Tommy W. Smith
Encyclopedia
Thomas William "Tommy" Smith (born 22 May 1980 in Hemel Hempstead
, England
) is an English footballer who currently plays for Premier League club Queen Park Rangers
. He is normally used as a right winger or a striker.
Smith started his career at Watford
, where his younger brother Jack
was also a trainee. He played a part in Watford's consecutive promotions from the Second Division
, reaching the Premier League in 1999. Although Watford were relegated in 2000, Smith represented his country at under-21
level the following season. He left Watford to join Sunderland
on a free transfer in 2003, before moving to Derby County
in 2004. He was voted Derby Player of the year in 2006, before re-joining Watford. After the club's relegation in his first season back at Vicarage Road
, Smith's subsequent performances earned him consecutive Watford Player of the Season awards in 2007–08 and 2008–09. At the start of the following season he was sold to Premier League club Portsmouth
. The club faced administration that season, and were eventually relegated. The following season Smith joined Championship
club QPR
, becoming a regular in a team challenging for promotion to the Premier League.
, Hertfordshire
. His father Dave was a former Watford
youth team player, and helped coach with the academy during his son's time there. His younger brother Jack
, born in 1983, also came through the club's youth system to become a professional player. Smith attended Hemel Hempstead school between 1991 and 1997.
Smith has been with his wife Nina since leaving school. They married in 2005, and have two children. Outside of football, Smith's interests include golf and films.
, Sheffield United
, who had a base in Amersham
, and Watford, who he was with until the age of 12. After only playing for Comets Sports club in Sunday league football
for two years, he was scouted by Watford in a county trial at the age of 14 and signed with them again. Manager Graham Taylor gave Smith his debut for Watford on 18 November 1997, bringing him on as a substitute in a 2–1 Second Division
win over Oldham Athletic
. Smith did not play another league game in 1997–98, but made eight appearances for Watford as they qualified for the play-offs in the 1998–99 season, where the club gained promotion to the Premiership. He established himself in the team during the club's first Premier League season, making 23 appearances and scoring two goals, including one at Vicarage Road
against Manchester United
.
Although Watford were relegated in 1999–2000, Smith remained at the club, playing under Gianluca Vialli
and Ray Lewington, and scoring on his sole appearance for the England under-21 team in a 6–1 win against Georgia under-21
. Watford finished in the bottom half of the First Division
for three consecutive seasons, but individually Smith progressed; in 2002–03 he finished as Watford's second highest goalscorer, with nine goals in all competitions. This included crucial goals in Watford's 2003 FA Cup
run. His re-taken penalty against Sunderland
was the only goal of the fifth round tie, and he also scored the winning goal against Burnley
in the quarter final, having recovered from a car crash. However he was dropped to the bench for Watford's 2003 FA Cup
semi-final with Southampton
, with on-loan striker Michael Chopra
chosen instead. He later admitted that this had left him "devastated".
, who did not offer him a contract for financial reasons. He then went on trial with West Ham United
, but Glenn Roeder
was sacked as manager, and his replacement Alan Pardew
chose not to sign him permanently. Smith then spent a week on trial with Italian side Perugia
which he "hated". On his return to England he started a trial with Sunderland
, subsequently signing a contract in September 2003. Smith spent one season at Sunderland, helping them to finish third in the Championship
, after which they lost 5–4 on penalties to Crystal Palace
in the play-off semi-finals. For the second consecutive season Smith scored the winning goal in an FA Cup quarter final, and this time he was selected to play in the semi-final, which Sunderland lost 1–0 to Millwall
. Smith bought a house in the Sunderland area and anticipated discussing a two-year contract at the end of the 2003–04 season. However, talks stalled and he chose to move to another Championship
club, Derby County
.
