Alan Smith

Personal information
Date of birth	October 28, 1980 (1980-10-28) (age 26)
Place of birth	Rothwell, Leeds, England
Height	1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Playing position	Midfielder, Striker
Club information
Current club	Newcastle United
Number	17
Youth clubs
1997-1998	Leeds United
Senior clubs1
Years	Club	App (Gls)*
1998-2004 2004-2007 2007-	Leeds United Manchester United Newcastle United	172 (38) 061 0(7) 004 0(0)
National team2
2001- 2007-	England England B	019 0(1) 001 0(1)
1 Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 23:56, 1 September 2007 (UTC). 2 National team caps and goals correct as of 20:49, 26 August 2007 (UTC). * Appearances (Goals)

Alan Smith (born 28 October 1980 in Rothwell, Leeds, West Yorkshire) is an English professional football player. He has played centre-forward for most of his career, having started at Leeds United, transferring to Manchester United before moving to Newcastle United in August 2007.

Career

Leeds United

His senior Premiership debut was as a substitute for Leeds vs. Liverpool at Anfield, where he displayed his natural scoring ability by scoring with his first touch of the ball. That goal helped propel him into the 1998-99 season, as he was one-half of manager David O'Leary's first-choice striker pairing, along with Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.

Smith continued his run through the Leeds side, as the club began to grow in stature. Smith showed his class in 2001 while helping to lead the Leeds side through the much vaunted Champions League, though his experience ended on a sour note as he was sent off in the semi-final. The following season saw Smith switched to the midfield, his versatility being utilised by O'Leary, as the Leeds Utd manager tried to accommodate new signings. 2001 was also the year for Smith's break into the England squad. An England youth international at multiple levels, Smith made his senior England debut in May 2001. He did not make the final cut for the 2002 FIFA World Cup, and accepted a position with the England Under-21 side.

A hometown hero for supporters of Leeds United, Smith won the "Supporter's Player of the Year" award two years running between 2003 and 2004 - a first in Leeds' history. Though his goal tally was not excellent by any means, his willingness to play any role on the pitch and his tireless efforts to save "The Whites" from relegation was greatly appreciated by the Leeds fans.

When Leeds were relegated in May 2004, Smith ended his Leeds career by kissing the badge and crying at his last match. His transfer to bitter rivals Manchester United, however, led to controversy and his exit was marred by accusations of treachery going from hero to villain in the eyes of some Leeds fans in the space of a day; this was despite the fact that club had publically stated that they could not afford to pay his wages, that they were open to offers for him, and that no other club had registered an interest. Due to Leeds financial difficulties, Smith chose to waive his personal transfer fee owed to him by the club. However, some Leeds fans held up banners in the following games, which proclaimed Alan Smith as "Judas", to reflect how they felt he had betrayed them.

Manchester United

Smith started the second chapter of his career on August 8, 2004 at the Community Shield clash against Arsenal, netting for the "Red Devils" with a swerving volley in the 55th minute. Man Utd went on to lose the game 3-1. Smith has impressed at Old Trafford since his arrival, with several prominent former players hailing him as something akin to the next Mark Hughes.^{[citation needed]} Despite only being at the club for a few months, he developed a fearsome reputation for both long-ranged strikes such as his strikes against Arsenal and Norwich City, and more intelligent, "poacher"-type goals, akin to those crafted by Ruud van Nistelrooy, such as the double against Dinamo Bucureşti in the UEFA Champions League.

An injury hampered his first season, causing him to miss out on several matches including the Carling Cup semi-final against Chelsea. He missed out in the FA Cup final against Arsenal at the Millennium Stadium as Manchester United lost out to penalties in the game. As the 2004-05 season ended rumours were rife about Smith's future, despite Smith saying he wanted to continue at United for his entire career. The forward scored 10 goals in his first season at Old Trafford. However, with Wayne Rooney in sparkling form and Ruud van Nistelrooy back in the team after injury, Smith was relegated to the bench. However, he remained a fans' favourite.

