Amari Morgan-Smith Explained

Amari Morgan-Smith
Fullname:Amari Aaron Morgan-Smith[1]
Birth Date:3 April 1989
Birth Place:Wolverhampton, England
Position:Forward
Currentclub:Kidderminster Harriers
Clubnumber:9
Youthyears1:–2007
Youthclubs1:Crewe Alexandra
Years1:2007
Clubs1:Crewe Alexandra
Caps1:0
Goals1:0
Years2:2007
Clubs2:Alsager Town (loan)
Years3:2007–2008
Clubs3:Stockport County
Caps3:1
Goals3:0
Years4:2008–2010
Clubs4:Ilkeston Town
Caps4:39
Goals4:18
Years5:2010–2012
Clubs5:Luton Town
Caps5:37
Goals5:14
Years6:2012–2013
Clubs6:Macclesfield Town
Caps6:24
Goals6:4
Years7:2013
Clubs7:Kidderminster Harriers (loan)
Caps7:5
Goals7:1
Years8:2013–2014
Clubs8:Kidderminster Harriers
Caps8:37
Goals8:9
Years9:2014–2015
Clubs9:Oldham Athletic
Caps9:13
Goals9:2
Years10:2015–2017
Clubs10:Cheltenham Town
Caps10:44
Goals10:5
Years11:2017
Clubs11:York City (loan)
Caps11:18
Goals11:4
Years12:2017–2018
Clubs12:York City
Caps12:28
Goals12:4
Years13:2018–2019
Clubs13:Telford United
Caps13:50
Goals13:11
Years14:2019–2020
Clubs14:Alfreton Town
Caps14:16
Goals14:12
Years15:2020–
Clubs15:Kidderminster Harriers
Caps15:132
Goals15:33
Nationalyears1:2010–2011
Nationalteam1:England C
Nationalcaps1:2
Nationalgoals1:0
Club-Update:17:46, 6 June 2024 (UTC)

Amari Aaron Morgan-Smith (born 3 April 1989) is an English professional footballer who plays as a striker for club Kidderminster Harriers. He has previously played for Crewe Alexandra, Alsager Town, Stockport County, Ilkeston Town, Luton Town, Macclesfield Town, Kidderminster Harriers, Oldham Athletic, Cheltenham Town and York City.

Club career

Early career

Born in Wolverhampton, West Midlands,[1] Morgan-Smith began his career in the youth system at Crewe Alexandra.[2] He went on loan to Northern Premier League First Division club Alsager Town late in the 2006–07 season.[3] Morgan-Smith was released in the summer of 2007, before going on trial at Stockport County with 150 other players through the club's Just Search campaign.[2] He was one of just two players signed by Stockport on 5 September 2007 on a one-year professional contract.[2] He made his debut for Stockport on 3 May 2008, coming on as a 66th-minute substitute in a 1–0 home victory over Brentford.[4] Morgan-Smith was released by the club a month later.[5]

Ilkeston Town

He joined Northern Premier League Premier Division club Ilkeston Town in the summer of 2008,[6] helping the club earn promotion to the Conference North in 2008–09 with a 2–1 win over Nantwich Town on 3 May 2009 in the play-off final.[7] Following his scoring prowess, Ilkeston manager Kevin Wilson described Morgan-Smith as "one of the hottest properties in non-league football".[8] During the summer of 2010, Morgan-Smith trained with Championship club Derby County on a trial period, though the club opted against signing him.[9] On 8 September, Ilkeston were liquidated by HM Revenue and Customs over a £50,000 unpaid tax bill.[10] Morgan-Smith was therefore released from the club with immediate effect. He joined League One club Carlisle United on trial on 21 September, but was not offered a contract.[9]

Luton Town

On 28 September 2010, he joined Conference Premier club Luton Town on a two-year contract.[11] He played the same day in a 2–0 victory over Mansfield Town, scoring on his debut.[12] Morgan-Smith scored a hat-trick for the club in a 4–0 FA Cup win against St Albans City on 23 October 2010.[13] This led to him winning the award for Player of the Round.[14]

Morgan-Smith started 2011–12 on form, scoring nine goals in 13 league matches, before a succession of serious injuries kept him out for most of the remaining campaign.[15] The uncertainty over his fitness led to Luton manager Paul Buckle releasing him from his contract in June 2012.[16]

He was taken on trial by League One club Doncaster Rovers during pre-season, scoring against Hull City in a friendly, but was not offered a contract.[17]

Macclesfield Town

On 31 August 2012, Morgan-Smith signed for Conference Premier club Macclesfield Town on a one-year contract.[18] He made his debut for the club on 1 September 2012 in a 4–1 defeat against his former club Luton Town.

