Kelly Smith
Encyclopedia
Kelly Jayne Smith, MBE
(born 29 October 1978, in Watford
) is an English
football forward currently playing for Boston Breakers of Women's Professional Soccer
and is a member of the England women's national football team
.
area of Watford
Smith regularly played football on boys' teams. She developed her skills at Wembley Ladies
, making her debut for the squad in season 1994–95. After moving to Arsenal Ladies during 1996–97, she scored two goals and assisted on the third in a 3–0 win over Liverpool
which secured the Premier League
title that season. She spent that year at West Herts College
, but transferred to Seton Hall University
in the United States
in 1997.
Smith enrolled at the university and was a student-athlete. She played for Seton Hall Pirates from 1997 through 1999. In her first year at Seton Hall in 1997, Smith set scoring records for the Big East Conference
and became the first athlete in any sport to be the conference's (Offensive) Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year in the same season. In the following two seasons, she was the leading scorer not only in the Big East, but in the whole of NCAA
Division I, and was named Big East Offensive Player of the Year in both years. At the end of her university career, the school retired her uniform number (6) — she became the first Seton Hall athlete in any sport other than basketball to have a number retired. In her 3 years at Seton Hall, she set school records with 76 goals and 174 points while playing in just 51 matches.
of W-League
, for which she played on from 1999 through 2000. However, a new top-flight women's league was about to start in the United States
and Smith stayed in the country to participate in the project.
The Women's United Soccer Association
was formed in early 2000. Smith was drafted 2nd overall in the 2001 WUSA Foreign Allocation Draft
by Philadelphia Charge
. Smith played all 3 seasons with Philadelphia and was named to the 2001 WUSA Global 11 All-Star Team. 2001 was her only full season in the league; in 2002, Smith missed most of the season after tearing her ACL
in her right knee, and missed much of 2003 after re-injuring the same knee. Unfortunately following the 2003 season, the WUSA ceased operations.
Smith decided to keep playing in the United States following the collapse of the WUSA. In 2004, she played for the New Jersey Wildcats
in the W-League
, but she was injured yet again, breaking her leg. She ended up appearing in 8 games for the club (563 minutes) and scored 8 goals and 6 assists.
and Arsenal
in the Autumn of 2004. She officially rejoined in 2005 after being treated at the Sporting Chance clinic
. However, she was yet again hampered by injury, this time by a stress fracture in her foot. She returned to action at the end of the 2004–05 season
, scoring a goal from 30 metres out against Charlton Athletic L.F.C.
which clinched the Premier League
title for Arsenal.
In Arsenal's "Quadruple" winning season of 2006–07, Smith scored 30 goals in 34 games across the four competitions. However, she missed both legs of the 2006–07 UEFA Women's Cup final through suspension, after being sent off for gesturing
to opposition fans in the semi-final.
Over the duration of Smith's Arsenal career since rejoining in 2005, she appeared in 66 Premier League games scoring 73 goals, 16 FA Cup games scoring 13 goals, 10 League Cup games scoring four goals, 18 UEFA Women's Cup games scoring nine goals, and two Community Shield games scoring one goal for a total of 112 appearances and 100 goals. In her last competitive game for Arsenal, Smith scored a hat-trick to help Arsenal to a 5–0 win over Doncaster Belles in the FA Women's Premier League Cup. She won the FA Women's Players' Player of the year in 2006 and 2007.
, many teams were interested in Smith's services. She was chosen by Boston Breakers 2nd overall in the 2008 WPS International Draft
, above Marta and under only Formiga
.
Despite being drafted by Boston, she was still under contact with Arsenal. However, Smith decided to leave Arsenal to join Boston Breakers on 18 February 2009, one of a number of English players to join the new Women's Professional Soccer League
.
In the inaugural 2009 Women's Professional Soccer season
, Smith appeared in 15 games (13 starts, 1170 total minutes) and scored 6 goals with 2 assists.
on 1 November 1995, three days after turning 17. The 1-1 draw against Italy
was played at Roker Park
and Smith won Player of the Match from her position on the left-wing.
Her first international goal came on the occasion of her second cap, against Croatia
on 19 November 1995. Smith scored an injury-time penalty in England
's 5-0 win at the Valley. The FA later complained to FIFA
when Smith's American college team refused to release her for national team duty.
When healthy, she is generally considered to be one of the world's top female players; former United States
head coach April Heinrichs asserted that Smith would be an automatic choice for the United States Women's National Team
if she had been eligible, and Vera Pauw
, the Dutch
coach, called Kelly "the best player in the World" after she scored a hat-trick against the Netherlands
in a 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup qualifier in 2006.
