Alex Smith (footballer born 1985)
Encyclopedia
Alex Smith is an English
-American
footballer who plays for Wellington Phoenix in the A-League
. He was briefly contracted to Gold Coast United, however was released pre-season without making a single appearance for the club. He plays as a striker.
, however moved to the United States aged one. He began his footballing career whilst at college in the United States
. He played 17 times for Centenary College of Louisiana
scoring six times with six assists. In 2004, he was transferred to Southern Methodist University
where he scored a further 13 in 19 appearances for the Mustangs. Returning to England in 2005, Smith trialled with Shrewsbury Town
and Walsall
. However, he was not offered a contract at either club. Returning to America in 2006, he was declared ineligible to continue playing college football by the NCAA
. Deciding to make a career out of football, Smith trialled with MLS
club Kansas City Wizards
before being signed on a one-year contract by FC Dallas
.
where he won the 2010 NSW Super League Player of the Year award.
on debut against South Coast Wolves in Round 1 and scored the only goal in their 1-0 win over 2010 NSW Premier League champions Blacktown City
. Smith played his final game for Olympic in the Round 12, 1-0 win over South Coast Wolves.
. Pleased by what he saw, and further encouraged by his start with Sydney Olympic in the NSW Premier League, United coach Miron Bleiberg
snapped Smith up on a one-year contract for the 2011-12 A-League season
. He officially joined their squad, and had his first proper training session on the 17th June.
Despite Smith joining the Gold Coast for their pre-season, Manager Miron Bleiberg has asked Smith to accept a contract pay out, in exchange for the immediate termination of his one-year contract, as Bleiberg wanted to make sign former Blackburn Rovers striker Maceo Rigters
who had recently turned down a contract with fellow A-League club Wellington Phoenix. On 1 September 2011 it was confirmed that Smith and United had reached an agreement in regards to the termination of his contract.
where it was announced he would re-sign with Sydney Olympic, who opened him with welcome arms. He arrived in time for the Final Round of the NSW Premier League against APIA Leichhardt Tigers, and picked up on where he left off, scoring the opening goal for Olympic in their 3-0 victory, in which Olympic were also crowned Premiers. His return to Belmore would continue to be successful, with Smith opening the scoring in the 2011 NSW Premier League Grand Final against Sydney United
. Olympic would go on to win 2-0, securing the first Premiership and Championship double since the NSL
folded.
After spending the last month traveling from Sydney to the Gold Coast
where he still resides after being unceremoniously dumped from the Gold Coast, it was announced he would fly to Wellington, New Zealand
to trial with A-League club Wellington Phoenix in the hope of securing a 10-match loan guest stint, with the hope of extending it to a full contract.
who broke his arm at training. He made his A-League debut off the bench in the Round 2 victory against the Newcastle Jets in Wellington
.
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
-American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
footballer who plays for Wellington Phoenix in the A-League
A-League
The A-League is the top Australasian professional football league. Run by Australian governing body Football Federation Australia , it was founded in 2004 following the folding of the National Soccer League and staged its inaugural season in 2005–06. It is sponsored by Hyundai Motor Company...
. He was briefly contracted to Gold Coast United, however was released pre-season without making a single appearance for the club. He plays as a striker.
College football
Smith was born in Windsor, EnglandWindsor, England
There are three places called Windsor in England:* Windsor, Berkshire, the primary use of the name and home to Windsor Castle* Windsor, Cornwall* Windsor, Lincolnshire...
, however moved to the United States aged one. He began his footballing career whilst at college in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. He played 17 times for Centenary College of Louisiana
Centenary College of Louisiana
Centenary College of Louisiana is a primarily undergraduate, liberal arts and sciences college in Shreveport, Louisiana. The college is one of the founding members of the Associated Colleges of the South, a pedagogical organization consisting of sixteen Southern liberal arts colleges...
scoring six times with six assists. In 2004, he was transferred to Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University is a private university in Dallas, Texas, United States. Founded in 1911 by the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, SMU operates campuses in Dallas, Plano, and Taos, New Mexico. SMU is owned by the South Central Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church...
where he scored a further 13 in 19 appearances for the Mustangs. Returning to England in 2005, Smith trialled with Shrewsbury Town
Shrewsbury Town F.C.
Shrewsbury Town Football Club is an English Association football club based in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, who play in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club was formed in 1886 and has played in all the bottom three divisions in various guises since being elected into the Football...
and Walsall
Walsall F.C.
Walsall Football Club are an English association football club based in Walsall, West Midlands. They currently play in League One. The club was founded in 1888 as Walsall Town Swifts, an amalgamation of Walsall Town F.C. and Walsall Swifts F.C. The club was one of the founder members of the Second...
. However, he was not offered a contract at either club. Returning to America in 2006, he was declared ineligible to continue playing college football by the NCAA
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
. Deciding to make a career out of football, Smith trialled with MLS
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
club Kansas City Wizards
Kansas City Wizards
Sporting Kansas City is an American professional soccer club based in Kansas City, Kansas that competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States of America and Canada...
before being signed on a one-year contract by FC Dallas
FC Dallas
FC Dallas is an American professional soccer club based in the Dallas suburb of Frisco, Texas which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States of America and Canada...
