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Matt Smith (footballer, born 1989)

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For the English-Australian footballer, see Matt Smith (footballer).

Matt Smith
Personal information
Full name Mathieu James Smith [1]
Date of birth (1989-06-07) 7 June 1989 (age 35)
Place of birth Birmingham, England
Height 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
 Leeds United
Number 20
Youth career
2005–2006 Evesham United
2006–2007 Cheltenham Town
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2010–2011 Redditch United 11 (9)
2010 → Littleton (loan) 3 (9)
2010 Droylsden 2 (2)
2011 Solihull Moors 14 (12)
2011–2013 Oldham Athletic 62 (9)
2012 → Macclesfield Town (loan) 8 (1)
2013– Leeds United 21 (7)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 22:00, 1 January 2014 (UTC)

Mathieu James "Matt" Smith (born 7 June 1989) is an English football player who plays for Leeds United in the Championship as a forward.

Career

Early years

Smith spent a year as a trainee at Cheltenham Town, before being released at the age of 18.[2] He then gained non-league football experience with New Mills, whilst studying at the University of Manchester, doing International Management with American Business Studies. He made his debut for New Mills in the North West Counties Premier League as a sub against Silsden in October 2008. He scored in a 2–0 win. He went on to play a crucial role in the club's amazing 21 game winning run, and scored 13 goals that season including a hattrick against Alsager Town in April 2009. Unfortunately, as he was due to spend a year studying in America, he left the Millers that Summer.

In the 2010–11 season, Smith signed for Redditch United in the Conference North, but initially went on a short-term loan with Littleton in Midland Combination Division One,[3] scoring nine goals in three games.[4] Upon returning to Redditch United, Smith scored five goals in five starts and subsequently moved to Droylsden in September 2010,[5] before returning to Redditch[6] in December. Smith made a final move to Solihull Moors in February 2011,[7] scoring twelve goals in fourteen appearances. He ended the season having scored 23 goals in 27 games in the Conference North, making him one of the league's leading goal scorers.

Oldham Athletic

Smith joined Oldham Athletic in May 2011 after the completion of his university studies, signing a two year contract[8] and made his competitive debut on the first day of the 2011–12 season, starting the Football League match against Sheffield United.[9] He scored his first Oldham goal on 16 August, which won the game against Scunthorpe.[10] Smith scored his second goal for the club with his first touch after coming on as a substitute against Leyton Orient in a 3–1 victory for the Latics.[11] Smith then gained a re-call to Oldham's starting eleven in a league game against Chesterfield on 2 January 2012, scoring a headed goal in the opening half of a game that ended in a 1–1 draw.[12] On 15 March 2012, after only 4 starts in 33 appearances for the Latics, manager Paul Dickov allowed Smith to go on loan to League Two side Macclesfield Town for the remainder of the season.[13]

On 27 January 2013, in Smith's second season at the club, he scored two goals to ensure a 3–2 win over Liverpool in the 4th round of the FA Cup.[14] In the 5th round game played on 16 February 2013, Smith scored against Liverpool's rivals, Everton F.C. in the 95th minute, continuing Oldham's FA Cup campaign with a 5th round replay which was played at Goodison Park on 26 February.[15] In the replay, Oldham were defeated 3–1 with Smith again scoring for Oldham,[16] meaning he finished Oldham's FA Cup campaign with 4 goals from 4 appearances and all goals coming against Premier League opposition. For his performance in the 5th round, Smith was voted as the Player of the 5th Round.[17]

Smith scored three goals in his last three appearances of the season. The first came against Bury at Gigg Lane, a back post header ten minutes from time which sparked jubilant scenes in the sold out away end and relegated Bury after the game ended 1–0. The others came against Yeovil Town and Crawley Town, all of which culminated in wins and ultimately ensured Oldham's survival in League One.[18] Smith won League 1 Player of the Month for April 2013 having scored three vital goals for Latics in five appearances, securing Oldham's survival in the league.[19]

On 23 May 2013, with reported interest from a host of Championship clubs, Smith rejected an improved contract offer from Oldham Athletic. Smith scored 14 goals out of the 75 games he featured in for Oldham, although 54 of these appearances were as a substitute,[20] the majority of which were in the 2011–12 season and early 2012–13 season whilst Paul Dickov was the Latics manager.

Leeds United

On 10 June 2013, Smith agreed a two-year deal with Championship club Leeds United after turning down a new contract with Oldham Athletic.[21] Smith was handed the Number 20 shirt at Leeds for the 2013–14 season.[22]He scored 2 goals, both headers, in his first match for Leeds, a 5–0 friendly win against Farsley A.F.C.[23]

Smith made his Leeds United debut as a substitute in the first game of the season against Brighton & Hove Albion on 3 August, in which he gained an assist for Luke Murphy's 94th minute winner as Leeds earned a 2–1 victory.Cite error: The <ref> tag has too many names (see the help page).