. He scored his first goal for the club in a 2–0 victory over Queens Park Rangers
. Derby reached the Championship play-offs in Smith's first season at Pride Park
. However, they were defeated 2–0 at Preston in the first leg of the semi finals. In the second leg, at Pride Park, Smith was substituted at half time. The game finished goalless, meaning that Preston progressed to the final. Smith came second in the voting for Player of the year behind Inigo Idiakez
, but did win the inaugural Derbyshire Fair Play award. Derby's form deteriorated in 2005–06, with the club finishing 20th in the table, and eliminated early from both cup competitions. However, this time Smith became the club's Player of the year. At the end of the season, Billy Davies
was appointed Derby manager charged with the task of taking them to an all time low and Smith believed that Davies "wanted to bring his own players in." He was close to signing for Sheffield United, before he was the subject of an approach from former club Watford, who had just won promotion to the Premier League. On 30 August 2006, Smith rejoined Watford for a fee of £500k, signing a four-year contract.
at Vicarage Road
. However, this wasn't enough to prevent a 2–1 defeat. Watford reached the last four of the FA Cup in 2007, and in contrast to 2003, Smith was selected to start for Watford in the semi-final. However, for the second time in his career Smith was on the losing side, this time 4–1 to Manchester United. At the end of the 2006–07 season Smith finished sixth in the voting for the club's Player of the Season awards, behind runaway winner Ben Foster
. However, Watford manager Aidy Boothroyd named Smith as his "outfield player of the season." After relegation from the Premier League, Smith had a successful season in the Championship, with seven goals and nine assists earning him the 2008 Watford Player of the Season award. One of his goals was the equaliser in a 1–1 draw against Blackpool
on the last day of the regular season, which secured Watford's place in the 2007–08 Championship play-offs. Smith played in both legs of the semi finals, where they were defeated 6–1 on aggregate by Hull City
.
One of his best seasons was the 2008–09 season, in which he scored seventeen league goals and made nine assists. As well as finishing as the club's top scorer, he was named Player of the Season for the second year running, as Watford finished 13th. Smith made his 300th appearance for Watford
in the penultimate game of the season, a 3–2 win away to Coventry City
. He started the 2009–10 season in similar form, and was involved in all of Watford's first seven league goals, scoring two and assisting
the other five. This was despite ongoing transfer speculation linking Smith with Reading—managed by former Watford manager Brendan Rodgers
—as well as other Premier League and Championship clubs, and Watford manager Malky Mackay
confirming that the club was considering an offer for him.
for an undisclosed fee believed to be in the region of £1.8m. He later admitted that he was close to signing for Championship
side Reading
but chose Portsmouth
instead. On 30 August 2009, Smith made his Portsmouth
debut in a 1–0 defeat to Manchester City
at Fratton Park
. Portsmouth failed to pay their player's wages on time on three occasions in the 2009–10 season, and Smith was among a number of Portsmouth players linked with a transfer during the January 2010 transfer window
. However, due to his five games for Watford, he would have been ineligible to play for another club during the 2009–10 season.
Smith scored his first goal for Portsmouth against Hull City on 20 March 2010.
He suffered a broken nose following Daniel Sturridge
elbowing him in the face in the following game, and subsequently missed the FA Cup semi-final. However, he recovered to play four further Premier League matches. Portsmouth were relegated in 20th position at the end of the season, having been deducted nine points for entering into administration. Despite uncertainty over whether the club would be able to continue as a business, Smith remained at the club. He started their first match of the 2010–11 season
on 7 August 2010, a match in which Portsmouth were only able to name four of their permitted seven substitutes.
on an initial three-month loan deal. His move was made permanent in January 2011, with Smith having agreed a three-year deal for a fee of around £1.5 million. Smith provided the assist for Heidar Helguson in Rangers' 2–1 success at Crystal Palace on 2 October and has since made many positive contributions to the QPR team but found starts hard to come by in the early days of his Rangers career. He scored his first goal for the club against Reading
on 6 November and also netted a late equaliser in a 1–1 draw with former club Portsmouth three days later, scoring a last-minute penalty to earn QPR a point and keep their unbeaten start to the season intact. On 20 August 2011, he scored his and QPR first goal of the Premier League 2011-2012 season, in a 1-0 away win against Everton.
said of Smith:
Key
Apps = Appearances
= Yellow cards
= Red cards
:
Hemel Hempstead
Hemel Hempstead is a town in Hertfordshire in the East of England, to the north west of London and part of the Greater London Urban Area. The population at the 2001 Census was 81,143 ....
