| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Emmanuele Gabriel Smith[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 8 November 1988 | ||
| Place of birth | Birmingham, England | ||
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||
| Playing position | Defender | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Walsall | ||
| Number | 6 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| ?–2006 | Walsall | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 2006– | Walsall | 75 | (7) |
| 2007 | → Halesowen Town (loan) | 5 | (0) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 20:31, 27 December 2011 (UTC). † Appearances (Goals). |
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Emmanuele Gabriel "Manny" Smith (born 8 November 1988) is an English footballer who plays for Walsall as a defender.
Born in Birmingham, West Midlands, Smith progressed through the youth system at Walsall, eventually signing a one-year contract in May 2006, which kicked off his professional career.
He was captain of Walsall reserve team during the 2006–07 season. He was on the verge of the first team during this very season, however the management at Walsall believed that he lacked that competitive match experience which was needed to become a first-team regular.
He was allowed to link up with Southern Football League Premier Division side, Halesowen Town on loan. During his short time at the club Smith made five league appearances for the Birmingham-based outfit before returning to Bescot Stadium, to make his professional debut on 7 April 2007 in Walsall's Football League Two clash with Torquay United. The centre half came on as a 70th minute substitute in this game replacing Craig Pead.[2]
Smith started the 2007–2008 campaign in high spirit after making his debut in the previous season, the he had also just signed another contract with the club in May 2007, meaning he would remain at the Bescot Stadium until May 2008.
This would prove to be a difficult season for him, especially if he wanted to climb back up the ladder and break back into the first-team. However during the start of the season he failed to do so spending a lot of time playing in the reserve side. February 2008, turned out to be a big month him following the sale of defensive colleague Scott Dann, who joined Coventry City towards the very end of the January transfer window.[3]
Despite the summer departure of fellow centre half Ian Roper, Smith remained as only the third choice centre half due to the arrival of Stephen Roberts from Doncaster Rovers.
He signed a new 2 year contract with the club on 10 May 2010.[4]
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