She has competed in the 2001, 2005, and 2009 editions of the UEFA Women's Championship
, as well as the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup with England. She also played in the 2007 China Cup against the United States
, Germany
and China
where she was named the player of the tournament.
Smith was voted third in the 2009 FIFA Women's World Player of the Year
, fourth in 2007
and fifth in 2006
and 2008
.
In 2011, she competed in the FIFA World Cup, where she scored from the spot in England's quarterfinal match with France
, to give England a 1–0 lead in the penalty shootout
(England would go on to lose the shootout 4–3). Smith, hindered by an achilles injury
, was dissatisfied with her own performances at the tournament: "I have to acknowledge that I didn't play well and I have to live with that." She returned to the England squad for a UEFA Women's Euro 2013 qualifying
tie with Serbia
after missing the first three matches of the campaign.
(MBE) in the 2008 Birthday Honours.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(born 29 October 1978, in Watford
Watford
Watford is a town and borough in Hertfordshire, England, situated northwest of central London and within the bounds of the M25 motorway. The borough is separated from Greater London to the south by the urbanised parish of Watford Rural in the Three Rivers District.Watford was created as an urban...
) is an English
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...
football forward currently playing for Boston Breakers of Women's Professional Soccer
Women's Professional Soccer
Women's Professional Soccer is the top level professional women's soccer league in the United States. It began play on March 29, 2009. The league was composed of seven teams for its first two seasons and fielded 6 teams for the 2011 season, with continued plans for future expansion...
and is a member of the England women's national football team
England women's national football team
The England women's national football team represents England in international women's football. The side has been quite successful of late, qualifying for three World Cups, 1995, 2007 and 2011...
.
Youth and university
While growing up in the GarstonGarston, Hertfordshire
Garston is a village in Hertfordshire, England, more or less contiguous with Watford and now, despite retaining a local identity, is effectively, a suburb...
area of Watford
Watford
Watford is a town and borough in Hertfordshire, England, situated northwest of central London and within the bounds of the M25 motorway. The borough is separated from Greater London to the south by the urbanised parish of Watford Rural in the Three Rivers District.Watford was created as an urban...
Smith regularly played football on boys' teams. She developed her skills at Wembley Ladies
Barnet F.C. Ladies
Barnet Football Club Ladies is an English women's football club affiliated with Barnet F.C.. They play in the FA Women's Premier League National Division, after winning the Southern Division in 2009–10....
, making her debut for the squad in season 1994–95. After moving to Arsenal Ladies during 1996–97, she scored two goals and assisted on the third in a 3–0 win over Liverpool
Liverpool L.F.C.
Liverpool Ladies Football Club is a semi–professional women's football club affiliated with Liverpool Football Club and playing in the FA WSL...
which secured the Premier League
FA Women's Premier League National Division
The FA Women's Premier League National Division is the second level of the English women's football league pyramid. From 1991 until the introduction of the summer competition FA Women's Super League the National Division functioned as the top league in England. Below it are simultaneously the...
title that season. She spent that year at West Herts College
West Herts College
West Herts College is a college in Watford, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom. The College has campuses in Watford, Hemel Hempstead and Kings Langley.-Range of courses:...
, but transferred to Seton Hall University
Seton Hall University
Seton Hall University is a private Roman Catholic university in South Orange, New Jersey, United States. Founded in 1856 by Archbishop James Roosevelt Bayley, Seton Hall is the oldest diocesan university in the United States. Seton Hall is also the oldest and largest Catholic university in the...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 1997.
Smith enrolled at the university and was a student-athlete. She played for Seton Hall Pirates from 1997 through 1999. In her first year at Seton Hall in 1997, Smith set scoring records for the Big East Conference
Big East Conference
The Big East Conference is a collegiate athletics conference consisting of sixteen universities in the eastern half of the United States. The conference's 17 members participate in 24 NCAA sports...
and became the first athlete in any sport to be the conference's (Offensive) Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year in the same season. In the following two seasons, she was the leading scorer not only in the Big East, but in the whole of 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...
Division I, and was named Big East Offensive Player of the Year in both years. At the end of her university career, the school retired her uniform number (6) — she became the first Seton Hall athlete in any sport other than basketball to have a number retired. In her 3 years at Seton Hall, she set school records with 76 goals and 174 points while playing in just 51 matches.
Life in America
At the culmination of her studies Smith remained in America, remarking: "women's football in England is a joke." Smith's first professional club was New Jersey Lady StallionsNew Jersey Lady Stallions
New Jersey Lady Stallions were a W-League club based in Wayne, New Jersey, associated with the former Men's USL team, the New Jersey Stallions. The team folded after the 2004 season.-Year-by-year:...
of W-League
W-League
The USL W-League is a national women's soccer league in the United States on the 2nd level of women's soccer in the United States soccer pyramid, alongside the Women's Premier Soccer League and below Women's Professional Soccer....
