Jimmy Smith (footballer)
Encyclopedia
James Dean "Jimmy" Smith (born 7 January 1987 in Newham
, London) is a professional footballer who plays for Leyton Orient
.
aged nine and worked his way through the youth squads until signing a professional deal at 18, joining the reserve team squad. An attacking midfielder by trade, who can also play on both wings, he finished as top scorer from the Chelsea reserves for the 2005–06 season, predominantly playing in his preferred attacking midfield role. He made his only appearance for the Chelsea
first team in the last game of the 2005–06 Premiership season, coming on as a substitute for Ricardo Carvalho
against Newcastle United
.
(QPR) on loan for an initial month. During that spell he impressed, scoring twice in his first two games including a goal on his home debut at Loftus Road
in the 3–3 draw with Norwich City
. By October, the QPR management announced they were to extend his loan spell by a further two months, and it was later extended again to the end of the season.
, which kept him out of action for almost three months.
Smith finally made his competitive debut for Norwich on 23 October 2007, as a substitute in a 2–1 defeat to Burnley
at Turf Moor
.
The final appearance of his loan spell with The Canaries
came in their 1–1 home draw vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
on 29 December 2007. Smith has largely disappointed in his loan spell, however, he has been played out of position on the right of a four man midfield for much of his time at the club. After the game with Wolves, Norwich manager Glenn Roeder
confirmed he had been in talks with Chelsea sporting director Frank Arnesen
and that his club hoped to extend Smith's time there until the end of the season. Norwich however failed to reach a deal for the extension of Smith's loan contract and so on the 4 January 2008, he returned to Chelsea, where he became a regular feature of the reserves team.
side Sheffield Wednesday
were interested in Smith. It was later announced on 1 July 2008 that the midfielder would be joining the Owls on a loan deal until 10 January 2009. Smith had infrequent appearances in his first three months with Wednesday, starting only three games up to the end of October, before an away game at Birmingham City
saw him sent off after 65 minutes. After serving a four match ban he was unable to regularly break into the Sheffield Wednesday first team and eventually returned to Chelsea following the expiry of the loan deal in early January 2009.
for the remainder of the season, where he went on to make 16 appearances for the O's, scoring his first goal for the club, the winner against Colchester United
in April 2009. While he was due to return to Chelsea at the end of the season, he decided to make the Orient move permanent, leaving on a free transfer and signing a two-year deal with the East Londoners. Smith was a vital player in Orient's fantastic FA Cup
run in 2011 where the League 1 club reached the fifth round. Smith also helped his side to an impressive finish in the npower League 1 season, but Orient could not manage to finish in a playoff place.
London Borough of Newham
The London Borough of Newham is a London borough formed from the towns of West Ham and East Ham, within East London.It is situated east of the City of London, and is north of the River Thames. According to 2006 estimates, Newham has one of the highest ethnic minority populations of all the...
, London) is a professional footballer who plays for Leyton Orient
Leyton Orient F.C.
Leyton Orient F.C. are an English professional football club in East London. They currently play in Football League One and are known to their fans as the O's.Leyton Orient have spent one season in the top flight of English football, in 1962–63...
.
Chelsea
Smith joined the Chelsea AcademyChelsea F.C. Reserves and Youth Team
Chelsea F.C. Reserves are the reserve team of Chelsea Football Club. They are members of the Premier Reserve League Southern Division and the reigning champions of the Southern Division winning the Championship in 2010 - 11...
aged nine and worked his way through the youth squads until signing a professional deal at 18, joining the reserve team squad. An attacking midfielder by trade, who can also play on both wings, he finished as top scorer from the Chelsea reserves for the 2005–06 season, predominantly playing in his preferred attacking midfield role. He made his only appearance for the Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
first team in the last game of the 2005–06 Premiership season, coming on as a substitute for Ricardo Carvalho
Ricardo Carvalho
Ricardo Alberto Silveira de Carvalho OIH , is a footballer who plays as a centre back for Spanish La Liga club Real Madrid.Carvalho was born in Amarante where he played for the local team, Amarante Futebol Clube. By his great performance as a youngster, he was spotted by the Portuguese powerhouse,...
against Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
.
Queens Park Rangers
On 27 September 2006, Smith joined Queens Park RangersQueens Park Rangers F.C.
Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years...
