Adam Smith (footballer, born February 1985)

This article is about the football forward. For the football defender, see Adam Smith (footballer, born September 1985).
For other people named Adam Smith, see Adam Smith (disambiguation).

Adam Smith

Smith in 2011
Personal information
Full name Nathan Adam Smith[1]
Date of birth (1985-02-20) 20 February 1985[1]
Place of birth Huddersfield, England
Height 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)[2]
Playing position Winger
Club information
Current team
Alfreton Town
Youth career
0000–2001 Chesterfield
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2001–2008 Chesterfield 66 (3)
2008Lincoln City (loan) 4 (0)
2008–2009 Gainsborough Trinity 13 (2)
2008–2009York City (loan) 7 (2)
2009–2010 York City 37 (2)
2010–2012 Mansfield Town 43 (8)
2011Aldershot Town (loan) 6 (0)
2011–2012Aldershot Town (loan) 6 (0)
2012–2013 Lincoln City 30 (1)
2013–2015 FC Halifax Town 80 (4)
2015–2016 Wrexham 12 (1)
2015–2016Guiseley (loan) 8 (0)
2016 Guiseley 10 (1)
2016– Alfreton Town 3 (2)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 17:30, 24 November 2016 (UTC).


Nathan Adam Smith (born 20 February 1985), known as Adam Smith, is an English professional footballer who plays as a winger for National League North club Alfreton Town.

Smith came through the youth ranks at Chesterfield, who had originally spotted him playing local football. He broke into the first team squad in 2001 and made his debut a year later. He was forced to undergo knee surgery in 2005 and has suffered several injuries during his career. He was loaned out to Lincoln City in 2008 and was released by Chesterfield after seven seasons at the club, after which he moved down to play in non-League football with Gainsborough Trinity, York City, Mansfield Town, Lincoln City, FC Halifax Town, Wrexham, Guiseley and Alfreton Town.

Career

Chesterfield

Smith was born in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire and played in the Huddersfield and District Association Football League for Lepton Highlanders.[3] He trialled at Football League clubs Huddersfield Town and Oldham Athletic at the ages of 14 at 15 respectively.[3] While playing for Kirkheaton he was spotted by Chesterfield and was invited for a trial match, and was eventually offered a place on the club' scholarship scheme.[3] He began training with the first team during the 2001–02 season and was first named on the bench for Chesterfield's 1–0 victory over Reading at the Madejski Stadium on 1 December 2001.[3] He made his debut in a Football League Trophy match against Port Vale on 22 November 2002, where he came on as a substitute in the 77th minute, and scored in the penalty shoot-out that was eventually lost 4–3.[3][4] His Football League debut came on 13 September 2003 after coming on as a substitute for the injured Mark DeBolla in the 79th minute of a 1–0 defeat to Notts County.[3][5] He went on to make further appearances that month against Brighton & Hove Albion and Brentford, where he played on the left wing.[3] He was offered a two-year professional contract with Chesterfield in March 2004, effective from 2004–05.[6] His first league start for Chesterfield came in a 1–0 defeat to Hull City on 10 October.[7] He underwent laparoscopic surgery on his knee to repair cartilage damage in February 2005,[8] which was expected to rule him out for six weeks.[9] He made his return on 18 March after coming on as a 60th-minute substitute for Carlos Logan in a 2–2 draw with Brentford.[10] Soon after making his return, he picked up an injury to his left ankle, which was sustained during Chesterfield's 3–2 defeat to Bournemouth.[11] This ruled him out for the rest of the season,[11] which he finished with 19 appearances.[12]

