Martin Smith (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Martin Geoffrey Smith is a former professional
footballer. In his professional career he played for Darlington
, Northampton Town
, Huddersfield Town
, Sheffield United
, Sunderland
and Blyth Spartans
.
At his first club, Sunderland, he was part of two Division One title winning teams which won promotion to the FA Premier League
, and while he was at Sunderland he made his only appearance for the England under-21 side on 15 November 1994.
Many Northampton Town supporters regard Smith as one of the most technically-gifted players ever to represent the club. He memorably scored the winner in a FA Cup 3rd Round replay away at Rotherham in January 2004 giving the Cobblers a 4th round tie at home to Manchester United.
Smith joined Darlington
ahead of the 2006-07 season
. Sunderland born Smith started his career on Wearside. Dubbed 'The Son of Pele' by Sunderland fans, he scored twenty-eight times in 107 starts for the North East giants in a seven year spell, moving to Sheffield United
(scoring fifteen times in 30 starts for the Blades), before joining Huddersfield Town
.
Smith went on to score thirty goals in seventy-five starts, including seventeen during the 2002-03 season
as the Terriers were relegated. He signed for Northampton Town
from Huddersfield Town
on 1 July 2003 after being chased for a few months by their then manager Martin Wilkinson
. Smith started as a forward; however in recent seasons he has been used as a midfielder, continuing to regularly find the net for Northampton during their promotion from League Two during the 2005-06 season
.
At the end of that season the then Northampton Town
manager Colin Calderwood
left for Nottingham Forest
. Smith enjoyed a good relationship with Calderwood and although new Northampton Town
manager John Gorman
worked hard to try to keep Smith at the Sixfields Stadium
, Darlington
(managed at the time by David Hodgson
) eventually got their man.
On 19 March 2008, Smith's contract with Darlington was cancelled. On 29 August 2008 Martin Smith signed for Blue Square North side Blyth Spartans
and made his debut the next day in the 3-0 win against Hucknall Town
coming on as a late sub.
In August 2010 he signed for Kettering Town F.C.
on non-contract terms.
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. In his professional career he played for Darlington
Darlington F.C.
Darlington Football Club is a professional association football club based in Darlington, County Durham, currently playing in the Conference National. The club was founded in 1883, and originally played its games at Feethams, before moving to the Darlington Arena in 2003...
, Northampton Town
Northampton Town F.C.
Northampton Town Football Club are an English professional football club based in Northampton, Northamptonshire. They currently play in Football League Two, the lowest league division, after being relegated from League One on the last day of the 2008–09 season...
, 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...
, 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...
, Sunderland
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
and Blyth Spartans
Blyth Spartans A.F.C.
Blyth Spartans A.F.C. are a professional football club who play in the Conference North, and are based in the town of Blyth, Northumberland, England. They are often the most Northerly team in whichever league or cup they are playing in. They are managed by former Spartans player Steve Cuggy.They...
.
At his first club, Sunderland, he was part of two Division One title winning teams which won promotion to the FA Premier League
FA Premier League
The Premier League is an English professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the English football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 20 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with The Football League. The Premier...
, and while he was at Sunderland he made his only appearance for the England under-21 side on 15 November 1994.
Many Northampton Town supporters regard Smith as one of the most technically-gifted players ever to represent the club. He memorably scored the winner in a FA Cup 3rd Round replay away at Rotherham in January 2004 giving the Cobblers a 4th round tie at home to Manchester United.
Smith joined Darlington
Darlington F.C.
Darlington Football Club is a professional association football club based in Darlington, County Durham, currently playing in the Conference National. The club was founded in 1883, and originally played its games at Feethams, before moving to the Darlington Arena in 2003...
ahead of the 2006-07 season
2006-07 in English football
The 2006–07 season was the 127th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:* The number of divisions at Level 8 of the English football league system increased from four to five...
. Sunderland born Smith started his career on Wearside. Dubbed 'The Son of Pele' by Sunderland fans, he scored twenty-eight times in 107 starts for the North East giants in a seven year spell, moving to 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...
(scoring fifteen times in 30 starts for the Blades), before joining 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...
