Matt Smith (footballer born 1989)
Encyclopedia
Mathieu James Smith is an English professional football player who plays for English League One club Oldham Athletic
.
, before being released at the age of 18. He then gained non-league football experience with New Mills
and Stourport Swifts
whilst at university in Manchester. In the 2010-11 season, Smith signed for Redditch United
in the Blue Square North, but initially went on a short-term loan with Littleton in Midland Combination Division One, scoring nine goals in three games. Upon returning to Redditch United
, Smith scored five goals in five starts and subsequently moved to Droylsden
in September 2010, before returning on loan to Redditch in December. Smith made a final move to Solihull Moors
in February 2011, scoring twelve goals in fourteen appearances. He ended the season having scored 23 goals in 27 games in the Blue Square North, making him one of the league's leading goal scorers.
in May 2011 after the completion of his university studies, signing a two year contract and made his competitive debut on the first day of the 2011-12 season, starting the Football League match against Sheffield United
. He scored his first Oldham goal on 16 August, which won the game against Scunthorpe. 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.
played league football for St Mirren and Clyde and his father Ian played for Queen’s Park, Birmingham City and Hearts. His half-brother, Jean-Francois is a professional basketball player in France.
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 a Upper class second in International Management with American Business Studies. 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.
Oldham Athletic A.F.C.
Oldham Athletic Association Football Club is an English association football club based at Boundary Park, on Sheepfoot Lane in Oldham, Greater Manchester. The club currently competes in the Football League One, the third tier of the English league...
.
Early years
Smith spent a year as a trainee at Cheltenham TownCheltenham Town F.C.
Cheltenham Town Football Club is an English football club playing in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. Founded in 1887, the team has played at four different grounds, namely Agg-Gardner's Recreation Ground, Carter's Field and now the Abbey Business Stadium, although it is more...
, before being released at the age of 18. He then gained non-league football experience with New Mills
New Mills A.F.C.
New Mills Association Football Club are an English football club based in New Mills, Derbyshire. They currently play in Northern Premier League Division One South.-History:...
and Stourport Swifts
Stourport Swifts F.C.
Stourport Swifts are a football team from Stourport-on-Severn, Worcestershire and one of the oldest non-league teams in the country. The Swifts gained promotion to the Southern League Division One West in 2001 from the Midland Alliance, and currently play at Walshes Meadow in the town.In the year...
whilst at university in Manchester. In the 2010-11 season, Smith signed for Redditch United
Redditch United F.C.
Redditch United F.C. is an English football club based in Redditch, Worcestershire. The club are currently members of the Southern League Premier Division and play at the Valley.-Birmingham Combination:...
in the Blue Square North, but initially went on a short-term loan with Littleton in Midland Combination Division One, scoring nine goals in three games. Upon returning to Redditch United
Redditch United F.C.
Redditch United F.C. is an English football club based in Redditch, Worcestershire. The club are currently members of the Southern League Premier Division and play at the Valley.-Birmingham Combination:...
, Smith scored five goals in five starts and subsequently moved to Droylsden
Droylsden F.C.
Droylsden F.C. is an English football club based in Droylsden, near Manchester. As of the 2011–12 season, they play in the Conference North.-History:...
in September 2010, before returning on loan to Redditch in December. Smith made a final move to Solihull Moors
Solihull Moors F.C.
Solihull Moors F.C. is an English football club, founded in 2007 by the merger of Moor Green and Solihull Borough.The club plays its games at Damson Park, Solihull and competes in the Conference North.-History:...
in February 2011, scoring twelve goals in fourteen appearances. He ended the season having scored 23 goals in 27 games in the Blue Square North, making him one of the league's leading goal scorers.
Oldham Athletic
Smith joined Oldham AthleticOldham Athletic A.F.C.
Oldham Athletic Association Football Club is an English association football club based at Boundary Park, on Sheepfoot Lane in Oldham, Greater Manchester. The club currently competes in the Football League One, the third tier of the English league...
in May 2011 after the completion of his university studies, signing a two year contract and made his competitive debut on the first day of the 2011-12 season, starting the Football League match against Sheffield United
Sheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
. He scored his first Oldham goal on 16 August, which won the game against Scunthorpe. Smith scored his second goal for the club with his first touch after coming on as a substitute against Leyton Orient
Leyton Orient F.C.
Leyton Orient F.C. are an English professional football club in East London. They currently play in Football League One and are known to their fans as the O's.Leyton Orient have spent one season in the top flight of English football, in 1962–63...
in a 3-1 victory for the Latics.
Personal life
Smith's grandfather, JamesJimmy Smith
Jimmy Smith may refer to:* Jimmy Smith , American football player* Jimmy Smith , former NFL player with the Jacksonville Jaguars...
played league football for St Mirren and Clyde and his father Ian played for Queen’s Park, Birmingham City and Hearts. His half-brother, Jean-Francois is a professional basketball player in France.
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
Manchester Business School
Manchester Business School is the largest department of the University of Manchester in Manchester, England. According to Bloomberg Business Week's ranking of the world's best business schools the MBS MBA is ranked third in the world...
, University of Manchester
University of Manchester
The University of Manchester is a public research university located in Manchester, United Kingdom. It is a "red brick" university and a member of the Russell Group of research-intensive British universities and the N8 Group...
, with a year spent in the United States at Arizona State University
Arizona State University
Arizona State University is a public research university located in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area of the State of Arizona...
. He graduated in the summer of 2011 with a Upper class second in International Management with American Business Studies. 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.
Career statistics
| Club | Season | League | Cup | League Cup | Europe | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Oldham Athletic | 2011–12 2011–12 Oldham Athletic A.F.C. season The 2011–12 season is Oldham Athletics 14th consecutive season in the third tier of the English football league system. The team is managed by Paul Dickov and captained by Dean Furman following the departure of the previous captain, Reuben Hazell's after the 2010-11 season.As well as Hazell's... |
9 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 2 |
| Career total | 9 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 2 | |
- Up to date, as of 27 August 2011.