, for which she played on from 1999 through 2000. However, a new top-flight women's league was about to start in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Smith stayed in the country to participate in the project.
The Women's United Soccer Association
Women's United Soccer Association
The Women's United Soccer Association, often abbreviated to the WUSA, was the world's first women's soccer league in which all the players were paid as professionals. Founded in February 2000, the league began its first season in April 2001 with eight teams in the United States...
was formed in early 2000. Smith was drafted 2nd overall in the 2001 WUSA Foreign Allocation Draft
Draft (sports)
A draft is a process used in the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia, Russia and the Philippines to allocate certain players to sports teams. In a draft, teams take turns selecting from a pool of eligible players...
by Philadelphia Charge
Philadelphia Charge
The Philadelphia Charge was an American women's professional soccer team that played in the Women's United Soccer Association.The team played at Villanova Stadium on the campus of Villanova University near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The team began play in 2001. The league announced on September...
. Smith played all 3 seasons with Philadelphia and was named to the 2001 WUSA Global 11 All-Star Team. 2001 was her only full season in the league; in 2002, Smith missed most of the season after tearing her ACL
Anterior cruciate ligament
The anterior cruciate ligament is a cruciate ligament which is one of the four major ligaments of the human knee. In the quadruped stifle , based on its anatomical position, it is referred to as the cranial cruciate ligament.The ACL originates from deep within the notch of the distal femur...
in her right knee, and missed much of 2003 after re-injuring the same knee. Unfortunately following the 2003 season, the WUSA ceased operations.
Smith decided to keep playing in the United States following the collapse of the WUSA. In 2004, she played for the New Jersey Wildcats
New Jersey Wildcats
New Jersey Wildcats is an American women’s soccer team, founded by Vincent Baldino in 1996. The team is a member of the United Soccer Leagues W-League, the second tier of women’s soccer in the United States and Canada. The team plays in the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference against the D.C...
in the W-League
W-League
The USL W-League is a national women's soccer league in the United States on the 2nd level of women's soccer in the United States soccer pyramid, alongside the Women's Premier Soccer League and below Women's Professional Soccer....
, but she was injured yet again, breaking her leg. She ended up appearing in 8 games for the club (563 minutes) and scored 8 goals and 6 assists.
Back to England
Depressed and with a nascent drink problem, Smith returned to EnglandEngland
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...
and Arsenal
Arsenal L.F.C.
Arsenal Ladies Football Club are an English women's association football club affiliated with Arsenal F.C.. Founded in 1987, they are the most successful club in English women's football having won 34 major trophies to date; which are 12 FA Women's Premier League titles, 11 FA Women's Cups, ten...
in the Autumn of 2004. She officially rejoined in 2005 after being treated at the Sporting Chance clinic
Sporting Chance clinic
The Sporting Chance Clinic is a registered British based charity, first set up by former Arsenal and England football captain Tony Adams to provide a specialist addiction and recovery facility for sportsmen and women....
. However, she was yet again hampered by injury, this time by a stress fracture in her foot. She returned to action at the end of the 2004–05 season
FA Women's Premier League 2004-05
-National Division:-References:**...
, scoring a goal from 30 metres out against Charlton Athletic L.F.C.
Charlton Athletic L.F.C.
Charlton Athletic Women's Football Club play in the FA Women's Premier League National Division in England. Between 2000, the year it was founded from Croydon Women's F.C. and 2007, Charlton had one of the most successful women's teams in England...
which clinched the Premier League
FA Women's Premier League National Division
The FA Women's Premier League National Division is the second level of the English women's football league pyramid. From 1991 until the introduction of the summer competition FA Women's Super League the National Division functioned as the top league in England. Below it are simultaneously the...
title for Arsenal.
In Arsenal's "Quadruple" winning season of 2006–07, Smith scored 30 goals in 34 games across the four competitions. However, she missed both legs of the 2006–07 UEFA Women's Cup final through suspension, after being sent off for gesturing
Finger (gesture)
In Western culture, the finger , also known as the middle finger, is an obscene hand gesture, often meaning the phrases "fuck off" , "fuck you" or "up yours"...
to opposition fans in the semi-final.
