Tommy Smith (footballer, born 1980)
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Thomas William Smith | ||
Date of birth | 22 May 1980 | ||
Place of birth | Hemel Hempstead, England | ||
Height | 1.79 m (5 ft 10 in)[1] | ||
Position(s) |
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
Smith started his career at
Early and personal life
Smith was born in
Smith attended Hemel Hempstead school between 1991 and 1997.
Club career
Watford
As a boy Smith trained with
Although Watford were relegated in 1999–2000, Smith remained at the club, playing under
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.
Derby County
Smith made his Derby debut in a league game against
Return to Watford
Smith scored his first league goal of his second spell at Watford on 26 December 2006, against
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.
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
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
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 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 2 | 0 | |
1998–99 | First Division | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 2 | |
1999–2000 | Premier League | 22 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 23 | 2 | ||
2000–01 | First Division | 43 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | — | 48 | 12 | ||
2001–02 | First Division | 40 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | — | 45 | 11 | ||
2002–03 | First Division | 35 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 0 | — | 41 | 9 | ||
Total | 149 | 33 | 8 | 2 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 167 | 36 | ||
Sunderland | 2003–04 | First Division | 35 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 41 | 8 |
Derby County | 2004–05 | Championship[a] | 42 | 11 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 47 | 11 |
2005–06 | Championship | 43 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — | 46 | 9 | ||
2006–07 | Championship | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | |
Total | 90 | 20 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 99 | 21 | ||
Watford | 2006–07 | Premier League | 32 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | 37 | 2 | |
2007–08 | Championship | 44 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 48 | 7 | |
2008–09 | Championship | 44 | 17 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | 49 | 17 | ||
2009–10 | Championship | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 5 | 2 | ||
Total | 124 | 27 | 9 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 139 | 29 | ||
Portsmouth | 2009–10 | Premier League | 16 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 18 | 1 | |
2010–11 | Championship | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 4 | 0 | ||
Total | 19 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 22 | 1 | |||
Queens Park Rangers | 2010–11 | Championship | 33 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 33 | 6 | |
2011–12 | Premier League | 17 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 20 | 2 | ||
Total | 50 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 53 | 8 | |||
Cardiff City | 2012–13 | Championship | 24 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 24 | 1 | |
2013–14 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 3 | 0 | ||
Total | 24 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 27 | 1 | |||
Brentford | 2014–15 | Championship | 28 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 31 | 1 | |
Career total | 519 | 95 | 33 | 8 | 21 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 579 | 104 |
- ^ The First Division was renamed as the Championship for the start of the 2004–05 season.
Honours
Queens Park Rangers
Cardiff City
References
- ^ "Premier League Player Profile Tommy Smith". web page. Premier League. Retrieved 18 June 2012.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Tommy Smith". Watford legends. Archived from the original on 15 December 2009. Retrieved 2 January 2010.
- ESPNsoccernet. ESPN. Retrieved 26 October 2009.
- ^ a b c "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.
- Hemel Hempstead Gazette. Johnston Press. 31 August 2006. Archived from the originalon 5 November 2012. Retrieved 28 February 2011.
- ^ a b c Charles Collins (17 December 2004). "Player profile:Tommy Smith". BBC. Retrieved 2 January 2010.
- ^ Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 October 2009.
- ^ "Games played by Tommy Smith in 1999/2000". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 October 2009.
- ^ Richard Williams (1 September 2000). "Joe Cole fires young England". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 28 October 2009.
- ^ "Watford stun Sunderland". BBC Sport. 18 February 2003. Retrieved 26 October 2009.
- ^ "Burnley stung by Hornets". BBC Sport. 9 March 2003. Retrieved 26 October 2009.
- ^ a b Louise Taylor (8 March 2004). "Specialist Smith lights up Wearside". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 26 October 2009.
- ^ "Ups and downs". BBC Sport. 31 May 2004. Retrieved 27 October 2009.
- ^ "Sunderland 0–1 Millwall". BBC Sport. 4 April 2004. Retrieved 26 October 2009.
- ^ "Rams swoop for Tommy Smith". Derby County Football Club. 17 November 2004. Archived from the original on 2 April 2012. Retrieved 4 January 2010.
- Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 January 2010.
