| view Smith's match-by-match record |
| Grant SMITH | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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A versatile player who could play in defence, midfield or attack, Smith signed from Sheffield United on a free transfer, during the 2003/2004 pre-season. He made his debut as a left wing-back, in a 3-2 win at Southend in the first round of the Carling Cup, on 12th August 2003. Despite some decent performances when he did play, Smith was used sparingly during his first season at the club, making a total of just thirteen appearances, nine as a substitute, and three of his starts coming in cup competitions - Smith was also made captain of the reserve team. After playing as a striker in the LDV Vans Trophy defeat at Boston in October 2003, he didn't start another game until the very end of the season, when, after coming on as a substitute in the first leg, King started Smith on the left side of defence in the second leg of the Play-Off semi final at Brighton. Smith continued in the team for the first game of the following season, but after a 2-1 defeat at Wrexham - a match in which Smith conceded a penalty - he found himself on the substitutes bench, where he stayed for the majority of the first half of the season. Prior to the turn of the year, he had made just one more start in the league, and three more in cup competitions - and his Town career looked doomed when manager Andy King admitted at a Supporters' Trust meeting that Smith would not be offered a contract extension at the end of the season. A sending-off in a disastrous cup defeat at Notts County did nothing to endear Smith to a manager with whom he obviously didn't see eye-to-eye - despite video evidence proving that Smith didn't make any contact with the player, King refused to appeal against the decision. However, after this suspension was served, an New Year injury crisis forced Smith back into the starting line-up, now in a midfield role. This time, Smith was to take his chance with both hands - scoring twice in quick succession in a 2-1 win at play-off chasing Bradford. His performance earned him a run in the first team, and further goals followed - Smith particularly impressed with good set-piece delivery from both corners and free-kicks. Smith ended the season with ten goals to his name - second only to striker Sam Parkin - a player he was also to finish as runner-up to in the player of the year award. By now, with his contract up for renewal, other clubs were interested in securing Smith's services - Bristol City, Rotherham United and Sheffield Wednesday were all rumoured - and King changed his mind, offering him an initial one-year deal. Smith chose to do his contract negotiations through the media, and he originally pledged his future to the club, providing a two year deal was agreed. Eventually, the club claimed they offered a two year deal based on appearances - a claim that was angrily denied by Gordon Smith, Grant's father who acted as his agent - and with no acceptable deal forthcoming, Smith signed a pre-contract agreement with Bristol City, who he joined on a Bosman free transfer in July 2005. PLAYING RECORD:
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date of birth
usual positions central midfield left midfield other positions left wing back centre forward senior career website links |
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SCOTLAND
