Mark Smith (footballer born 1960)
Encyclopedia
Mark Craig Smith is a former professional
footballer, who now works as Development Coach at Sheffield United
.
A England under-21
international, he posted 510 league appearances in a seventeen year career in the Football League
. He spent the first ten years of his career at Sheffield Wednesday
, and by the time he left for Plymouth Argyle
in 1987 he had made 282 league appearances for Wednesday. During his time in Sheffield, Wednesday twice won promotion and twice appeared in the FA Cup semi-finals. He switched to Barnsley
in 1990, before he signed with Notts County
in 1992. He was loaned out to Port Vale
, Huddersfield Town
, and Chesterfield
, before he finished his career at Lincoln City
in 1994. He then began work as a coach, which included a one game stint in charge of Sheffield Wednesday in 2004, in a caretaker manager capacity.
in 1977. He was renowned for his prowess from the penalty spot, achieving a club record
eleven successful penalty conversions in the 1979–80 season. During his time at Hillsborough, the club won promotion out of the Third Division
in 1979–80 (a campaign in which Smith was named in the PFA Team of the Year
), and were promoted out of the Second Division
in 1983–84. Wednesday also reached the FA Cup Semi-finals
in 1982–83 and 1985–86, and posted a fifth place finish in the First Division
in 1985–86. Smith played a total of 282 league games for Wednesday during his ten years at the club, playing under Jack Charlton
and then Howard Wilkinson
.
Smith joined Dave Smith's Second Division Plymouth Argyle
in 1987. He racked up 82 league appearances in three mid-table campaigns, the latter two of which were under the management of Ken Brown, before he moved on to league rivals Barnsley
in 1990.
Mel Machin
's side missed out on the play-offs on goal difference in 1990–91, but finished mid-table in 1991–92. Smith played over 100 games for the "Tykes" in just under three years before joining Neil Warnock
's Notts County
in 1992. At age 32, it was at County where his career stuttered, he had loan spells with John Rudge
's Port Vale
, Huddersfield Town
and Third Division Chesterfield
. He only played between five and six league games at each of the four clubs (including Notts County).
In the summer of 1993, Smith joined Lincoln City
, making his debut in the club's opening day 1–0 defeat at Colchester United
on 14 August 1993. In March 1994, with manager Keith Alexander
lacking an assistant, Smith was appointed to a player-coach role at the club though the appointment coincided with his final professional appearance in the 2–0 home victory over Colchester United
on 15 March 1994.
was offered his old role as youth team coach but instead opted for the same position at Mansfield Town
with Smith appointed to the post at Lincoln City
.
After a season at Sincil Bank
, Smith moved on to a similar role at Notts County
. Following the sacking of Colin Murphy and Steve Thompson, Smith was placed in temporary charge of the Magpies prior to the appointment of Sam Allardyce
. Under Allardyce, Smith stepped up to become assistant manager.
Smith joined the academy at his former club Barnsley
in 1998. He steered the club's youngsters to the FA Youth Cup
semi-final in 2001–02, defeat coming at the hands of eventual victors Aston Villa
, the run including the defeat of Manchester United
on penalties at Old Trafford
on 1 March 2002. That success was followed up in the 2002–03 season with victory over Liverpool
in the FA Youth Cup and the runners-up spot in the FA Premier Academy League Group B. At the end of his contract on 30 June 2003, Smith announced that he was leaving his post as Assistant Academy Director at Oakwell.
Smith linked up with his boyhood heroes Sheffield Wednesday
, being appointed Academy under-19 coach on 1 July 2003. Following the departure of manager Chris Turner in September 2004, Smith was placed in temporary charge with Chris Marsden
as his assistant; Smith declared it an honour to have the opportunity to manage the club he had both supported and played for. He presided over a 1–0 League Cup
defeat to Coventry City
on 22 September 2004 before reverting to his previous role following the appointment of Paul Sturrock
as manager. Following a review of their academy structure, Smith departed Wednesday in June 2006.
The 2006–07 season saw Smith join Ilkeston Town as coach and assistant manager to Nigel Jemson
; the two had been teammates at Notts County
. In October 2006, speculation linked him with the vacant manager's position at Worksop Town
but no appointment was forthcoming.
