Jack Smith (footballer born 1983)
Encyclopedia
Jack David Smith is an English
footballer, currently playing for Millwall
after being released by Swindon Town
in May 2009.
, where his father had been head of the academy, and went on to make 25 first team league appearances for the Hornets. His older brother Tommy, had also graduated from the club's youth system a few years earlier.
to Watford, Smith signed with Swindon Town
a free transfer in July 2005, signing a one year deal. Despite being right-footed, Smith made his debut on the left side of defence on the opening day of the season, in a 2–0 defeat at Barnsley
. Doing a steady job without being outstanding, he remained the first choice in this position until retiring with a groin strain during a 0–0 draw at Brentford
in October - a result that brought to an end a club record run of eight successive defeats, but an injury that kept Smith out of action for almost a month.
When he returned to fitness, he at first struggled to regain his place - starting at right-back for a 2–1 derby victory over Bristol City
and appearing in an unfamiliar central midfield role in a terrible 4–1 defeat at Boston United
in the FA Cup
- before being relegated to the bench for the next three games. A series of suspensions for key defensive players saw Smith drafted back into the side for an important relegation battle at Rotherham United
, again on the right side - and when Swindon won 1–0, Smith kept this position until the end of the year, until another injury led to him hobbling off the field in the New Year's Eve clash with Swansea City.
Once fit, Smith soon slotted back into his right back position, and then, when manager Iffy Onuora
began to experiment with a five man defence, Smith was utilised as a wing back. Onuora soon offered Smith an extension to his deal, and he signed a new year's contract in March.
Smith was an integral part of Swindon's 2006–07
promotion winning squad, making more appearances than any other player and scoring three goals. Smith signed a one-year contract extension with Swindon in June 2007. Smith did not play as regularly in the 2007–08 season and as such delayed the signing of his new contract, though he ended up staying on for the 2008–09 season.
However, following the arrival of Danny Wilson as new manager, come the end of the 2008–09 season, Jack Smith was released along with 12 other players. Out of the 17 out of contract at the end of the season, only four were offered new contracts following a season of disaray for Swindon Town.
on a contract to the end of 2009 on 2 August 2009, after impressing manager Kenny Jackett
in pre-season training. Due to injuries, Smith made his debut in the season opener at Southampton
live on Sky Sports
. Since then he has played regularly and in all positions across the back line. Consequently, he was rewarded with an extension to his contract to June 2011.
He scored his first goal for the club in a 4-0 hammering of Staines Town in the F.A Cup Replay at The Den.
And on the 22 January 2011 he scored his first goal of the 2010-11 campaign.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
footballer, currently playing for Millwall
Millwall F.C.
Millwall Football Club is an English professional football club based in South Bermondsey, south east London, that plays in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football. Founded as Millwall Rovers in 1885, the club has retained its name despite having last played in the...
after being released by Swindon Town
Swindon Town F.C.
Swindon Town Football Club are a team based in Swindon, Wiltshire. Currently in League Two, Swindon have been managed by Paolo Di Canio since 23 May 2011...
in May 2009.
Watford
Smith began his career as a trainee at WatfordWatford F.C.
Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade...
, where his father had been head of the academy, and went on to make 25 first team league appearances for the Hornets. His older brother Tommy, had also graduated from the club's youth system a few years earlier.
Swindon Town
After originally being offered as a makeweight in a rejected bid to take Sam ParkinSam Parkin
Samuel "Sam" Parkin is an English professional footballer who plays for St Johnstone.-Chelsea:...
to Watford, Smith signed with Swindon Town
Swindon Town F.C.
Swindon Town Football Club are a team based in Swindon, Wiltshire. Currently in League Two, Swindon have been managed by Paolo Di Canio since 23 May 2011...
a free transfer in July 2005, signing a one year deal. Despite being right-footed, Smith made his debut on the left side of defence on the opening day of the season, in a 2–0 defeat at Barnsley
Barnsley F.C.