.
Australia
After coming out to Australia on holiday in 2005, he moved to Cairns in 2010 but soon moved to Sydney where he signed for NSW Super League club Fraser ParkFraser Park FC
Fraser Park FC, otherwise known as just Fraser Park, are an Australian association football team founded in the 1960s by Portuguese immigrants as 'Clube Portugues de Sydney'. It was originally founded in Sydney's Paddington in the Eastern suburbs, but is currently based in the Inner West suburb of...
where he won the 2010 NSW Super League Player of the Year award.
Sydney Olympic
Smith signed for NSW Premier League club Sydney Olympic for the 2011 NSW Premier League season and was an immediate success, scoring a hat trickHat Trick
Hat trick, hat-trick or hattrick may refer to:* hat-trick — in various sports, achieving three goals, wickets, etc. in a single match* Hattrick — online football management game** Hattrick Limited — producers of this game...
on debut against South Coast Wolves in Round 1 and scored the only goal in their 1-0 win over 2010 NSW Premier League champions Blacktown City
Blacktown City Demons
Blacktown City FC, formerly The Demons, are an Australian football club based in Blacktown, New South Wales, Australia. The club was formed in 1953 as Toongabbie Soccer Club and changed their name to Blacktown City in 1979...
. Smith played his final game for Olympic in the Round 12, 1-0 win over South Coast Wolves.
Gold Coast United
Smith was invited to trial with the Gold Coast while he was playing for Fraser ParkFraser Park FC
Fraser Park FC, otherwise known as just Fraser Park, are an Australian association football team founded in the 1960s by Portuguese immigrants as 'Clube Portugues de Sydney'. It was originally founded in Sydney's Paddington in the Eastern suburbs, but is currently based in the Inner West suburb of...
. Pleased by what he saw, and further encouraged by his start with Sydney Olympic in the NSW Premier League, United coach Miron Bleiberg
Miron Bleiberg
Miron Bleiberg is an Israeli-Australian football manager, currently the head coach and director of football operations at A-League club Gold Coast United.-Biography:...
snapped Smith up on a one-year contract for the 2011-12 A-League season
2011–12 A-League
The A-League's 2011–12 season is the seventh season of the Australasian A-League football competition since its establishment in 2004. At the end of the previous season, the North Queensland Fury were cut from the competition by the governing body, Football Federation Australia, due to financial...
. He officially joined their squad, and had his first proper training session on the 17th June.
Despite Smith joining the Gold Coast for their pre-season, Manager Miron Bleiberg has asked Smith to accept a contract pay out, in exchange for the immediate termination of his one-year contract, as Bleiberg wanted to make sign former Blackburn Rovers striker Maceo Rigters
Maceo Rigters
Maceo Rigters is a Dutch footballer, who currently plays for Gold Coast United in the Australian A-League. His previous clubs include Heerenveen, Dordrecht, NAC Breda and Blackburn Rovers...
who had recently turned down a contract with fellow A-League club Wellington Phoenix. On 1 September 2011 it was confirmed that Smith and United had reached an agreement in regards to the termination of his contract.
Return to Belmore
After being unceremoniously dumped from the Gold Coast team, Smith returned to New South WalesNew South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
where it was announced he would re-sign with Sydney Olympic, who opened him with welcome arms. He arrived in time for the Final Round of the NSW Premier League against APIA Leichhardt Tigers, and picked up on where he left off, scoring the opening goal for Olympic in their 3-0 victory, in which Olympic were also crowned Premiers. His return to Belmore would continue to be successful, with Smith opening the scoring in the 2011 NSW Premier League Grand Final against Sydney United
Sydney United
Sydney United Football Club are an Australian football club from Sydney, Australia, established in 1957 by Croatian Australians in the area...
. Olympic would go on to win 2-0, securing the first Premiership and Championship double since the NSL
National Soccer League
The National Soccer League is the former national association football competition in Australasia, overseen by Soccer Australia and later the Australian Soccer Association. The NSL spanned 28 seasons from its inception in 1977, until its demise in 2004...
folded.
After spending the last month traveling from Sydney to the Gold Coast
Gold Coast, Queensland
Gold Coast is a coastal city of Australia located in South East Queensland, 94km south of the state capital Brisbane. With a population approximately 540,000 in 2010, it is the second most populous city in the state, the sixth most populous city in the country, and also the most populous...
where he still resides after being unceremoniously dumped from the Gold Coast, it was announced he would fly to Wellington, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
to trial with A-League club Wellington Phoenix in the hope of securing a 10-match loan guest stint, with the hope of extending it to a full contract.
Wellington Phoenix
Smith signed a short term contract with the Phoenix as an injury replacement player, for Mirjan PavlovicMirjan Pavlović
Mirjan Pavlovic is an Australian-Croatian born footballer currently playing for A-League club Wellington Phoenix FC.-Career:...
who broke his arm at training. He made his A-League debut off the bench in the Round 2 victory against the Newcastle Jets in Wellington
Wellington
Wellington is the capital city and third most populous urban area of New Zealand, although it is likely to have surpassed Christchurch due to the exodus following the Canterbury Earthquake. It is at the southwestern tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range...
.