Smith scored his first ever goal for Leeds on 27 August 2013 in Leeds' 3–1 League Cup victory against Doncaster Rovers who were managed by manager Paul Dickov who signed Smith for previous club Oldham Athletic.[24][25] He scored his first league goal for Leeds in a 2–1 defeat at home to Burnley on 21 September 2013.[26] His second and third league goals for Leeds came on his first league start against Birmingham City on 20 October 2013 where Leeds won 4–0. [27]

He followed this up six days later with a second minute goal in Leeds’s 3-2 away defeat in the Championship at Yorkshire rivals Huddersfield Town.[28] Smith didn’t find the back of the net again until the home Championship match with Watford on 7th December 2013, which ended in a 3-3 draw.[29] Smith scored in the 56th minute, in between Danny Pugh and Ross McCormack goals.

Seven days later, Smith opened the scoring in Leeds’ 3 – 0 away Championship win at Doncaster Rovers on 14th December 2013.[30]

He did not find the net again for another four matches, until Leeds’ New Year Day home Championship fixture with Blackburn Rovers on 1st January 2014, a consolation goal on 53 minutes.[31]

On 11th January 2014, Smith was brought on as a substitute at half time in the away Championship local derby against Sheffield Wednesday, which Leeds United was losing 2 – 0. However, in his first challenge after the restart, Smith was adjudged to have gone in dangerously high against Wednesday defender Réda Johnson and awarded a straight red card and dismissed by referee Lee Probert.[32]

Leeds eventually lost the match 6 – 0, which was Wednesday’s biggest local derby victory.[33][34]

International career

In April 2011 Smith was called up for the England C team.[35] Smith is also eligible for both the Scotland and France national teams as his Father Ian was born in Edinburgh and his mother Françoise was born in Paris.[36]

Honours

(Individual):

Personal life

Smith's grandfather, James[disambiguation needed] played league football for St Mirren and Clyde[37] and his father Ian played for Queen's Park, Birmingham City and Hearts. His half-brother, Jean-Francois is an ex-professional basketball player, who played for Hyères-Toulon Var Basket in the French Pro A League.[38]

He completed his A-Levels in Cheltenham's Pate's Grammar School whilst a trainee at Cheltenham Town. In September 2007 he went to Manchester to study for a degree at Manchester Business School, University of Manchester, with a year spent in the United States at Arizona State University. He graduated in the summer of 2011 with an Upper class second in International Management with American Business Studies.[39] Whilst at Manchester he was also captain of the University's men's football team, was called up to the Great Britain squad for the World University Games in China in 2011 and was named the University's Sportsman of the Year.[40]

One of Smith's best friends is English Comedian Jack Whitehall whom he met at university.[41][42]

Career statistics

England
Season Club Loan Division League FA Cup League Cup FL Trophy Play-Offs Total Discipline
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals A yellow card A red card
2013–14 Leeds United Championship 22 7 1 0 3 1 – – – – 25 8 0 0
Leeds United Total 21 7 1 0 3 1 0 0 0 0 25 8 0 0
2012–13 Oldham Athletic League One 34 6 4 4 1 0 1 1 – – 40 11 4 0
2011–12 Macclesfield Town Loan League Two 8 1 0 0 0 0 – – – – 8 1 0 0
2011–12 Oldham Athletic League One 28 3 2 0 1 0 4 0 – – 35 3 1 0
Oldham Athletic Total 62 9 6 4 2 0 5 1 0 0 75 14 5 0
Career Total 91 17 7 4 5 1 5 1 0 0 108 23 5 0
Up to date, as of 5 January 2014.

