Tommy Smith
A head and shoulders of a man, wearing a black blazer, white shirt and blue tie.
Smith in 2006
Personal information
Full name Thomas William Smith
Date of birth (1980-05-22) 22 May 1980
Place of birth Hemel Hempstead, England
Height 1.79 m (5 ft 10 in)[1]
Position(s) Right winger, Striker
Youth career
1995–1997 Watford
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1997–2003 Watford 149 (33)
2003–2004 Sunderland 35 (4)
2004–2006 Derby County 90 (20)
2006–2009 Watford 124 (27)
2009–2010 Portsmouth 19 (1)
2010–2012 Queens Park Rangers 50 (8)
2012–2014 Cardiff City 24 (1)
2014–2015 Brentford 28 (1)
Total 519 (95)
International career
2000 England U21 1 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Thomas William Smith (born 22 May 1980) is an English former professional footballer who played as a right winger or 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 Queens Park Rangers, becoming a regular in a team challenging for promotion to the Premier League. Smith joined Brentford in the summer of 2014, spending one season there where he helped them to the Championship play-offs.

Early and personal life

Smith was born in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire. His father Dave, a chartered surveyor and former Watford youth team player, helped coach with the academy during his son's time there.[2][3][4] His younger brother Jack, born in 1983, also came through the club's youth system to become a professional player. The pair did not play for Watford together competitively, although they would come within 14 minutes of doing so; Tommy was substituted in the 67th minute of the club's 4–0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion on 26 April 2003, while Jack would make his first-team debut as an 81st-minute substitute. Jack would not make another appearance that season, while Tommy left for Sunderland in the summer.

Smith attended Hemel Hempstead school between 1991 and 1997.[5] He has been with his wife Nina since leaving school. They married in 2005, live in Berkhamstead and have three children.[4][6] Outside of football, Smith's interests include golf and films.[6] In 2014, he and his brother Jack took over the sales arm of an estate agent and chartered surveyors with its headquarters in Bushey Heath, near Watford.[4]

Club career

Watford

As a boy Smith trained with Millwall, Sheffield United, who had a base in Amersham, and Watford, who he was with until the age of 12.[2] After only playing for Comets Sports club in Sunday league football for two years, he was given a chance by his father at Watford in a county trial at the age of 14 and signed with them again.[2] 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.[7] 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.[8]

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.[9] 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.[10][11] 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".[12]

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.[2] He had a two-week trial with Premier League side Charlton Athletic, 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".[2] On his return to England he started a trial with Sunderland, subsequently signing a contract in September 2003.[2] 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.[13] For the second consecutive season Smith scored the winning goal in an FA Cup quarter final,[12] and this time he was selected to play in the semi-final, which Sunderland lost 1–0 to Millwall.[14] Smith bought a house in the Sunderland area and anticipated discussing a two-year contract at the end of the 2003–04 season.[2] However, talks stalled and he chose to move to another Championship club, Derby County.[15]

Derby County

Smith made his Derby debut in a league game against Leeds United. He scored his first goal for the club in a 2–0 victory over Queens Park Rangers.[16] 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.[17] Smith came second in the voting for Player of the year behind Iñigo Idiakez, but did win the inaugural Derbyshire Fair Play award.[18] 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.[19] At the end of the season, Billy Davies was appointed Derby manager charged with the task of turning the club around and Smith believed that Davies "wanted to bring his own players in."[2] 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.[20]

Return to Watford

Smith scored his first league goal of his second spell at Watford on 26 December 2006, against Arsenal at Vicarage Road. However, this wasn't enough to prevent a 2–1 defeat.[21] 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.[22] 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.[23][24] However, Watford manager Aidy Boothroyd named Smith as his "outfield player of the season."[25] 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.[26] Smith played in both legs of the semi-finals, where they were defeated 6–1 on aggregate by Hull City.[27]

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.[28] Smith made his 300th appearance for Watford in the penultimate game of the season, a 3–2 win away to Coventry City.[29] 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,[30] and Watford manager Malky Mackay confirming that the club was considering an offer for him.[31]

Portsmouth

On 27 August 2009, it was confirmed that Smith had signed a four-year deal with Premier League club Portsmouth for an undisclosed fee believed to be in the region of £1.8m.[32] He later admitted that he was close to signing for Championship side Reading but chose Portsmouth instead.[2] On 30 August 2009, Smith made his Portsmouth debut in a 1–0 defeat to Manchester City at Fratton Park.[33] Portsmouth failed to pay their player's wages on time on three occasions in the 2009–10 season,[34] 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.[35]

Smith scored his first goal for Portsmouth against Hull City on 20 March 2010.[36] 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, but was left out of the squad for the FA Cup final.[37] 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,[38] 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.[39]

Queens Park Rangers

On 31 August, Smith joined Queens Park Rangers 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.[7][40] Smith provided the assist for Heiðar Helguson in a 2–1 win against 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,[41] 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.[42] On 20 August 2011, he scored his and QPR's first goal of the 2011–12 Premier League season, in a 1–0 away win against Everton.