(QPR) on loan for an initial month. During that spell he impressed, scoring twice in his first two games including a goal on his home debut at Loftus Road
Loftus Road
Loftus Road is a football stadium in Shepherd's Bush, London. It is home to the English football team Queens Park Rangers of the Premier League and has a capacity of around 18,500. The four stands are called the Loftus Road End , Ellerslie Road Stand, South Africa Road Stand and the School End,...
in the 3–3 draw with Norwich City
Norwich City F.C.
Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The...
. By October, the QPR management announced they were to extend his loan spell by a further two months, and it was later extended again to the end of the season.
Norwich City
On 19 July 2007, he signed on loan for Championship side Norwich City, a deal that ran until the end of December. However, on 25 July 2007, Smith sustained a worrying calf injury in Norwich's pre-season friendly with FC ZwolleFC Zwolle
FC Zwolle is a Dutch football club based in Zwolle, currently playing in the Eerste Divisie, the country's second level of professional club football. The club was founded in 1990 after the bankruptcy of PEC. They have played in the Eredivisie, the highest tier of Dutch football, for a total of...
, which kept him out of action for almost three months.
Smith finally made his competitive debut for Norwich on 23 October 2007, as a substitute in a 2–1 defeat to Burnley
Burnley F.C.
Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888...
at Turf Moor
Turf Moor
Turf Moor is a football stadium in Burnley, Lancashire. It is the home ground of Burnley Football Club, which has played there since moving from its Calder Vale ground in 1883. The stadium, which is situated on Harry Potts Way, named so after the club's longest serving Manager, has a capacity of...
.
The final appearance of his loan spell with The Canaries
Norwich City F.C.
Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The...
came in their 1–1 home draw vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
on 29 December 2007. Smith has largely disappointed in his loan spell, however, he has been played out of position on the right of a four man midfield for much of his time at the club. After the game with Wolves, Norwich manager Glenn Roeder
Glenn Roeder
Glenn Victor Roeder is an English football manager and former player, most recently in charge at Norwich City. As a player, Roeder represented England B on 7 occasions...
confirmed he had been in talks with Chelsea sporting director Frank Arnesen
Frank Arnesen
Frank Arnesen is a former Danish football player and currently sporting director at Hamburger SV. Arnesen was Director of Football at English football clubs Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea....
and that his club hoped to extend Smith's time there until the end of the season. Norwich however failed to reach a deal for the extension of Smith's loan contract and so on the 4 January 2008, he returned to Chelsea, where he became a regular feature of the reserves team.
Sheffield Wednesday
In June 2008, it was reported that ChampionshipFootball League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
side Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday F.C.
Sheffield Wednesday Football Club are a football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, who are currently competing in the Football League One in the 2011-12 season, in England. Sheffield Wednesday are one of the oldest professional clubs in the world and the fourth oldest in the...
were interested in Smith. It was later announced on 1 July 2008 that the midfielder would be joining the Owls on a loan deal until 10 January 2009. Smith had infrequent appearances in his first three months with Wednesday, starting only three games up to the end of October, before an away game at Birmingham City
Birmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
saw him sent off after 65 minutes. After serving a four match ban he was unable to regularly break into the Sheffield Wednesday first team and eventually returned to Chelsea following the expiry of the loan deal in early January 2009.
Leyton Orient
Later in the transfer window, Smith moved on loan to Leyton OrientLeyton Orient F.C.
Leyton Orient F.C. are an English professional football club in East London. They currently play in Football League One and are known to their fans as the O's.Leyton Orient have spent one season in the top flight of English football, in 1962–63...
for the remainder of the season, where he went on to make 16 appearances for the O's, scoring his first goal for the club, the winner against Colchester United
Colchester United F.C.
Colchester United Football Club is an English football club based in Colchester. The club was formed in 1937, and briefly shared their old Layer Road home with now defunct side Colchester Town who had previously used the ground from 1910....
in April 2009. While he was due to return to Chelsea at the end of the season, he decided to make the Orient move permanent, leaving on a free transfer and signing a two-year deal with the East Londoners. Smith was a vital player in Orient's fantastic 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...
run in 2011 where the League 1 club reached the fifth round. Smith also helped his side to an impressive finish in the npower League 1 season, but Orient could not manage to finish in a playoff place.
External links
- Jimmy Smith player profile at chelseafc.com
- Jimmy Smith player profile at swfc.co.uk
- Jimmy Smith player profile at qpr.co.uk