Barnsley Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Nicknamed the Tykes, they were founded in 1887 under the name Barnsley St. Peter's...
. Doing a steady job without being outstanding, he remained the first choice in this position until retiring with a groin strain during a 0–0 draw at Brentford
Brentford F.C.
Brentford Football Club are a professional English football club based in Brentford in the London Borough of Hounslow. They are currently playing in Football League One....
in October - a result that brought to an end a club record run of eight successive defeats, but an injury that kept Smith out of action for almost a month.
When he returned to fitness, he at first struggled to regain his place - starting at right-back for a 2–1 derby victory over Bristol City
Bristol City F.C.
Bristol City Football Club is one of two football league clubs in Bristol, England . They play at Ashton Gate, located in the south-west of the City...
and appearing in an unfamiliar central midfield role in a terrible 4–1 defeat at Boston United
Boston United F.C.
Boston United Football Club are an association football club based in Boston, Lincolnshire, England. They currently play in the Conference North. The club is known as 'the Pilgrims' in reference to the Pilgrim Fathers, who fled from Boston to the USA and founded Boston, Massachusetts. The club's...
in the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
- before being relegated to the bench for the next three games. A series of suspensions for key defensive players saw Smith drafted back into the side for an important relegation battle at Rotherham United
Rotherham United F.C.
Rotherham United Football Club are an English professional football club based in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, who compete in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club's colours have traditionally been red and white, although these have evolved through history...
, again on the right side - and when Swindon won 1–0, Smith kept this position until the end of the year, until another injury led to him hobbling off the field in the New Year's Eve clash with Swansea City.
Once fit, Smith soon slotted back into his right back position, and then, when manager Iffy Onuora
Iffy Onuora
Ifem "Iffy" Onuora is a coach a former professional footballer born in Scotland of Nigerian descent.He was recently the head coach of the Ethiopia national team...
began to experiment with a five man defence, Smith was utilised as a wing back. Onuora soon offered Smith an extension to his deal, and he signed a new year's contract in March.
Smith was an integral part of Swindon's 2006–07
The Football League 2006-07
The 2006–2007 season was the 107th completed season of the Football League.-Overview:The Football League was contested through three Divisions in England and Wales. The divisions were the Football League Championship, Football League One and Football League Two...
promotion winning squad, making more appearances than any other player and scoring three goals. Smith signed a one-year contract extension with Swindon in June 2007. Smith did not play as regularly in the 2007–08 season and as such delayed the signing of his new contract, though he ended up staying on for the 2008–09 season.
However, following the arrival of Danny Wilson as new manager, come the end of the 2008–09 season, Jack Smith was released along with 12 other players. Out of the 17 out of contract at the end of the season, only four were offered new contracts following a season of disaray for Swindon Town.
Millwall
Smith joined MillwallMillwall F.C.
Millwall Football Club is an English professional football club based in South Bermondsey, south east London, that plays in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football. Founded as Millwall Rovers in 1885, the club has retained its name despite having last played in the...
on a contract to the end of 2009 on 2 August 2009, after impressing manager Kenny Jackett
Kenny Jackett
Kenny Jackett is a former Wales international football player, who has since moved into management. He is the current manager of Millwall, the longest serving manager in the Football League Championship and eleventh longest serving manager in England.A skilful player, equally at home in defence or...
in pre-season training. Due to injuries, Smith made his debut in the season opener at Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
live on Sky Sports
Sky Sports
Sky Sports is the brand name for a group of sports-oriented television channels operated by the UK and Ireland's main satellite pay-TV company, British Sky Broadcasting. Sky Sports is the dominant subscription television sports brand in the United Kingdom and Ireland...
. Since then he has played regularly and in all positions across the back line. Consequently, he was rewarded with an extension to his contract to June 2011.
He scored his first goal for the club in a 4-0 hammering of Staines Town in the F.A Cup Replay at The Den.
And on the 22 January 2011 he scored his first goal of the 2010-11 campaign.