, England
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...
) is an English footballer who currently plays for Premier League club Queen Park Rangers
Queens 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...
. He is normally used as a right winger or a striker.
Smith started his career at Watford
Watford 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 younger brother Jack
Jack Smith (footballer born 1983)
Jack David Smith is an English footballer, currently playing for Millwall after being released by Swindon Town in May 2009.-Watford:...
was also a trainee. He played a part in Watford's consecutive promotions from 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...
, reaching the Premier League in 1999. Although Watford were relegated in 2000, Smith represented his country at 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....
level the following season. He left Watford to join 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...
on a free transfer in 2003, before moving to Derby County
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
in 2004. He was voted Derby Player of the year in 2006, before re-joining Watford. After the club's relegation in his first season back at Vicarage Road
Vicarage Road
Vicarage Road, a stadium in Watford, Hertfordshire, England, is the home of the football club Watford and their tenants, the Saracens rugby union club. An all-seater stadium, its current capacity is 17,477.-History:...
, Smith's subsequent performances earned him consecutive Watford Player of the Season awards in 2007–08 and 2008–09. At the start of the following season he was sold to Premier League club Portsmouth
Portsmouth F.C.
Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from...
. The club faced administration that season, and were eventually relegated. The following season Smith joined Championship
Football 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...
club QPR
Queens 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...
, becoming a regular in a team challenging for promotion to the Premier League.
Early and personal life
Smith was born in 1980, in Hemel HempsteadHemel Hempstead
Hemel Hempstead is a town in Hertfordshire in the East of England, to the north west of London and part of the Greater London Urban Area. The population at the 2001 Census was 81,143 ....
, Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England. The county town is Hertford.The county is one of the Home Counties and lies inland, bordered by Greater London , Buckinghamshire , Bedfordshire , Cambridgeshire and...
. His father Dave was a former Watford
Watford 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...
youth team player, and helped coach with the academy during his son's time there. His younger brother Jack
Jack Smith (footballer born 1983)
Jack David Smith is an English footballer, currently playing for Millwall after being released by Swindon Town in May 2009.-Watford:...
, born in 1983, also came through the club's youth system to become a professional player. Smith attended Hemel Hempstead school between 1991 and 1997.
Smith has been with his wife Nina since leaving school. They married in 2005, and have two children. Outside of football, Smith's interests include golf and films.
Watford
As a boy Smith trained with 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...
, 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...
, who had a base in Amersham
Amersham
Amersham is a market town and civil parish within Chiltern district in Buckinghamshire, England, 27 miles north west of London, in the Chiltern Hills. It is part of the London commuter belt....
, and Watford, who he was with until the age of 12. After only playing for Comets Sports club in Sunday league football
Sunday league football
Sunday league football is a term used in the United Kingdom to describe those association football leagues which play on Sunday, as opposed to the more usual Saturday. These leagues tend to be lower standard amateur competitions, whose players may have less ability, or less time to devote to...
for two years, he was scouted by Watford in a county trial at the age of 14 and signed with them again. Manager Graham Taylor gave Smith his debut for Watford on 18 November 1997, bringing him on as a substitute in a 2–1 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...
win over Oldham Athletic
Oldham Athletic A.F.C.
Oldham Athletic Association Football Club is an English association football club based at Boundary Park, on Sheepfoot Lane in Oldham, Greater Manchester. The club currently competes in the Football League One, the third tier of the English league...