In October 2007, Smith was appointed to the position of International Youth Director at Sheffield United
. He now works as a development coach for the club. His job involves working with the club's young professionals who have graduated from the Academy and looking to force their way into the first team. Alongside Sam Ellis
, he also takes an active role in looking after the "Blades" reserve team.
with Sheffield Wednesday
Professional
A professional is a person who is paid to undertake a specialised set of tasks and to complete them for a fee. The traditional professions were doctors, lawyers, clergymen, and commissioned military officers. Today, the term is applied to estate agents, surveyors , environmental scientists,...
footballer, who now works as Development Coach at Sheffield United
Sheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
.
A England under-21
England national under-21 football team
England's national Under-21 football team, also known as England Under-21s or England U21, is considered to be the feeder team for the England national football team....
international, he posted 510 league appearances in a seventeen year career in the Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
. He spent the first ten years of his career at 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...
, and by the time he left for Plymouth Argyle
Plymouth Argyle F.C.
Plymouth Argyle Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Plymouth, Devon, that plays in Football League Two.Since becoming professional in 1903, the club has won five Football League titles, five Southern League titles and one Western League title. The 2009–10 season was the...
in 1987 he had made 282 league appearances for Wednesday. During his time in Sheffield, Wednesday twice won promotion and twice appeared in the FA Cup semi-finals. He switched to 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...
in 1990, before he signed with Notts County
Notts County F.C.
Notts County Football Club are an English professional football club based in Nottingham. They are the oldest of all the clubs in the world that are now professional, having been formed in 1862. They currently play in League One of The Football League, the third tier of the English football system...
in 1992. He was loaned out to Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
, Huddersfield Town
Huddersfield Town F.C.
Huddersfield Town Football Club is an English football club formed in 1908 and based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. They currently play in League One...
, and Chesterfield
Chesterfield F.C.
Chesterfield Football Club is an English football club based in Chesterfield, Derbyshire. The club currently plays in Football League One, the third tier of English football. Despite being the fourth oldest Football League club in England, they have spent most of their existence in the lower...
, before he finished his career at Lincoln City
Lincoln City F.C.
Lincoln City Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Lincoln, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of the Conference National in 2011–12 following relegation from the Football League....
in 1994. He then began work as a coach, which included a one game stint in charge of Sheffield Wednesday in 2004, in a caretaker manager capacity.
Playing career
A local boy from Shirecliffe, Smith developed through the ranks and into the first team with Sheffield WednesdaySheffield 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...
in 1977. He was renowned for his prowess from the penalty spot, achieving a club record
Sheffield Wednesday F.C. records
These are Sheffield Wednesday F.C. records. They cover all competitive matches dating back to the team's first appearance in the FA Cup in 1880.-Record Games:-Seasonal records:-Record Runs:All records relate to league games only-General:...
eleven successful penalty conversions in the 1979–80 season. During his time at Hillsborough, the club won promotion out of the Third Division
Football League Third Division
The Football League Third Division was the 3 tier of English Football from 1920 until 1992 when after the formation of the Football Association Premier League saw the league renamed The Football League Division Two...
in 1979–80 (a campaign in which Smith was named in the PFA Team of the Year
PFA Team of the Year
The Professional Footballers' Association Team of the Year is an annual award given to a set of 44 footballers in the top four tiers of English football; the Premier League, the Championship, League One and League Two, whom are seen to be deserving of being named in a "Team of the Year".The award...
), and were promoted out of the Second Division
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
in 1983–84. Wednesday also reached the FA Cup Semi-finals
FA Cup Semi-finals
The FA Cup Semi-finals are played to determine which teams will contest the FA Cup Final. They are the penultimate phase of the FA Cup, the oldest football tournament in the world.- Location :...
in 1982–83 and 1985–86, and posted a fifth place finish in the First Division
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
in 1985–86. Smith played a total of 282 league games for Wednesday during his ten years at the club, playing under Jack Charlton
Jack Charlton
John "Jack" Charlton, OBE, DL is a former footballer and manager who played for Leeds United in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, and was part of the England team who won the 1966 World Cup...
and then Howard Wilkinson
Howard Wilkinson
Howard Wilkinson is a former English football player and manager, and has recently stepped down as a Non-Executive Director at Sheffield Wednesday after formerly relinquishing the chairman role to Milan Mandaric...
.
Smith joined Dave Smith's Second Division Plymouth Argyle
Plymouth Argyle F.C.