He was fit for the start of 2005–06 and set up two of Chesterfield's goals in the 3–1 opening day victory over Blackpool.[13] He went on to score his first goals for Chesterfield with a brace after coming on as a half-time substitute against Yeovil Town;[14] he scored from a pass from Paul Hall after Yeovil goalkeeper Chris Weale was left stranded after being lobbed, and then scored his second after gaining the ball from Mark Allott, which helped his side to a 3–1 victory.[15] An 89th-minute goal from Smith against Bradford City on 7 January 2006 saw his side earn a 1–0 victory.[16] He agreed to a new two-year contract at Chesterfield in March and finished 2005–06 with 29 appearances and scoring three goals.[17][18] His recurring knee injury was confirmed to be severe patella tendinitis, which resulted in him being unfit for the start of 2006–07.[19] He made his return to action in a friendly against Staveley Miners Welfare in August and made his first league appearance of the season in a 4–0 defeat to Nottingham Forest on 2 September 2006 after coming on as a 63rd-minute substitute.[20][21] He scored the winner for Chesterfield in the Football League Trophy against Oldham Athletic with a diagonal shot from distance.[22] Smith suffered from a knee injury in March 2007, which resulted in him undergoing surgery that ruled him out for the remainder of the 2006–07 season;[23] in which he made 17 appearances and scored one goal, while Chesterfield were relegated to League Two.[24] His severe tendinitis affected him in September,[25] and eventually made his return in a 2–1 defeat to Tranmere Rovers in the FA Cup first round on 10 November.[26] He was sent out on loan at League Two side Lincoln City for a month on 4 January 2008 and made his debut for the team a day later, helping set up the first goal in a 2–0 victory over Rochdale, after Jamie Forrester scored from goalkeeper Sam Russell's parry of a Smith effort.[27][28] He made four appearances during his stay at Lincoln, all as a substitute,[29] which was concluded after Lincoln decided against extending his loan at the club.[30]

Gainsborough Trinity and York City

Smith playing for York City in 2009

Smith was released by Chesterfield after he was not offered a new contract at the end of 2007–08.[31] He trialled with Darlington of League Two, but was told by manager Dave Penney he was not what they were looking for.[32] He then had a trial with newly relegated Conference Premier side Wrexham and eventually signed a contract with Gainsborough Trinity of the Conference North in late August.[33] Smith made a goalscoring debut for Gainsborough with the side's goal in a 1–1 draw at home to Vauxhall Motors on 30 August.[34] He joined York City in the Conference Premier on loan on 27 November, becoming Martin Foyle's first signing as manager,[35] in a deal that would expire on 6 January 2009.[36] Smith made his debut after coming on as a 63rd-minute substitute for Craig Farrell in a 1–1 draw with Salisbury City.[37][38] His first goal came after scoring the opener for York with a close range finish in a 3–1 victory over Ebbsfleet United.[37][39] Following this, Foyle stated his intention of extending Smith's loan at York.[40] Smith said he was looking to join the club on a permanent contract and that Gainsborough manager Steve Charles would allow him to leave for a club in a higher division on a free transfer.[41] However, a move to York stalled in January as Gainsborough were holding out for a fee,[42] although Foyle refused to pay this.[43] York eventually made an offer of a quarter of Gainsborough's asking price, which was rejected.[44]

He signed for York permanently on 26 January for an undisclosed fee on a contract until the end of 2009–10 season.[45][46] His first appearance after returning came as a 74th-minute substitute in a 1–1 draw against Altrincham on 27 January.[37][47] A bruised foot picked up in a reserve team match meant he was unable to play for York against Grays Athletic in April.[48] He was forced into missing some matches towards the end of 2008–09 due to concerns over his baby daughter,[49] which he finished with 17 appearances and two goals for York.[37] Smith made his first appearance of 2009–10 after being introduced as an 86th-minute substitute against Rushden & Diamonds on 11 August, the second game of the season, which finished as a 0–0 draw.[50] In the following game, he came on in the 87th minute and played as a striker,[51] scoring York's second goal in a 2–0 victory over Forest Green Rovers.[52] Soon after this match, he suffered from sciatica during a training session.[53] He featured as a substitute in York's play-off semi-final first leg victory over Luton Town, which finished 1–0, with the tie ending 2–0 on aggregate.[54][55] After finishing the season with 34 appearances and two goals for York[56] he entered negotiations with the club over a new contract.[57]

