Trophy.[3] Smith was released by the club in June 2011.
Honours
- Brentford
- League Two title winner: 2008–09
- Darlington
References
- ↑ Hugman, Barry, ed. (2005). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2005/2006. Queen Anne Press. p. 377. ISBN 978-1-85291-662-6.
- ↑ "Footballer awaits damages claim over career-ending Boro tackle". The Northern Echo. 4 July 2008. Retrieved 5 July 2008.
- ↑ "FA Trophy final: Darlington 1-0 Mansfield Town". BBC Sport. 7 May 2011. Retrieved 16 January 2012.