References

  1. ^ "Search 1837 to 2006 – Birth, Marriage and Death indexes". Findmypast.com. Retrieved 29 July 2011.
  2. ^ "Hard work leads to Latics chance for ex-Robin Smith". This Is Gloucestershire. 30 May 2011. Retrieved 7 August 2011.
  3. ^ "Smith strives for League One bow". Evesham Journal. 4 August 2011. Retrieved 6 August 2011.
  4. ^ "Town striker gets deal at league side". Evesham Journal. 26 May 2011. Retrieved 6 August 2011.
  5. ^ "Redditch United lose striker Matt Smith to Droylsden". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 24 September 2010. Retrieved 6 August 2011.
  6. ^ "Smith boost for Reds". Redditch Advertiser. 10 December 2010. Retrieved 7 August 2011.
  7. ^ "Moors Win the Race for Smith". Football Conference. 6 February 2011. Retrieved 6 August 2011.
  8. ^ "Oldham Athletic capture non league striker Matt Smith". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 23 May 2011. Retrieved 6 August 2011.
  9. ^ "Oldham – Sheffield Utd". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 6 August 2011. Retrieved 6 August 2011.
  10. ^ "Scunthorpe 1–2 Oldham". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 16 August 2011. Retrieved 16 August 2011.
  11. ^ LATICS THE COMEBACK KINGS "Oldham Athletic" 17 September 2011
  12. ^ Oldham Athletic | Match | Report | 2 January 2012, Chesterfield 1 – 1 Oldham "Oldham Athletic" 2 January 2012
  13. ^ SMITH'S LOAN MOVE GOALS "Oldham Athletic" 15 March 2012
  14. ^ Oldham 3–2 Liverpool "BBC Sport" 27 January 2013
  15. ^ Oldham earn £500,000 lifeline in Everton replay "Daily Mail" 16 February 2013
  16. ^ "Everton 3–1 Oldham Athletic". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 26 February 2013. Retrieved 27 February 2013.
  17. ^ Smith is fan's favourite "The FA | The FA Cup" 4 March 2013
  18. ^ Lethal Matt's a real big-hitter "Oldham Chronicle" 25 April 2013
  19. ^ http://www.oldhamathletic.co.uk/news/article/20130517-smithwins-826041.aspx
  20. ^ http://www.oldhamathletic.co.uk/news/article/20130523-smith-832735.aspx
  21. ^ "Leeds United sign Oldham striker Matt Smith". BBC Sport. 10 June 2013. Retrieved 10 June 2013.
  22. ^ "COME AND MEET THE NEW BOYS!!". Leeds United. 3 July 2013. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
  23. ^ "UNITED CRUISE TO FARSLEY WIN" http://www.leedsunited.com/news/20130706/united-cruise-to-farsley-win_2247585_3229418 6 July 2013.
  24. ^ BBC Sport: Doncaster 1–3 Leeds
  25. ^ Dews, Paul (28 August 2013). "THREE AND EASY CUP SUCCESS". LeedsUnited.com. Leeds United Football Club. Retrieved 28 August 2013.
  26. ^ "Leeds 1 – 2 Burnley". BBC Sport. 21 September 2013. Retrieved 21 September 2013.
  27. ^ "Leeds 3 – 0 Birmingham". BBC Sport. 20 October 2013. Retrieved 20 October 2013.
  28. ^ Hay, Phil (28 October 2013). "Wasteful Whites are punished by Stead". Yorkshire Evening Post. Retrieved 28 October 2013. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  29. ^ "Leeds 3 - 3 Watford". BBC Sport. 7 December 2013. Retrieved 7 December 2013.
  30. ^ "Doncaster 0 - 3 Leeds". BBC Sport. 14 December 2013. Retrieved 14 December 2013.
  31. ^ "Leeds 1 – 2 Blackburn". BBC Sport. 1 January 2014. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  32. ^ "Worst defeat in 55 years as Leeds leave Hillsborough humiliated". Scratching Shed. 11 January 2014. Retrieved 11 January 2014.
  33. ^ Dawes, Mike (11 January 2014). "Owls run riot as Smith sees red within 60 seconds of coming off the bench". Mail Online. Retrieved 11 January 2014. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  34. ^ "Sheffield Wednesday 6 – 0 Leeds". BBC Sport. 11 January 2014. Retrieved 11 January 2014.
  35. ^ "Solihull Moors striker Matt Smith named in England squad". Birmingham Mail. 27 April 2011. Retrieved 6 August 2011.
  36. ^ "HIS dad is a proud Scot and his brother plays professional basketball in France but there's no questioning Matt Smith's international loyalties". Birmingham Mail. 30 April 2011. Retrieved 30 April 2011.
  37. ^ "Matt Keeps It In The Family". Oldham Athletic AFC. 23 May 2011. Retrieved 6 August 2011.
  38. ^ "Non-League spotlight: Solihull Moors striker Matt Smith on his England dreams". Birmingham Mail. 30 April 2011. Retrieved 6 August 2011.
  39. ^ "Matt hoping to learn quickly". Oldham Advertiser. 4 August 2011. Retrieved 6 August 2011.
  40. ^ "University footballer gets England call-up". University of Manchester. 10 May 2011. Retrieved 6 August 2011.
  41. ^ "Hero Smith laughs at long last". The Sun+. The Sun+. 28 January 2013. Retrieved 28 January 2013.
  42. ^ "Matt Smith has the last laugh at Oldham". Daily Star. Daily Star. 29 January 2013. Retrieved 29 January 2013.

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