Mansfield Town

He eventually turned down talks with York and agreed to sign a one-year contract with fellow Conference team Mansfield Town on 19 May.[58] On signing, Smith said "It was time for a change after not getting as much football as I would have liked. I'm still young, Mansfield are going in the right direction and I'm excited about the new season".[59] He made his debut in the opening match of 2010–11, a 3–1 victory over Forest Green, and was substituted in the 80th minute.[60] Smith scored his first goal for Mansfield in a 4–0 victory over Altrincham on 30 August.[61] A red card in the 61st minute of a 1–0 defeat at Gateshead on 2 October for a high challenge resulted in a three match suspension.[62][63] He finished the season with 38 appearances and six goals.[64]

Having been restricted to three appearances as a substitute for Mansfield in 2011–12, Smith joined League Two side Aldershot Town on a one-month loan on 7 October 2011.[65] He returned to Mansfield on 10 November to receive treatment for a slight back strain,[66] before re-signing for Aldershot on loan until 7 January 2012 on 23 November.[67]

Lincoln City

Smith signed for Conference rivals Lincoln City on a one-year contract on 21 June 2012.[68] He made his debut after starting Lincoln's 1–0 victory over Kidderminster Harriers on 11 August 2012, which was the team's opening match of 2012–13.[64] He finished the season with 37 appearances and two goals.[64]

FC Halifax Town

Smith joined newly promoted Conference club FC Halifax Town on 2 July 2013,[69] making his debut in their 5–1 defeat away to Cambridge United in the opening match of 2013–14 on 11 August.[64]

Wrexham

Smith signed for Halifax's National League rivals Wrexham on 18 June 2015.[70] On 5 November 2015, he joined their divisional rivals Guiseley on loan until January 2016.[71] Smith made a positive impact in eight appearances while on loan, which led to Guiseley signing him permanently on 5 January 2016.[72]

Guiseley and Alfreton Town

Smith's time at Guiseley was short-lived and he signed with Alfreton Town on 5 October 2016.[73] Making his debut in a National League North match away to F.C. United of Manchester, Smith scored two goals in a 4–3 defeat.[74]

Style of play

Smith is a right winger who has also played on the left, although in this position his crossing ability is reduced.[1][75] He has been described as a "flying winger",[76] whose play is "raiding" and "foraging".[77][78] He is also capable of playing as a striker.[79]

Personal life

Smith grew up as a supporter of hometown club Huddersfield Town and Manchester United.[3] After leaving Chesterfield, he started studying a course in sports massage therapy.[41]

Career statistics

As of match played 19 November 2016
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Chesterfield 2001–02[80] Second Division 0000000000
2002–03[81] Second Division 0000001[lower-alpha 1]010
2003–04[82] Second Division 3000000030
2004–05[12] League One 16010101[lower-alpha 1]0190
2005–06[18] League One 26310101[lower-alpha 1]0293
2006–07[24] League One 13010102[lower-alpha 1]1171
2007–08[83] League Two 80101000100
Total 663404051794
Lincoln City (loan) 2007–08[29] League Two 4040
Gainsborough Trinity 2008–09[34] Conference North 132102[lower-alpha 2]1163
York City 2008–09[37] Conference Premier 172172
2009–10[56] Conference Premier 272205[lower-alpha 3]0342
Total 4442050514
Mansfield Town 2010–11[64] Conference Premier 316205[lower-alpha 4]0386
2011–12[64] Conference Premier 122122
Total 4382050508
Aldershot Town (loan) 2011–12[84] League Two 1201010140
Lincoln City 2012–13[64] Conference Premier 301611[lower-alpha 4]0372
FC Halifax Town 2013–14[64] Conference Premier 403103[lower-alpha 5]0443
2014–15[64] Conference Premier 401323[lower-alpha 4]0463
Total 8044260906
Wrexham 2015–16[64] National League 12100121
Guiseley 2015–16[64] National League 1101[lower-alpha 4]0120
2016–17[64] National League 7171
Total 18110191
Alfreton Town 2016–17[64] National League North 32300062
Career total 325252335025237830
  1. 1 2 3 4 Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy
  2. One appearance and one goal in Conference League Cup, one appearance in FA Trophy
  3. Four appearances in FA Trophy, one in Conference Premier play-offs
  4. 1 2 3 4 Appearance(s) in FA Trophy
  5. One appearance in FA Trophy, two in Conference Premier play-offs

References

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