- ^ "Derby 0–0 Preston (agg 0–2)". BBC Sport. 19 May 2005. Retrieved 17 January 2010.
- ^ "Stamp of approval". Derby County Football Club. 8 May 2005. Archived from the original on 2 April 2012. Retrieved 17 January 2010.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Derby striker returns to Watford". BBC Sport. 30 August 2006. Retrieved 26 October 2009.
- ^ "Watford 1–2 Arsenal". BBC Sport. 26 December 2006. Retrieved 27 October 2009.
- ^ "Watford 1–4 Manchester United". BBC Sport. 14 April 2007. Retrieved 27 October 2009.
- ^ "Unanimous choice for Player of the Season". Watford Observer. 4 May 2007. Archived from the original on 24 February 2012. Retrieved 3 January 2010.
- Watford Football Club. 10 October 2013. Archived from the originalon 19 July 2011. Retrieved 3 January 2010.
- Watford Football Club. 10 October 2013. Archived from the originalon 27 March 2012. Retrieved 3 January 2010.
- ^ "Blackpool 1–1 Watford". BBC Sport. 4 May 2008. Retrieved 4 January 2010.
- ^ Phil McNulty (14 May 2008). "Hull 4–1 Watford (agg 6–1)". BBC Sport. Retrieved 11 January 2010.
- Watford Football Club. 10 October 2013. Archived from the originalon 5 October 2011. Retrieved 26 October 2009.
- Watford Football Club. 10 October 2013. Archived from the originalon 12 March 2012. Retrieved 27 October 2009.
- ^ "Watford accept Portsmouth offer for Tommy Smith to scupper Reading". The Guardian. London. 25 August 2009. Retrieved 4 January 2010.
- ^ "Sheff Utd 2–0 Watford". BBC Sport. 15 August 2009. Retrieved 4 January 2010.
- ^ Bryant, Tom (27 August 2009). "Watford's Tommy Smith joins Portsmouth on four-year deal". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 26 October 2009.
- ^ "Portsmouth 0–1 Man City". BBC Sport. 30 August 2009. Retrieved 4 January 2010.
- ^ Szczepanik, Nick (1 January 2010). "Portsmouth fail to pay wages again". The Times. London. Retrieved 4 January 2010.
- ^ Szczepanik, Nick (2 January 2010). "Portsmouth hampered by two-team rule". The Times. London. Retrieved 2 January 2010.
- ^ "Portsmouth 3–2 Hull". BBC. 20 March 2010. Retrieved 20 March 2010.
- ^ "Chelsea 1 - 0 Portsmouth". BBC. 15 May 2010. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
- ^ "Portsmouth win High Court fight against tax authorities". BBC Sport. 5 August 2010. Retrieved 7 August 2010.
- ^ "Portsmouth–Coventry". BBC Sport. 7 August 2010. Retrieved 7 August 2010.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "QPR 3–1 Reading". BBC. 6 November 2010. Retrieved 7 November 2010.
- ^ "Portsmouth 1–1 QPR". BBC. 9 November 2010. Retrieved 10 November 2010.
- ^ "Tommy Smith to City". Cardiff City. 24 August 2012. Archived from the original on 26 August 2012. Retrieved 10 October 2013.
- ^ "Bristol City 4–2 Cardiff". BBC Sport. 25 August 2012. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
- ^ "Cardiff City boss Malky Mackay targets left-back and striker in window". South Wales Echo. 21 December 2012. Retrieved 12 December 2012.
- ^ "Blackpool 1–2 Cardiff City". BBC Sport. 19 January 2013. Retrieved 19 January 2013.
- ^ Tommy Smith | Football Stats | No Club | Age 35 | 1997-2015 | Soccer Base
- ^ Striker Tommy Smith at Brentford on trial
- ^ "Tommy Smith: Brentford sign former QPR and Cardiff forward". BBC Sport. 7 August 2014. Retrieved 7 August 2014.
- ^ Jeremy Alexander (3 September 2007). "Boothroyd a confounded nuisance for purists". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 17 January 2010.
- ^ 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.
- Portsmouth Football Club. 29 August 2009. Archived from the originalon 28 July 2011. Retrieved 17 January 2010.
External links
- Tommy Smith at Soccerbase