Plymouth Argyle Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Plymouth, Devon, that plays in Football League Two.Since becoming professional in 1903, the club has won five Football League titles, five Southern League titles and one Western League title. The 2009–10 season was the...
in 1987. He racked up 82 league appearances in three mid-table campaigns, the latter two of which were under the management of Ken Brown, before he moved on to league rivals 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...
in 1990.
Mel Machin
Mel Machin
Melvyn "Mel" Machin is an English former footballer and manager.A midfielder, he started his career at Port Vale in 1962, before he moved on to Gillingham four years later. He made his name at the club from 1966 to 1971, before he transferred to Bournemouth for a three year spell...
's side missed out on the play-offs on goal difference in 1990–91, but finished mid-table in 1991–92. Smith played over 100 games for the "Tykes" in just under three years before joining Neil Warnock
Neil Warnock
Neil Warnock is an English former footballer who is currently manager of English Premier League club Queens Park Rangers....
's Notts County
Notts County F.C.
Notts County Football Club are an English professional football club based in Nottingham. They are the oldest of all the clubs in the world that are now professional, having been formed in 1862. They currently play in League One of The Football League, the third tier of the English football system...
in 1992. At age 32, it was at County where his career stuttered, he had loan spells with John Rudge
John Rudge
John Robert Rudge is an English former football player and football manager. He is currently working as the director of football at Stoke City....
's Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
, Huddersfield Town
Huddersfield Town F.C.
Huddersfield Town Football Club is an English football club formed in 1908 and based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. They currently play in League One...
and Third Division Chesterfield
Chesterfield F.C.
Chesterfield Football Club is an English football club based in Chesterfield, Derbyshire. The club currently plays in Football League One, the third tier of English football. Despite being the fourth oldest Football League club in England, they have spent most of their existence in the lower...
. He only played between five and six league games at each of the four clubs (including Notts County).
In the summer of 1993, Smith joined Lincoln City
Lincoln City F.C.
Lincoln City Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Lincoln, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of the Conference National in 2011–12 following relegation from the Football League....
, making his debut in the club's opening day 1–0 defeat at 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....
on 14 August 1993. In March 1994, with manager Keith Alexander
Keith Alexander (footballer)
Keith Alexander was a Saint Lucian footballer and manager. Born in Nottingham, England, he was the manager of League Two side Macclesfield Town at the time of his death, in a career that included international appearances for Saint Lucia. Alexander played for a whole host of lower league football...
lacking an assistant, Smith was appointed to a player-coach role at the club though the appointment coincided with his final professional appearance in the 2–0 home victory over 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....
on 15 March 1994.
Coaching career
Following his dismissal as manager at the end of the 1993–94 season, Keith AlexanderKeith Alexander (footballer)
Keith Alexander was a Saint Lucian footballer and manager. Born in Nottingham, England, he was the manager of League Two side Macclesfield Town at the time of his death, in a career that included international appearances for Saint Lucia. Alexander played for a whole host of lower league football...
was offered his old role as youth team coach but instead opted for the same position at Mansfield Town
Mansfield Town F.C.
Mansfield Town Football Club is an English football club from the former mining town of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. The club was formed in 1897 as Mansfield Wesleyans and changed its name to Mansfield Wesley in 1906 before settling on Mansfield Town in 1910...
with Smith appointed to the post at Lincoln City
Lincoln City F.C.
Lincoln City Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Lincoln, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of the Conference National in 2011–12 following relegation from the Football League....
.
After a season at Sincil Bank
Sincil Bank
Sincil Bank is a football stadium in Lincoln, England and has been the home of Lincoln City since 1895. Previously, Lincoln City had played at the nearby John O'Gaunts ground since the club's 1884 inception. Sincil Bank has an overall capacity of 10,120 and is colloquially known to fans as "The...
, Smith moved on to a similar role at Notts County
Notts County F.C.
Notts County Football Club are an English professional football club based in Nottingham. They are the oldest of all the clubs in the world that are now professional, having been formed in 1862. They currently play in League One of The Football League, the third tier of the English football system...
. Following the sacking of Colin Murphy and Steve Thompson, Smith was placed in temporary charge of the Magpies prior to the appointment of Sam Allardyce
Sam Allardyce
Samuel "Sam" Allardyce , nicknamed "Big Sam", is an English football manager and former professional player. In June 2011 he was appointed as manager of West Ham United....