In the summer of 2005 it emerged that Manchester United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, was grooming Smith as a successor to Roy Keane in the Manchester United midfield. Ferguson stated, "Roy sees characteristics in Alan that he saw in himself as a young player, which could help Alan develop into a very good player in that position." Smith got his chance to prove his credentials as a replacement for Keane when the United skipper was injured early on in the 2005-06 season. Smith began a prolonged run in the midfield 'anchor' role, with little effectiveness. However, as United began to stutter in the absence of several senior players, the midfield came under heavy flak from fans and it was questioned whether Smith was cut out for the vital midfield role he was being asked to play. These criticisms aimed at Smith and his team-mates reached its nadir with United's embarrassing 4-1 capitulation away to Middlesbrough and the subsequent 1-0 defeat to Lille OSC in the Champions League. Smith was believed to be one of several United stars who were heavily criticised by Roy Keane in an MUTV interview that was thought too explosive to be aired and consigned to the cutting room floor by club officials. It seemed that Smith's performance in the crucial home match against league leaders Chelsea would be meticulously scrutinised in the light of Keane's damning words. Smith responded in determined fashion, giving a much better performance as his side won 1-0.

Smith cemented his place in the hearts of Manchester United fans when he turned down the honourable chance of playing for his country, in order to work on his fitness in his new midfield role, in the reserve squad. Here, the fans got another glimpse of his commitment to the club, which is regarded almost as highly as anything else amongst supporters.

He had only one goal in the 2005-2006 season, that came in a 3-1 away win over Charlton Athletic at The Valley. On February 18, during a 1-0 defeat by Liverpool at Anfield in the FA Cup, Smith broke his leg and dislocated his ankle while attempting to block a free-kick from Liverpool's John Arne Riise, an injury described by Sir Alex Ferguson as "one of the worst I've seen". Despite the rivalry between the two clubs, he was given an ovation by many of the Liverpool fans as he was stretchered off the pitch. A number of Liverpool fans attacked the ambulance during its departure from the scene, something which was widely condemned. In response to this injury, some Leeds United fans at the Leeds United vs Leicester City match which took place on the same day sang ridiculing and derogatory remarks about Smith. On the next day it was confirmed that Smith would miss action for at least 12 months. Although in May, after a successful operation on his ankle, it was reported that he would likely be back in action as soon as mid-September; he had been recovering alongside Wayne Rooney for several weeks, who was also reported to be making a "miraculous" recovery on a broken foot. "I felt my leg go from under me as I went to block a free-kick", Smith told The Sun. "When I looked down, the leg was lying one way and my ankle was pointing towards Hong Kong so I knew I was in serious trouble." There was however, a small consolation for Smith and his club when United beat Wigan Athletic 4-0 in the Carling cup final of the same season. After the match United players paid tribute to Smith by wearing T-shirts emblazoned with "For you Smudge" (his nickname), in homage to Smith and his horrific injury.

Alan Smith at Manchester United's training ground in 2006.

In the build up to the 2006-07 season Sir Alex Ferguson was quoted saying that he planned to replace the departing Ruud van Nistelrooy by returning Smith to his natural position on centre-forward; "We are going to convert Alan Smith back into being a forward. He will be back in training soon and should be available by the end of August or the beginning of September."

On 26 September 2006 Smith made a return to action as a substitute in the 85th minute of the 1-0 Champions League victory over S.L. Benfica at the Estadio da Luz, immediately showing the passion he still has for the game by making a couple of crunching tackles in the 5 minute cameo appearance.

