Gary Smith (footballer, born 1984)

Gary Smith

File:Smith, Gary Stephen.jpg Smith in 2011
Personal information
Full name	Gary Stephen Smith
Date of birth	(1984-01-30) 30 January 1984
Place of birth	Middlesbrough, England
Height
Position(s)	Midfielder
Youth career
1999–2003	Middlesbrough
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2003–2004	Middlesbrough	0	(0)
2004	→ Wimbledon (loan)	11	(3)
2004–2007	Milton Keynes Dons	71	(5)
2007–2009	Brentford	33	(1)
2009–2011	Darlington	71	(2)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 21:57, 30 June 2011 (UTC)

Gary Stephen Smith (born 30 January 1984) is a professional footballer who is unattached after he was released by Darlington at the end of the 2010–11 season He has also played for Middlesbrough and Milton Keynes Dons and Brentford where he was released by at the end of an injury struck 2008–09 season. He plays as a midfielder.

Career

Smith was born in Middlesbrough, and began his career as a trainee at Middlesbrough F.C. In a reserve match against Manchester United, a tackle from Smith badly injured promising footballer Ben Collett, ending his career in England. He joined Wimbledon on loan following the club's move to Milton Keynes, making the move permanent in the summer of 2004.

Although suffering from numerous spells out injured, he established himself as a fans' favourite due to his attacking style and flair in midfield. Injury struck again, however, in the derby game at Wycombe Wanderers and even though a hobbling Smith characteristically scored the Dons' winner late on in the game, this proved to be his last game for the club as he was one of a number of players released in May 2007.

After impressing in several games in pre-season whilst on trial at Brentford, Smith was offered and signed a one-year contract at Griffin Park in June 2007. At the start of 2008, this was extended to the end of the 2008–09 season, when he was released from the club.

On 1 July 2009 he signed for League Two side Darlington. Darlington were relegated to the Conference National during the 2009–10 season. In the 2010–11 season, Smith picked up the second significant honour of his career, as Darlington lifted the 2011 FA Trophy. Smith was released by the club in June 2011.

Honours

• Brentford
  • League Two title winner: 2008–09
• Darlington
  • FA Trophy winner: 2010–11

External links

• Gary Smith career statistics at Soccerbase
• MK Dons official club website