Darren Smith (footballer born 1988)
Encyclopedia
Darren Lee Smith is a Scottish professional footballer who plays for Stirling Albion
. Smith represented the Scotland national under-21 football team
once and played nearly 60 SPL
games for Motherwell
.
Darren's maternal grandfather Billy Kennedy played for Linfield (Northern Ireland) in the 1950s and represented Ireland at junior and amateur level.
He qualifies for at least 3 countries at international level; Scotland, Northern Ireland and England (perhaps also Republic of Ireland) via parents and grandparents.
, and became one of their youngest ever players when he made his debut aged 16, appearing as a substitute against Inverness CT
in the 2004–05 season
. It would be the 2005–06 season
before he would feature in the team again, coming on as a substitute as Motherwell defeated Falkirk
5–0. A few days later, he scored his first goal for the club against St. Mirren
in the League Cup
. He then suffered an injury which ruling him out for the rest of the season.
The 2006–07 season
was a more prolific one for Smith. Despite this being an unsuccessful season for Motherwell, who finished 10th in the SPL, Smith made 13 starts and 6 substitute appearances, scoring three goals. The first and most notable of his goals was a last minute equaliser against Celtic
on Boxing Day
2006.
The 2007–08 season
was Smith's most successful in his time at Motherwell so far, as Motherwell finished 3rd in the SPL and qualified for the UEFA Cup
. He made 27 appearances, scoring four goals. Two came against Aberdeen
in the SPL, the second being the opener in the 2–1 victory on 10 May that effectively sealed Motherwell's UEFA Cup qualification.
Smith found himself on the fringes of the first team in the 2008–09 season
, making only 1 start and failing to find the net. At the start of the 2009–10 season, Smith was forced to have hip surgery after tearing cartilage during pre-season.
Smith spent a month on loan at in early 2010, but played only twice due to injury.
Smith had a trial at Inverness CT. Smith then signed for Ross County
on a one year deal. Manager Derek Adams commented that "Darren is a young player with a lot of potential as well as a lot of experience. I'm delighted that after his trial period we have been able to reach an agreement with him."
of the Second Division
after being released by Ross County.
in the spring of 2007, playing the second half of a 2–0 defeat against Germany under–21s
. He also played for his country at under–19
level.
Stirling Albion F.C.
Stirling Albion F.C. are a Scottish football club currently playing in the Scottish Second Division. The club are nicknamed The Binos . They play at Doubletree Dunblane Stadium in Stirling, on the outskirts of the city near the River Forth...
. Smith represented the Scotland national under-21 football team
Scotland national under-21 football team
The Scotland national under-21 football team, controlled by the Scottish Football Association, is Scotland's national under 21 football team and is considered to be a feeder team for the Scotland national football team....
once and played nearly 60 SPL
Scottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
games for Motherwell
Motherwell F.C.
Motherwell Football & Athletic Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire. The club compete in the Scottish Premier League and are one of only seven teams to have remained in this league since it was founded in 1998...
.
Darren's maternal grandfather Billy Kennedy played for Linfield (Northern Ireland) in the 1950s and represented Ireland at junior and amateur level.
He qualifies for at least 3 countries at international level; Scotland, Northern Ireland and England (perhaps also Republic of Ireland) via parents and grandparents.
Motherwell
Smith started his football career at boyhood heroes MotherwellMotherwell F.C.
Motherwell Football & Athletic Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire. The club compete in the Scottish Premier League and are one of only seven teams to have remained in this league since it was founded in 1998...
, and became one of their youngest ever players when he made his debut aged 16, appearing as a substitute against Inverness CT
Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C.
Inverness Caledonian Thistle Football Club are a Scottish football club from Inverness who compete in the Scottish Premier League. They are currently managed by Terry Butcher and assistant manager Maurice Malpas...
in the 2004–05 season
2004-05 in Scottish football
The 2004–05 season was the 108th season of competitive football in Scotland.-2004:*6 July 2004 - Nacho Novo from Dundee to Rangers, £450,000*1 July 2004 - Dado Prso from AS Monaco to Rangers, Bosman...
. It would be the 2005–06 season
2005-06 in Scottish football
The 2005–06 season was the 109th season of competitive football in Scotland.-2005:*1 June: Gordon Strachan officially takes charge of Celtic after the resignation of Martin O'Neill...
before he would feature in the team again, coming on as a substitute as Motherwell defeated Falkirk
Falkirk F.C.