.
Smith went on to score thirty goals in seventy-five starts, including seventeen during the 2002-03 season
2002-03 in English football
The 2002-03 season was the 123rd season of competitive football in England.-Most Memorable rise:*Wigan Athletic marked their 25th season of Football League membership by winning the Division Two championship and reaching the league's second tier for the very first time.-Most Memorable...
as the Terriers were relegated. He signed for Northampton Town
Northampton Town F.C.
Northampton Town Football Club are an English professional football club based in Northampton, Northamptonshire. They currently play in Football League Two, the lowest league division, after being relegated from League One on the last day of the 2008–09 season...
from 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...
on 1 July 2003 after being chased for a few months by their then manager Martin Wilkinson
Martin Wilkinson
Martin Wilkinson is an English football manager.He has managed the following clubs:*Peterborough United: 29 June 1982–1 February 1983*Carlisle United: 25 June 1999–10 May 2000*Northampton Town: 24 February 2003–29 September 2003- References :...
. Smith started as a forward; however in recent seasons he has been used as a midfielder, continuing to regularly find the net for Northampton during their promotion from League Two during the 2005-06 season
2005-06 in English football
The 2005–06 season was the 126th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*The rebuilt Wembley Stadium was due to open in time for the FA Cup final in May. However, in August 2005, The Football Association reserved the Millennium Stadium as a backup, as there was some doubt whether...
.
At the end of that season the then Northampton Town
Northampton Town F.C.
Northampton Town Football Club are an English professional football club based in Northampton, Northamptonshire. They currently play in Football League Two, the lowest league division, after being relegated from League One on the last day of the 2008–09 season...
manager Colin Calderwood
Colin Calderwood
Colin Calderwood is a Scottish football player and coach. In November 2011 he was appointed as Chris Hughton's assistant manager at Birmingham City....
left for Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest F.C.
Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship...
. Smith enjoyed a good relationship with Calderwood and although new Northampton Town
Northampton Town F.C.
Northampton Town Football Club are an English professional football club based in Northampton, Northamptonshire. They currently play in Football League Two, the lowest league division, after being relegated from League One on the last day of the 2008–09 season...
manager John Gorman
John Gorman (footballer)
John Gorman is a Scottish former football player and coach. He is currently Assistant Manager at MK Dons in the English League One....
worked hard to try to keep Smith at the Sixfields Stadium
Sixfields Stadium
Sixfields Stadium is a 7,653-capacity all-seater sports stadium in Northampton, England. It has been the home ground of Northampton Town Football Club following their move from the County Ground in October 1994....
, Darlington
Darlington F.C.
Darlington Football Club is a professional association football club based in Darlington, County Durham, currently playing in the Conference National. The club was founded in 1883, and originally played its games at Feethams, before moving to the Darlington Arena in 2003...
(managed at the time by David Hodgson
David Hodgson (footballer)
David James Hodgson , is an English former footballer who played for Middlesbrough, Liverpool, Norwich City, Sunderland and Sheffield Wednesday, as well as lower division clubs and teams in France, Japan, and Spain....
) eventually got their man.
On 19 March 2008, Smith's contract with Darlington was cancelled. On 29 August 2008 Martin Smith signed for Blue Square North side Blyth Spartans
Blyth Spartans A.F.C.
Blyth Spartans A.F.C. are a professional football club who play in the Conference North, and are based in the town of Blyth, Northumberland, England. They are often the most Northerly team in whichever league or cup they are playing in. They are managed by former Spartans player Steve Cuggy.They...
and made his debut the next day in the 3-0 win against Hucknall Town
Hucknall Town F.C.
Hucknall Town F.C. are an English football club based in the town of Hucknall, Nottinghamshire. The club are members of the Northern Premier League Premier Division and play at Watnall Road.-History:...
coming on as a late sub.
In August 2010 he signed for Kettering Town F.C.
Kettering Town F.C.
Kettering Town Football Club are a football club originating in Kettering, Northamptonshire but currently based in the nearby village of Irthlingborough. The club play in the Conference National after winning the Conference North in 2007–08...
on non-contract terms.