. Smith did not play another league game in 1997–98, but made eight appearances for Watford as they qualified for the play-offs in the 1998–99 season, where the club gained promotion to the Premiership. He established himself in the team during the club's first Premier League season, making 23 appearances and scoring two goals, including one at Vicarage Road
Vicarage Road
Vicarage Road, a stadium in Watford, Hertfordshire, England, is the home of the football club Watford and their tenants, the Saracens rugby union club. An all-seater stadium, its current capacity is 17,477.-History:...
against 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...
.
Although Watford were relegated in 1999–2000, Smith remained at the club, playing under Gianluca Vialli
Gianluca Vialli
Gianluca Vialli is an Italian football manager and former player. Since retiring, he has gone into management and punditry and is a commentator for Sky Sport Italia....
and Ray Lewington, and scoring on his sole appearance for the England under-21 team in a 6–1 win against Georgia under-21
Georgia national under-21 football team
The Georgian U-21 national football team is the football team representing Georgia in competitions for under-21 year old players.-Current squad :The following players were called up for the European Under-21 Football Championship...
. Watford finished in the bottom half of 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....
for three consecutive seasons, but individually Smith progressed; in 2002–03 he finished as Watford's second highest goalscorer, with nine goals in all competitions. This included crucial goals in Watford's 2003 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. His re-taken penalty against 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...
was the only goal of the fifth round tie, and he also scored the winning goal against 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...
in the quarter final, having recovered from a car crash. However he was dropped to the bench for Watford's 2003 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...
semi-final with 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...
, with on-loan striker Michael Chopra
Michael Chopra
Rocky Michael Chopra is an English footballer who plays for Football League Championship side Ipswich Town. He is of mixed Indian and British descent....
chosen instead. He later admitted that this had left him "devastated".
Sunderland
Smith chose to leave Watford at the end of the 2002–03 season. However, as he was under the age of 24, he was unable to leave without a fee being paid, and so Watford had to employ him on a monthly contract. He had a two-week trial with Premier League side Charlton AthleticCharlton Athletic F.C.
Charlton Athletic Football Club is an English professional football club based in Charlton, in the London Borough of Greenwich. They compete in Football League One, the third tier of English football. The club was founded on 9 June 1905, when a number of youth clubs in the southeast London area,...
, who did not offer him a contract for financial reasons. He then went on trial with West Ham United
West Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
, but 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...
was sacked as manager, and his replacement Alan Pardew
Alan Pardew
Alan Scott Pardew is an English football manager and former player, currently the manager of Newcastle United....
chose not to sign him permanently. Smith then spent a week on trial with Italian side Perugia
Perugia Calcio
Associazione Calcistica Perugia Calcio is an Italian association football club based in Perugia, Umbria, direct heir of the old Perugia Calcio and A.C. Perugia, excluded from Italian football because of financial troubles....
which he "hated". On his return to England he started a trial with 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...
, subsequently signing a contract in September 2003. Smith spent one season at Sunderland, helping them to finish third in the Championship
Football 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...
, after which they lost 5–4 on penalties to Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace F.C.
Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in...
in the play-off semi-finals. For the second consecutive season Smith scored the winning goal in an FA Cup quarter final, and this time he was selected to play in the semi-final, which Sunderland lost 1–0 to 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...
. Smith bought a house in the Sunderland area and anticipated discussing a two-year contract at the end of the 2003–04 season. However, talks stalled and he chose to move to another Championship
Football 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...
club, Derby County
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
.
Derby County
Smith made his Derby debut in a league game against Leeds UnitedLeeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
. He scored his first goal for the club in a 2–0 victory over Queens Park Rangers
Queens 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...
. Derby reached the Championship play-offs in Smith's first season at Pride Park
Pride Park Stadium
Pride Park Stadium is an all-seater football stadium located on the Pride Park business park on the outskirts of Derby, England. It is the current home of Football League Championship club Derby County, who moved to the stadium from the Baseball Ground upon its opening in 1997...