Cardiff City

On 23 August 2012, Smith signed a two-year contract with Cardiff City for an estimated fee of £350,000. He was given the number 14 shirt,[43] and made his debut two days later on 25 August 2012, in a 2–4 away defeat against Bristol City.[44] On 23 October, Smith suffered a hamstring injury against Watford, which eventually meant that he missed the remainder of 2012.[45] His first goal for Cardiff City came on his first start after returning from his injury on 19 January, and was the winning goal in a 2–1 victory at Blackpool.[46] Smith received another Championship winner's medal as Cardiff won the division in April 2013, but was restricted to three cup appearances during Cardiff's first season in the Premier League. He was released after the Blues' relegation at the end of the 2013–14 season, having made 27 appearances and scored one goal during his two seasons with the club.[47] On 15 July 2014, it was revealed that Smith was training with Championship side Brentford.[48]

Brentford and retirement

On 7 August 2014, Smith signed a one-year deal with Brentford.[49] Smith scored an 86th-minute equalizer on his Brentford debut against Charlton Athletic in a game that finished 1–1, on 9 August 2014.

After his one-year contract expired, Smith was released by Brentford and subsequently announced his retirement. Since retiring in 2015, Smith has appeared as a guest on Sky Sports' coverage of The Football League and on Channel 5's highlights show, Football League Tonight.

Playing style

As a young child Smith played as a central midfielder, before converting to a striker at age 12.[6] He is a quick player capable of kicking the ball with his weaker left foot,[50] and prefers being part of a team that plays passing football, than one that employs a more direct style.[51] Upon signing him for Portsmouth, then-manager Paul Hart 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.[52]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[7]
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Playoffs Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Watford 1997–98 Second Division 101000—20
1998–99 First Division 8200000082
1999–2000 Premier League 2220010—232
2000–01 First Division 43111041—4812
2001–02 First Division 40111040—4511
2002–03 First Division 3575210—419
Total 14933821010016736
Sunderland 2003–04 First Division 354440020418
Derby County 2004–05 Championship[lower-alpha 1] 42113000204711
2005–06 Championship 4382110—469
2006–07 Championship 5100100061
Total 90205120009921
Watford 2006–07 Premier League 3215100—372
2007–08 Championship 447200020487
2008–09 Championship 44172030—4917
2009–10 Championship 420010—52
Total 1242791402013929
Portsmouth 2009–10 Premier League 1612000—181
2010–11 Championship 300010—40
Total 1912010—221
Queens Park Rangers 2010–11 Championship 3360000—336
2011–12 Premier League 1723000—202
Total 5083000—538
Cardiff City 2012–13 Championship 2410000—241
2013–14 Premier League 001020—30
Total 2411020—271
Brentford 2014–15 Championship 2811020—311
Career total 5199533821160579104
  1. ↑ The First Division was renamed as the Championship for the start of the 2004–05 season.

