Gary Smith (footballer born 1984)

Gary Smith
Personal information
Full name Gary Stephen Smith
Date of birth 30 January 1984 (1984-01-30) (age 28)
Place of birth Middlesbrough, England
Height 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Playing position Midfielder
Club information
Current club Darlington
Number 20
Youth career
1999–2003 Middlesbrough
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
2003–2004 Middlesbrough 0 (0)
2004 → Wimbledon (loan) 11 (3)
2004–2007 Milton Keynes Dons 71 (5)
2007–2009 Brentford 33 (1)
2009– Darlington 71 (2)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 21:57, 30 June 2011 (UTC).
† Appearances (Goals).

Gary Stephen Smith[1] (born 30 January 1984) is a professional footballer who plays for Darlington after he was released by Brentford at the end of an injury struck 2008–09 season. He has also played for Middlesbrough and Milton Keynes Dons. He plays as a midfielder.

Contents

Career

Smith was born in Middlesbrough, and began his career as a trainee at Middlesbrough F.C. In a reserve match against Manchester United, a tackle from Smith badly injured promising footballer Ben Collett, ending his career in England.[2] He joined Wimbledon on loan following the club's move to Milton Keynes, making the move permanent in the summer of 2004.

Although suffering from numerous spells out injured, he established himself as a fans' favourite due to his attacking style and flair in midfield. Injury struck again, however, in the derby game at Wycombe Wanderers and even though a hobbling Smith characteristically scored the Dons' winner late on in the game, this proved to be his last game for the club as he was one of a number of players released in May 2007.

After impressing in several games in pre-season whilst on trial at Brentford, Smith was offered and signed a one-year contract at Griffin Park in June 2007. At the start of 2008, this was extended to the end of the 2008–09 season, when he was released from the club.

On 1 July 2009 he signed for League Two side Darlington.

Honours

References

  1. ^ Hugman, Barry, ed (2005). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2005/2006. Queen Anne Press. p. 377. ISBN 978-1-85291-662-1. 
  2. ^ "Footballer awaits damages claim over career-ending Boro tackle". The Northern Echo. 4 July 2008. http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/display.var.2380808.0.footballer_awaits_damages_claim_over_careerending_boro_tackle.php. Retrieved 2008-07-05. 

External links

Darlington F.C. – current squad