. However, they were defeated 2–0 at Preston in the first leg of the semi finals. In the second leg, at Pride Park, Smith was substituted at half time. The game finished goalless, meaning that Preston progressed to the final. Smith came second in the voting for Player of the year behind Inigo Idiakez
Iñigo Idiakez
Iñigo Idiákez Barkaiztegi is a retired Spanish footballer who played as a midfielder .During 13 years, he played for Real Sociedad, with relative impact with the first team...
, but did win the inaugural Derbyshire Fair Play award. Derby's form deteriorated in 2005–06, with the club finishing 20th in the table, and eliminated early from both cup competitions. However, this time Smith became the club's Player of the year. At the end of the season, Billy Davies
Billy Davies
William McIntosh "Billy" Davies is a Glasgow-born Scottish football manager, noted for his achievement in the Football League Championship with East Midlands Rivals Derby County and Nottingham Forest and Preston North End which has led him to be described, in 2011, as "probably the best manager at...
was appointed Derby manager charged with the task of taking them to an all time low and Smith believed that Davies "wanted to bring his own players in." He was close to signing for Sheffield United, before he was the subject of an approach from former club Watford, who had just won promotion to the Premier League. On 30 August 2006, Smith rejoined Watford for a fee of £500k, signing a four-year contract.
Return to Watford
Smith scored his first league goal of his second spell at Watford on 26 December 2006, against ArsenalArsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
at Vicarage Road
Vicarage Road
Vicarage Road, a stadium in Watford, Hertfordshire, England, is the home of the football club Watford and their tenants, the Saracens rugby union club. An all-seater stadium, its current capacity is 17,477.-History:...
. However, this wasn't enough to prevent a 2–1 defeat. Watford reached the last four of the FA Cup in 2007, and in contrast to 2003, Smith was selected to start for Watford in the semi-final. However, for the second time in his career Smith was on the losing side, this time 4–1 to Manchester United. At the end of the 2006–07 season Smith finished sixth in the voting for the club's Player of the Season awards, behind runaway winner Ben Foster
Ben Foster (footballer)
Benjamin Anthony "Ben" Foster is an English professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for West Bromwich Albion, on loan from Birmingham City, and internationally for the England national team.-Stoke City:...
. However, Watford manager Aidy Boothroyd named Smith as his "outfield player of the season." After relegation from the Premier League, Smith had a successful season in the Championship, with seven goals and nine assists earning him the 2008 Watford Player of the Season award. One of his goals was the equaliser in a 1–1 draw against Blackpool
Blackpool F.C.
Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the...
on the last day of the regular season, which secured Watford's place in the 2007–08 Championship play-offs. Smith played in both legs of the semi finals, where they were defeated 6–1 on aggregate by Hull City
Hull City A.F.C.
Hull City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, founded in 1904. The club participates in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football...
.
One of his best seasons was the 2008–09 season, in which he scored seventeen league goals and made nine assists. As well as finishing as the club's top scorer, he was named Player of the Season for the second year running, as Watford finished 13th. Smith made his 300th appearance for 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...
in the penultimate game of the season, a 3–2 win away 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...
. He started the 2009–10 season in similar form, and was involved in all of Watford's first seven league goals, scoring two and assisting
Assist (football)
In association football, an assist is a contribution by a player which helps to score a goal. Statistics for assists made by players may be kept officially by the organisers of a competition, or unofficially by, for example, journalists or organisers of fantasy football competitions...
the other five. This was despite ongoing transfer speculation linking Smith with Reading—managed by former Watford manager Brendan Rodgers
Brendan Rodgers
Brendan Rodgers is a Northern Irish former footballer, who is currently the manager of Swansea City.After retiring as a footballer at the age of 20, Rodgers stayed at Reading and was appointed as youth team coach. He joined Chelsea, under the leadership of José Mourinho, as youth team manager in...