Falkirk Football Club is a Scottish professional football club based in Falkirk. It is one of two professional football teams from the town, the other being East Stirlingshire...
5–0. A few days later, he scored his first goal for the club against St. Mirren
St. Mirren F.C.
St Mirren Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Paisley, Renfrewshire who play in the Scottish Premier League, having been promoted from the First Division in 2005–06.St...
in the League Cup
Scottish League Cup
The Scottish League Cup is a football competition open to all Scottish Football League and Scottish Premier League clubs. At present it is also known as the Scottish Communities League Cup owing to the sponsorship deal in place with the Scottish Government. In the past it has been sponsored by...
. He then suffered an injury which ruling him out for the rest of the season.
The 2006–07 season
2006-07 in Scottish football
The 2006–07 season was the 110th season of competitive football in Scotland.-2006:*9 July: Rangers defender Fernando Ricksen is banned for the club's pre-season trip to South Africa, following an incident on the outbound flight. Manager Paul Le Guen cited "wholly inappropriate and...
was a more prolific one for Smith. Despite this being an unsuccessful season for Motherwell, who finished 10th in the SPL, Smith made 13 starts and 6 substitute appearances, scoring three goals. The first and most notable of his goals was a last minute equaliser against Celtic
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
on Boxing Day
Boxing Day
Boxing Day is a bank or public holiday that occurs on 26 December, or the first or second weekday after Christmas Day, depending on national or regional laws. It is observed in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and some other Commonwealth nations. In Ireland, it is recognized as...
2006.
The 2007–08 season
2007-08 in Scottish football
The 2007-08 season was the 111th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Overview:* Gretna were competing in the Scottish Premier League for the first time, their first ever season in the top-flight, after being promoted as First Division champions the previous season.* Dunfermline Athletic...
was Smith's most successful in his time at Motherwell so far, as Motherwell finished 3rd in the SPL and qualified for the UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
. He made 27 appearances, scoring four goals. Two came against Aberdeen
Aberdeen F.C.
Aberdeen Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Aberdeen...
in the SPL, the second being the opener in the 2–1 victory on 10 May that effectively sealed Motherwell's UEFA Cup qualification.
Smith found himself on the fringes of the first team in the 2008–09 season
2008-09 in Scottish football
The 2008–09 season was the 112th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Overview:* Hamilton Academical competed in the Scottish Premier League for the first time, their first season in the top-flight since the 1988–89 season, after being promoted as First Division champions the...
, making only 1 start and failing to find the net. At the start of the 2009–10 season, Smith was forced to have hip surgery after tearing cartilage during pre-season.
Smith spent a month on loan at in early 2010, but played only twice due to injury.
Ross County
He was released by Motherwell at the end of the 2009–10 season.Smith had a trial at Inverness CT. Smith then signed for Ross County
Ross County F.C.
Ross County Football Club are a Scottish professional football team from the town of Dingwall, Ross and Cromarty. Founded in 1929 they currently compete in the Scottish Football League First Division and play their home matches at Victoria Park. Prior to the 1994–95 season they played in the...
on a one year deal. Manager Derek Adams commented that "Darren is a young player with a lot of potential as well as a lot of experience. I'm delighted that after his trial period we have been able to reach an agreement with him."
Stirling Albion
On 28 July 2011, Smith signed for Stirling AlbionStirling Albion F.C.
Stirling Albion F.C. are a Scottish football club currently playing in the Scottish Second Division. The club are nicknamed The Binos . They play at Doubletree Dunblane Stadium in Stirling, on the outskirts of the city near the River Forth...
of the Second Division
Scottish Football League Second Division
The Scottish Football League Second Division is the second highest division of the Scottish Football League and the third highest overall in the Scottish football league system....
after being released by Ross County.
International career
Smith made his debut for the Scotland under–21sScotland national under-21 football team
The Scotland national under-21 football team, controlled by the Scottish Football Association, is Scotland's national under 21 football team and is considered to be a feeder team for the Scotland national football team....
in the spring of 2007, playing the second half of a 2–0 defeat against Germany under–21s
Germany national under-21 football team
The Germany national under-21 football team represents the under-21s of Germany in the UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship and is controlled by the German Football Association , the governing body of football in Germany....
. He also played for his country at under–19
Scotland national under-19 football team
The Scotland national under-19 football team, controlled by the Scottish Football Association, is Scotland's national football team for players of 19 years of age or under at the start of a European Under-19 Football Championship campaign....
level.