Honours

Queens Park Rangers

Cardiff City

References

  1. ↑ "Premier League Player Profile Tommy Smith". web page. Premier League. Retrieved 18 June 2012.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Tommy Smith". Watford legends. Archived from the original on 15 December 2009. Retrieved 2 January 2010.
  3. ↑ "Tommy Smith bio". ESPNsoccernet. ESPN. Retrieved 26 October 2009.
  4. 1 2 3 "Cardiff City's Tommy Smith and Millwall's Jack Smith take over estate agency business near first club Watford". Watford Observer. Retrieved 6 May 2014.
  5. ↑ "Lifestyle world cup special". Hemel Hempstead Gazette. Johnston Press. 31 August 2006. Archived from the original on 5 November 2012. Retrieved 28 February 2011.
  6. 1 2 3 Charles Collins (17 December 2004). "Player profile:Tommy Smith". BBC. Retrieved 2 January 2010.
  7. 1 2 3 "Tommy Smith: All time playing career". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 October 2009.
  8. ↑ "Games played by Tommy Smith in 1999/2000". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 October 2009.
  9. ↑ Richard Williams (1 September 2000). "Joe Cole fires young England". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 28 October 2009.
  10. ↑ "Watford stun Sunderland". BBC Sport. 18 February 2003. Retrieved 26 October 2009.
  11. ↑ "Burnley stung by Hornets". BBC Sport. 9 March 2003. Retrieved 26 October 2009.
  12. 1 2 Louise Taylor (8 March 2004). "Specialist Smith lights up Wearside". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 26 October 2009.
  13. ↑ "Ups and downs". BBC Sport. 31 May 2004. Retrieved 27 October 2009.
  14. ↑ "Sunderland 0–1 Millwall". BBC Sport. 4 April 2004. Retrieved 26 October 2009.
  15. ↑ "Rams swoop for Tommy Smith". Derby County Football Club. 17 November 2004. Archived from the original on 2 April 2012. Retrieved 4 January 2010.
  16. ↑ "Games played by Tommy Smith in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 January 2010.
  17. ↑ "Derby 0–0 Preston (agg 0–2)". BBC Sport. 19 May 2005. Retrieved 17 January 2010.
  18. ↑ "Stamp of approval". Derby County Football Club. 8 May 2005. Archived from the original on 2 April 2012. Retrieved 17 January 2010.
  19. ↑ "Vote for your 2007/08 player of the year". Derby County Football Club. 16 April 2008. Archived from the original on 19 March 2012. Retrieved 26 October 2009.
  20. ↑ "Derby striker returns to Watford". BBC Sport. 30 August 2006. Retrieved 26 October 2009.
  21. ↑ "Watford 1–2 Arsenal". BBC Sport. 26 December 2006. Retrieved 27 October 2009.
  22. ↑ "Watford 1–4 Manchester United". BBC Sport. 14 April 2007. Retrieved 27 October 2009.
  23. ↑ "Unanimous choice for Player of the Season". Watford Observer. 4 May 2007. Archived from the original on 24 February 2012. Retrieved 3 January 2010.
  24. ↑ "Foster voted player of season". Watford Football Club. 10 October 2013. Archived from the original on 19 July 2011. Retrieved 3 January 2010.
  25. ↑ "Boothroyd Q&A part 2". Watford Football Club. 10 October 2013. Archived from the original on 27 March 2012. Retrieved 3 January 2010.
  26. ↑ "Blackpool 1–1 Watford". BBC Sport. 4 May 2008. Retrieved 4 January 2010.
  27. ↑ Phil McNulty (14 May 2008). "Hull 4–1 Watford (agg 6–1)". BBC Sport. Retrieved 11 January 2010.
  28. ↑ "Player of the season". Watford Football Club. 10 October 2013. Archived from the original on 5 October 2011. Retrieved 26 October 2009.
  29. ↑ "Gaffer sings Smith's praises". Watford Football Club. 10 October 2013. Archived from the original on 12 March 2012. Retrieved 27 October 2009.
  30. ↑ "Watford accept Portsmouth offer for Tommy Smith to scupper Reading". The Guardian. London. 25 August 2009. Retrieved 4 January 2010.
  31. ↑ "Sheff Utd 2–0 Watford". BBC Sport. 15 August 2009. Retrieved 4 January 2010.
  32. ↑ Bryant, Tom (27 August 2009). "Watford's Tommy Smith joins Portsmouth on four-year deal". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 26 October 2009.
  33. ↑ "Portsmouth 0–1 Man City". BBC Sport. 30 August 2009. Retrieved 4 January 2010.
  34. ↑ Szczepanik, Nick (1 January 2010). "Portsmouth fail to pay wages again". The Times. London. Retrieved 4 January 2010.
  35. ↑ Szczepanik, Nick (2 January 2010). "Portsmouth hampered by two-team rule". The Times. London. Retrieved 2 January 2010.
  36. ↑ "Portsmouth 3–2 Hull". BBC. 20 March 2010. Retrieved 20 March 2010.
  37. ↑ "Chelsea 1 - 0 Portsmouth". BBC. 15 May 2010. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  38. ↑ "Portsmouth win High Court fight against tax authorities". BBC Sport. 5 August 2010. Retrieved 7 August 2010.
  39. ↑ "Portsmouth–Coventry". BBC Sport. 7 August 2010. Retrieved 7 August 2010.
  40. ↑ "EXCLUSIVE: R'S AGREE SMITH TRANSFER". Queens Park Rangers F.C. official website. 1 September 2010. Archived from the original on 3 September 2010. Retrieved 31 August 2010.
  41. ↑ "QPR 3–1 Reading". BBC. 6 November 2010. Retrieved 7 November 2010.
  42. ↑ "Portsmouth 1–1 QPR". BBC. 9 November 2010. Retrieved 10 November 2010.
  43. ↑ "Tommy Smith to City". Cardiff City. 24 August 2012. Archived from the original on 26 August 2012. Retrieved 10 October 2013.
  44. ↑ "Bristol City 4–2 Cardiff". BBC Sport. 25 August 2012. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
  45. ↑ "Cardiff City boss Malky Mackay targets left-back and striker in window". South Wales Echo. 21 December 2012. Retrieved 12 December 2012.
  46. ↑ "Blackpool 1–2 Cardiff City". BBC Sport. 19 January 2013. Retrieved 19 January 2013.
  47. ↑ Tommy Smith | Football Stats | No Club | Age 35 | 1997-2015 | Soccer Base
  48. ↑ Striker Tommy Smith at Brentford on trial
  49. ↑ "Tommy Smith: Brentford sign former QPR and Cardiff forward". BBC Sport. 7 August 2014. Retrieved 7 August 2014.
  50. ↑ Jeremy Alexander (3 September 2007). "Boothroyd a confounded nuisance for purists". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 17 January 2010.
  51. ↑ Huw Turbervill (17 August 2008). "Tommy Smith enjoys stylish start as Watford defeat Charlton Athletic at Vicarage Road". The Sunday Telegraph. London: Telegraph Media Group. Retrieved 17 January 2010.
  52. ↑ "Tommy Smith joins blues". Portsmouth Football Club. 29 August 2009. Archived from the original on 28 July 2011. Retrieved 17 January 2010.

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