. Under Allardyce, Smith stepped up to become assistant manager.
Smith joined the academy at his former club 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...
in 1998. He steered the club's youngsters to the FA Youth Cup
FA Youth Cup
The Football Association Youth Challenge Cup is an English football competition run by The Football Association for under–18 sides. Only those players between the age of 15 and 18 on 31 August of the current season are eligible to take part...
semi-final in 2001–02, defeat coming at the hands of eventual victors Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
, the run including the defeat of Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
on penalties at Old Trafford
Old Trafford
Old Trafford commonly refers to two sporting arenas:* Old Trafford, home of Manchester United F.C.* Old Trafford Cricket Ground, home of Lancashire County Cricket ClubOld Trafford can also refer to:...
on 1 March 2002. That success was followed up in the 2002–03 season with victory over Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
in the FA Youth Cup and the runners-up spot in the FA Premier Academy League Group B. At the end of his contract on 30 June 2003, Smith announced that he was leaving his post as Assistant Academy Director at Oakwell.
Smith linked up with his boyhood heroes 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...
, being appointed Academy under-19 coach on 1 July 2003. Following the departure of manager Chris Turner in September 2004, Smith was placed in temporary charge with Chris Marsden
Chris Marsden
Christopher "Chris" Marsden is an English former footballer who played in the Football League and Premier League for Sheffield United, Huddersfield Town, Coventry City, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Notts County, Stockport County, Birmingham City, Southampton and Sheffield Wednesday, and in the Korean...
as his assistant; Smith declared it an honour to have the opportunity to manage the club he had both supported and played for. He presided over a 1–0 League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
defeat to Coventry City
Coventry City F.C.
Coventry City Football Club, otherwise known as the Sky Blues owing to the traditional colour of their strip, are a professional English Football league club based in Coventry...
on 22 September 2004 before reverting to his previous role following the appointment of Paul Sturrock
Paul Sturrock
Paul Whitehead Sturrock is a Scottish football manager who, since July 2010, is the manager of Southend United. Until this appointment, Sturrock had most recently been at English League 1 club Plymouth Argyle in a business support role, having been relieved of his managerial duties, until he quit...
as manager. Following a review of their academy structure, Smith departed Wednesday in June 2006.
The 2006–07 season saw Smith join Ilkeston Town as coach and assistant manager to Nigel Jemson
Nigel Jemson
Nigel Jemson is an English footballer, who represented his country at the Under-21 level and was the manager of Ilkeston Town, until May 2008...
; the two had been teammates at Notts County
Notts County F.C.
Notts County Football Club are an English professional football club based in Nottingham. They are the oldest of all the clubs in the world that are now professional, having been formed in 1862. They currently play in League One of The Football League, the third tier of the English football system...
. In October 2006, speculation linked him with the vacant manager's position at Worksop Town
Worksop Town F.C.
Worksop Town Football Club are a semi-professional English football club from Worksop, Nottinghamshire who play in the Northern Premier League Premier Division...
but no appointment was forthcoming.
In October 2007, Smith was appointed to the position of International Youth Director at Sheffield United
Sheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
. He now works as a development coach for the club. His job involves working with the club's young professionals who have graduated from the Academy and looking to force their way into the first team. Alongside Sam Ellis
Sam Ellis
Samuel "Sam" Ellis is an English football coach and former player. He left his post as assistant manager of on December 30, 2010.-Career:...
, he also takes an active role in looking after the "Blades" reserve team.
Honours
Individual- PFA Team of the YearPFA Team of the YearThe Professional Footballers' Association Team of the Year is an annual award given to a set of 44 footballers in the top four tiers of English football; the Premier League, the Championship, League One and League Two, whom are seen to be deserving of being named in a "Team of the Year".The award...
(Third DivisionFootball League Third DivisionThe Football League Third Division was the 3 tier of English Football from 1920 until 1992 when after the formation of the Football Association Premier League saw the league renamed The Football League Division Two...
): 1979–80
with Sheffield Wednesday
- Football League Third DivisionFootball League Third DivisionThe Football League Third Division was the 3 tier of English Football from 1920 until 1992 when after the formation of the Football Association Premier League saw the league renamed The Football League Division Two...
third place promotion winner: 1979–80 - Football League Second DivisionFootball League Second DivisionFrom 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
runner-up: 1983–84