—as well as other Premier League and Championship clubs, and Watford manager Malky Mackay
Malky Mackay
Malcolm George "Malky" Mackay is a Scottish football manager and former player, who played as a central defender. He is currently the manager of Cardiff City. Mackay began his playing career in Scottish football, with Queen's Park and Celtic. He joined English side Norwich City in 1998, remaining...
confirming that the club was considering an offer for him.
Portsmouth
On 27 August 2009, it was confirmed that Smith had signed a four-year deal with Premier League Club PortsmouthPortsmouth F.C.
Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from...
for an undisclosed fee believed to be in the region of £1.8m. He later admitted that he was close to signing for Championship
Championship
Championship is a term used in sport to refer to various forms of competition in which the aim is to decide which individual or team is the champion.- Title match system :...
side Reading
Reading F.C.
Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship...
but chose Portsmouth
Portsmouth F.C.
Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from...
instead. On 30 August 2009, Smith made his Portsmouth
Portsmouth F.C.
Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from...
debut in a 1–0 defeat to Manchester City
Manchester City F.C.
Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894...
at Fratton Park
Fratton Park
Fratton Park is a football stadium in the English city-port of Portsmouth. It has been the home of professional club Portsmouth F.C. since its construction in 1898.-Description:...
. Portsmouth failed to pay their player's wages on time on three occasions in the 2009–10 season, and Smith was among a number of Portsmouth players linked with a transfer during the January 2010 transfer window
Transfer window
The transfer window is the period during the year in which a football club can transfer players from other countries into their playing staff. Such a transfer is completed by registering the player into the new club through FIFA...
. However, due to his five games for Watford, he would have been ineligible to play for another club during the 2009–10 season.
Smith scored his first goal for Portsmouth against Hull City on 20 March 2010.
He suffered a broken nose following Daniel Sturridge
Daniel Sturridge
Daniel Andre Sturridge is an English footballer who plays for Chelsea and the England national team. He is primarily a forward, but has been used on the right flank as a winger for Chelsea...
elbowing him in the face in the following game, and subsequently missed the FA Cup semi-final. However, he recovered to play four further Premier League matches. Portsmouth were relegated in 20th position at the end of the season, having been deducted nine points for entering into administration. Despite uncertainty over whether the club would be able to continue as a business, Smith remained at the club. He started their first match of the 2010–11 season
2010–11 Portsmouth F.C. season
The 2010-11 Season is Portsmouth's first season in The Championship after they were relegated from the Premier League during the 2009-10 season...
on 7 August 2010, a match in which Portsmouth were only able to name four of their permitted seven substitutes.
Queens Park Rangers
On 31 August, Smith joined QPRQueens 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...
on an initial three-month loan deal. His move was made permanent in January 2011, with Smith having agreed a three-year deal for a fee of around £1.5 million. Smith provided the assist for Heidar Helguson in Rangers' 2–1 success at Crystal Palace on 2 October and has since made many positive contributions to the QPR team but found starts hard to come by in the early days of his Rangers career. He scored his first goal for the club against Reading
Reading F.C.
Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship...
on 6 November and also netted a late equaliser in a 1–1 draw with former club Portsmouth three days later, scoring a last-minute penalty to earn QPR a point and keep their unbeaten start to the season intact. On 20 August 2011, he scored his and QPR first goal of the Premier League 2011-2012 season, in a 1-0 away win against Everton.