Over the duration of Smith's Arsenal career since rejoining in 2005, she appeared in 66 Premier League games scoring 73 goals, 16 FA Cup games scoring 13 goals, 10 League Cup games scoring four goals, 18 UEFA Women's Cup games scoring nine goals, and two Community Shield games scoring one goal for a total of 112 appearances and 100 goals. In her last competitive game for Arsenal, Smith scored a hat-trick to help Arsenal to a 5–0 win over Doncaster Belles in the FA Women's Premier League Cup. She won the FA Women's Players' Player of the year in 2006 and 2007.
Return to the United States
Upon the creation of a new women's league in the United States, Women's Professional SoccerWomen's Professional Soccer
Women's Professional Soccer is the top level professional women's soccer league in the United States. It began play on March 29, 2009. The league was composed of seven teams for its first two seasons and fielded 6 teams for the 2011 season, with continued plans for future expansion...
, many teams were interested in Smith's services. She was chosen by Boston Breakers 2nd overall in the 2008 WPS International Draft
2008 WPS International Draft
The 2008 WPS International Draft took place on September 24, 2008. It was the first international draft held by Women's Professional Soccer to assign the WPS rights of international players to the American-based teams...
, above Marta and under only Formiga
Miraildes Maciel Mota
Miraildes Maciel Mota , commonly known as Formiga , is a Brazilian footballer who played midfielder who last played for FC Gold Pride of Women's Professional Soccer and is a member of the Brazil women's national football team.-Career:Formiga was acquired by FC Gold Pride in the 2008 WPS...
.
Despite being drafted by Boston, she was still under contact with Arsenal. However, Smith decided to leave Arsenal to join Boston Breakers on 18 February 2009, one of a number of English players to join the new Women's Professional Soccer League
Women's Professional Soccer
Women's Professional Soccer is the top level professional women's soccer league in the United States. It began play on March 29, 2009. The league was composed of seven teams for its first two seasons and fielded 6 teams for the 2011 season, with continued plans for future expansion...
.
In the inaugural 2009 Women's Professional Soccer season
2009 Women's Professional Soccer season
The 2009 Women's Professional Soccer season served as the inaugural season for WPS, the top level professional women's soccer league in the United States...
, Smith appeared in 15 games (13 starts, 1170 total minutes) and scored 6 goals with 2 assists.
International
Smith debuted for the England National TeamEngland women's national football team
The England women's national football team represents England in international women's football. The side has been quite successful of late, qualifying for three World Cups, 1995, 2007 and 2011...
on 1 November 1995, three days after turning 17. The 1-1 draw against Italy
Italy women's national football team
The Italy women's national football team represents Italy in international women's football. The team is controlled by the Italian Football Federation .- Performances in the World Cup :...
was played at Roker Park
Roker Park
Roker Park was an English football stadium situated in Roker, Sunderland. The stadium was the home of the English football club Sunderland A.F.C. from 1897 to 1997 before the club moved to the Stadium of Light. Near the end of the stadium's history, its capacity was around 22,500 with only a small...
and Smith won Player of the Match from her position on the left-wing.
Her first international goal came on the occasion of her second cap, against Croatia
Croatia women's national football team
The Croatia women's national football team represents the Republic of Croatia in international football. The team is controlled by the Croatian Football Federation, the governing body for football in the country.-World Cup record:...
on 19 November 1995. Smith scored an injury-time penalty in England
England women's national football team
The England women's national football team represents England in international women's football. The side has been quite successful of late, qualifying for three World Cups, 1995, 2007 and 2011...
's 5-0 win at the Valley. The FA later complained to FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
when Smith's American college team refused to release her for national team duty.
When healthy, she is generally considered to be one of the world's top female players; former United States
United States women's national soccer team
The United States women's national soccer team represents the United States in international soccer competition and is controlled by U.S. Soccer. The U.S. team won the first ever Women's World Cup in 1991, and has since been a superpower in women's soccer. It is currently ranked first in the world...
head coach April Heinrichs asserted that Smith would be an automatic choice for the United States Women's National Team
United States women's national soccer team
The United States women's national soccer team represents the United States in international soccer competition and is controlled by U.S. Soccer. The U.S. team won the first ever Women's World Cup in 1991, and has since been a superpower in women's soccer. It is currently ranked first in the world...
if she had been eligible, and Vera Pauw
Vera Pauw
Vera Pauw is a Dutch football coach and former player.-Playing career:Pauw played 89 international matches for the Netherlands, but never qualified for the final tournament of a World Cup or European Championship...
, the Dutch
Netherlands women's national football team
The Netherlands women's national football team represents the Netherlands in international women's football. The team played the first women's international recognized by FIFA, on 17 April 1971 against France.-World Cup record:-Current squad:...
coach, called Kelly "the best player in the World" after she scored a hat-trick against the Netherlands
Netherlands women's national football team
The Netherlands women's national football team represents the Netherlands in international women's football. The team played the first women's international recognized by FIFA, on 17 April 1971 against France.-World Cup record:-Current squad:...
in a 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup qualifier in 2006.