On 10 November 2006, Leeds United boss Dennis Wise revealed he was interested in bringing Smith back to Elland Road on loan. Ferguson told the press that Cardiff City were also interested and he would let Smith go out on a short-term loan for Smith to regain his fitness. There had also been reported interest from other Premiership and Championship clubs, with Newcastle United and Aston Villa seemingly keen on the player. This, however, proved to be untrue for Smith, through his agent, Alex Black, publicly announced his wish to remain at Manchester United, and his will to solidify his place in Sir Alex Ferguson's first team. Sir Alex Ferguson himself voiced his desire to have Smith back at top fitness, stating that he was undergoing special training in order to aid and speed his recovery. On Friday 22 December 2006, reports suggested Smith may be the subject of a £6 million pound transfer to Everton, however, this was quickly denied by manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who also revealed Smith's fitness had greatly improved.

Smith made his comeback for United in a 2006-07 UEFA Champions League first knockout round win against Lille OSC. He made his first start at Old Trafford since his injury on March 19, 2007 in an FA Cup quarter-final replay win against Middlesbrough. His 70 minute run-out will be a relief for Ferguson, who has Louis Saha and Ole Gunnar Solskjær on the treatment table and has seen Henrik Larsson return to Helsingborg. He also made a substitute appearance in the Premier League game against Bolton Wanderers and set up the 4th goal in United's 4-1 win.

Since then he played in United's 7-1 demolition of AS Roma in which he played a vital part in the game scoring a goal; his first for 18 months. Smith also continued to gain Sir Alex's trust by gaining a place in the starting line up against Manchester City on 5 May 2007. United won the game 1-0 and were Premiership Champions a day later when Chelsea were held to a 1-1 draw the Emirates Stadium against Arsenal.

Despite falling one game short of the ten appearances needed to qualify for a Premiership winners medal, the Premier League granted special dispensation for Smith to receive a medal on the last day of the season. This medal was followed a week later with an FA Cup runners-up medal after the 1-0 defeat to Chelsea in the first FA Cup Final at the new Wembley. Smith wore the number 14 shirt for United.

After a prolonged absence from the international scene Smith was called up for a England "B" match on 26 May against Albania. He scored the first goal of the game which ended in a 3-1 win for England B. The next day he was named in the senior England team to face Brazil on June 1, 2007.

[edit] Newcastle United

On 2 August 2007, Newcastle United confirmed they have agreed a fee with Manchester United of around £6m for Smith. The deal was confirmed on August 3, with Smith moving on a five-year contract. He scored the winning goal on his debut appearance for the Magpies, in a 1-0 victory in a friendly against Sampdoria.

Career statistics

Club Performance^[11][12]

Club	Season	Premiership			FA Cup		League Cup		Europe		Others		Total
		App	Goals	Assists	App	Goals	App	Goals	App	Goals	App	Goals	App	Goals
Newcastle United	2007-08	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	Subtotal	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Manchester United	2006-07	9	0	1	3	0	2	0	4	1	0	0	18	1
	2005-06	21	1	2	2	0	2	0	8	0	0	0	33	1
	2004-05	31	6	4	3	0	2	1	5	2	2	1	43	10
	Subtotal	61	7	7	8	0	6	1	17	3	2	1	94	12
Leeds United	2003-04	34	9	2	1	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	39	9
	2002-03	33	3	5	4	1	0	0	6	5	0	0	44	10
	2001-02	22	4	0	1	0	2	0	5	1	0	0	30	5
	2000-01	33	11	0	2	0	1	0	16	7	0	0	52	18
	1999-00	26	4	0	3	1	0	1	8	1	0	0	38	6
	1998-99	22	7	0	4	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	26	9
	Subtotal	170	38	7	15	4	5	1	35	14	0	0	225	57
Grand total		231	45	14	23	4	11	2	52	17	2	1	319	70

(Statistics correct as of August 22, 2007)

International Appearances

National Team	Year	Total
		Apps	Goals
England	2007-08	1	0
	2004-05	3	0
	2003-04	7	0
	2001-02	3	1
	2000-01	3	0
	Total	17	1
England B	2006-07	2	1
	Total	2	1

(Statistics correct as of August 23, 2007)

Honours

With Man United:

• Premier League: 2007 (Special application)

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