Playing style
As a young child Smith played as a central midfielder, before converting to a striker at age 12. At 5 in 8 in (1.73 m), Smith is shorter than the average Premier League footballer. He is a quick player capable of kicking the ball with his weaker left foot, and prefers being part of a team that plays passing football, than one that employs a more direct style. Upon signing him for Portsmouth, then-manager Paul HartPaul Hart
Paul Hart is an English football manager and former football defender, who is currently Academy Director at Charlton Athletic. The son of Johnny Hart, a football inside forward and manager, Hart had five-year spells with both Blackpool and Leeds United, while also playing for Nottingham Forest and...
said of Smith:
I’ve liked Tommy for a long time. He’s clever, infectious, enthusiastic and a hard worker. He can play as a centre-forward, behind the centre-forward or out wide, so covers a lot of positions. He’s going to be a great asset to us.
Career statistics
Dash (—) indicates that club did not participate in competition. Statistics correct .Key
Apps = Appearances
| Club | Season | DivisionThe First Division was renamed as the Championship for the start of the 2004–05 season. | League | 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... |
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... |
Playoffs | Total | Discipline | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |
|
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| Watford Watford 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... |
1997–98 | 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... |
1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 1998–99 | 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.... |
8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| 1999–2000 | Premier League | 22 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 23 | 2 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 2000–01 | 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.... |
43 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | — | 48 | 12 | 2 | 0 | ||
| 2001–02 | 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.... |
40 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | — | 45 | 11 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 2002–03 | 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.... |
35 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 0 | — | 41 | 9 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 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... |
2003–04 | 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.... |
35 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 41 | 8 | 1 | 0 |
| Derby County Derby County F.C. Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English... |
2004–05 | Championship Football 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... |
42 | 11 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 47 | 11 | 2 | 0 |
| 2005–06 2005–06 Derby County F.C. season During the 2005–06 English football season, Derby County F.C. competed in the Football League Championship.-Season summary:Derby County had high hopes going into the season after finishing fourth the previous season, but manager George Burley, who had transformed Derby from relegation candiates... |
Championship Football 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... |
43 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — | 46 | 9 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 2006–07 | Championship Football 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... |
5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Watford Watford 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... |
2006–07 2006–07 Watford F.C. season During the 2006–07 English football season, Watford F.C. competed in the FA Premier League, after being promoted from the Football League Championship last season... |
Premier League | 32 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | 37 | 2 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2007–08 2007–08 Watford F.C. season The 2007–08 football season was Watford Football Club's 62rd consecutive season of competitive football since the Second World War. It began on 1 July 2007, and concluded on 30 June 2008, although competitive games were only played between August and May.... |
Championship Football 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... |
44 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 48 | 7 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2008–09 2008–09 Watford F.C. season -External links:**... |
Championship Football 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... |
44 | 17 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | 49 | 17 | 2 | 0 | ||
| 2009–10 | Championship Football 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... |
4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Portsmouth Portsmouth F.C. Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from... |
2009–10 | Premier League | 16 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 18 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2010–11 2010–11 Portsmouth F.C. season The 2010-11 Season is Portsmouth's first season in The Championship after they were relegated from the Premier League during the 2009-10 season... |
Championship Football 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... |
3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Queen Park Rangers Queens 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... (loan) |
2010–11 2010–11 Queens Park Rangers F.C. season The 2010–11 season was Queens Park Rangers's 122nd professional season and their 7th consecutive season in the Championship. The club finished the season in 1st place, winning promotion to the Premier League after a 15 year absence.-Current squad:... |
Championship Football 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... |
32 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 32 | 6 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2011–12 2011–12 Queens Park Rangers F.C. season The 2011–12 season is Queens Park Rangers's 123rd professional season and their 5th season in the Premier League. The club is competing in the Premier League for the first time in fifteen years, following their promotion as champions from The Championship in 2010–11.-Current squad:-Out on... |
Premier League | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Career totals | 440 | 89 | 28 | 8 | 17 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 491 | 98 | 16 | 0 | ||
Club
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...
:
- Football League ChampionshipFootball League ChampionshipThe 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...
(1): 2010–112010–11 Football League ChampionshipThe 2010–11 Football League Championship was the seventh season of the league under its current name and nineteenth season under its current league division format...