She has competed in the 2001, 2005, and 2009 editions of the UEFA Women's Championship
UEFA Women's Championship
The UEFA European Women's Championship, also called the UEFA Women's Euro and unofficially the "European Cup", held every fourth year, is the main competition in women's association football between national teams of the UEFA Confederation...
, as well as the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup with England. She also played in the 2007 China Cup against the United States
United States women's national soccer team
The United States women's national soccer team represents the United States in international soccer competition and is controlled by U.S. Soccer. The U.S. team won the first ever Women's World Cup in 1991, and has since been a superpower in women's soccer. It is currently ranked first in the world...
, Germany
Germany women's national football team
The German women's national football team represents Germany in international women's football and is directed by the German Football Association . The team – informally called West Germany in English – played its first international match in 1982...
and China
China women's national football team
The China women's national football team represents the People's Republic of China in international women's football.- Records :China had held the record of going for 442 minutes without conceding a World Cup goal, until it was broken by Germany on September 26, 2007, when Germany beat Norway 3-0...
where she was named the player of the tournament.
Smith was voted third in the 2009 FIFA Women's World Player of the Year
2009 FIFA World Player of the Year
The 2009 FIFA World Player of the Year awards took place on 21 December 2009 at the Kongresshaus Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland. Shortlists of 23 men and 10 women were announced on 30 October 2009. The final five contenders for this year’s FIFA World Player of the Year and FIFA Women’s World Player of...
, fourth in 2007
2007 FIFA World Player of the Year
Brazilian midfielder Kaká won the 2007 FIFA World Player of the Year award, while another Brazilian, Marta, took home the women's award. The winners were announced at the FIFA World Player Gala held at the Zurich Opera House on December 17, 2007.-Men:...
and fifth in 2006
2006 FIFA World Player of the Year
The 2006 FIFA World Player of the Year prize was awarded to the Italian Fabio Cannavaro for the first time. He finished ahead of the retired Midfielder Zinédine Zidane, who won the Golden Ball at the World Cup and the winner of the last FIFA World Player of the Year Ronaldinho in the final round of...
and 2008
2008 FIFA World Player of the Year
The 2008 FIFA World Player of the Year awards took place on 12 January 2009 at the Zurich Opera House, Zürich, Switzerland, with Cristiano Ronaldo of Manchester United and Portugal taking the men's award, and Marta of Umeå IK and Brazil taking the women's award for the third year in a row.Other...
.
In 2011, she competed in the FIFA World Cup, where she scored from the spot in England's quarterfinal match with France
France women's national football team
The French women's national football team represents France in international women's football. The team is directed by the French Football Federation and competes as a member of UEFA in various international football tournaments such as the FIFA Women's World Cup, UEFA Women's Euro, the Summer...
, to give England a 1–0 lead in the penalty shootout
Penalty shootout
The shootout is a method of determining a winner in sports matches that would have otherwise been drawn or tied. The rules for penalty shootouts vary between sports and even different competitions; however, the usual form is similar to penalty shots in that a single player takes one shot on goal...
(England would go on to lose the shootout 4–3). Smith, hindered by an achilles injury
Achilles tendon rupture
The Achilles tendon is the most commonly injured tendon. Rupture can occur while performing actions requiring explosive acceleration, such as pushing off or jumping...
, was dissatisfied with her own performances at the tournament: "I have to acknowledge that I didn't play well and I have to live with that." She returned to the England squad for a UEFA Women's Euro 2013 qualifying
UEFA Women's Euro 2013 qualifying
The Qualifying rounds for the UEFA Women's Euro 2013 will determine which 11 teams join Sweden, the hosts of the 2013 tournament, to play for the UEFA Women's Championship.-Tie breakers:...
tie with Serbia
Serbia women's national football team
The Serbia women's national football team represents Serbia in international women's football competitions and is controlled by the Football Association of Serbia...
after missing the first three matches of the campaign.
Honours
Smith was appointed Member of the Order of the British EmpireOrder of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(MBE) in the 2008 Birthday Honours.
Arsenal
- Women’s Premier League: 1996/97, 2005/06, 2006/07, 2007/08
- UEFA Women’s Cup: 2006/07
- FA Cup: 2005/06, 2006/07, 2007/08
- Premier League Cup: 2005/06, 2006/07, 2008/09
- Community Shield: 2005/06, 2006/07, 2007/08, 2008/09