On 31 January 2013, he signed on loan for Kidderminster Harriers for a month.[19] He made five appearances for the club, scoring in a 3–1 victory over Alfreton Town. He was recalled from his loan early by Macclesfield and went on to play in eight further matches, scoring twice. He was released at the end of the season after scoring four goals in 28 appearances.

Kidderminster Harriers

After training with Mansfield Town and his former club Luton Town in the summer of 2013, Morgan-Smith signed for Kidderminster Harriers on a short-term contract on 5 September 2013.[20] He scored two goals in a 4–1 win against Forest Green Rovers on 8 October 2013. On 11 November 2013, he extended his contract until the end of the season after impressing with 3 goals in 11 appearances.[21]

Manager Gary Whild stated on 4 June 2014 that it was likely Morgan-Smith would be leaving the club.[22] Morgan-Smith turned down the offer of a new contract.

Oldham Athletic

He signed for League One club Oldham Athletic on 21 July 2014 on a one-year contract, with the option of a further year.[23]

Cheltenham Town

On 29 May 2015, Morgan-Smith signed a one-year contract with newly relegated National League club Cheltenham Town.[24]

York City and A.F.C. Telford United

On 12 January 2017, Morgan-Smith joined National League club York City on loan until the end of 2016–17.[25] On 21 May 2017, he started as York beat Macclesfield Town 3–2 at Wembley Stadium in the 2017 FA Trophy Final.[26] He was released by Cheltenham at the end of 2016–17.[27]

On 30 June 2017, Morgan-Smith re-signed for York City permanently on a one-year contract.[28]

He signed for York's National League North rivals A.F.C. Telford United on 2 February 2018 on a one-and-a-half-year contract.[29]

Alfreton Town

On 13 July 2019, Morgan-Smith joined Alfreton Town.[30]

2nd spell at Kidderminster

On 25 June 2020, Morgan-Smith resigned for Kidderminster Harriers on a one-year contract, almost 8 years after first joining on loan from Macclesfield. The transfer fee was paid personally by the Harrier's owners during the COVID-19 Pandemic to ensure no impact to the club finances.[31] He scored twice in a pre-season friendly vs Alvechurch that September, as league start dates were pushed back to October due to the pandemic. Across the 2021-22 season, Morgan-Smith scored 17 goals, including one against Reading FC in the FA Cup 3rd Round. Amari (colloquially abbreviated to AMS around the club) became an integral part of the Harriers line-up and, on the 13th of April 2022, extended his deal until the end of the 2022-23 season.[32] Morgan-Smith's 22-23 campaign was hit with injuries, however once injury free he was back leading the line at the Worcestershire club, forming a formidable partnership with Ashley Hemmings up front. Morgan-Smith scored 6 goals in the last 8 games as Harriers won promotion via the play offs back to the conference, which included the winner during the 1-0 play off quarter final win at Alfreton and the third goal in a 4–1 win at King's Lynn in the play off semi finals. It was reported during the summer of 2023, Morgan-Smith had agreed a new one-year deal to remain at Kidderminster for the 23-24 season.

International career

Morgan-Smith was called up to the England national C team for a match against the Republic of Ireland under-23 team in May 2010, in which he made his debut.[33] He was capped twice by England C from 2010 to 2011.[34]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueFA CupEFL CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Stockport County2007–08League Two10000010
Ilkeston Town2009–10[35] Conference North391853204621
Luton Town2010–11[36] Conference Premier2053340278
2011–12[37] Conference Premier17910312110
Total371443714818
Macclesfield Town2012–13Conference Premier2445110305
Kidderminster Harriers (loan)2012–13Conference Premier5151
Kidderminster Harriers2013–14Conference Premier37972004411
Total421072004912
Oldham Athletic2014–15League One132100010152
Cheltenham Town2015–16National League2752000295
2016–17League Two170202042252
Total445402042547
York City (loan)2016–17National League18462246
York City2017–18[38] National League North2842021325
Total46820835611
A.F.C. Telford United2017–18[39] National League North143143
Kidderminster Harriers2021-22National League North331142103814
2022-23National League North431100004311
2023-24National League421010004310
2024-25National League North11000011
Total11832521012434
Career total3468531920226401100

Honours

Ilkeston Town

Cheltenham Town

2015–16[39]

York City

2016–17[26]

Kidderminster Harriers

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: Barry J. . Hugman . The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2008–09 . 2008 . Mainstream Publishing . Edinburgh . 978-1-84596-324-8 . 299.
  2. News: Just Search for a star unearths two gems . Manchester Evening News . 5 September 2007 . 24 June 2018.
  3. News: Bradford Park Avenue 4, Alsager Town 1 . Chester Chronicle . 4 April 2007 . 24 June 2018.
  4. News: Stockport 1–0 Brentford . BBC Sport . 3 May 2008 . 13 January 2017.
  5. News: Promoted Stockport release nine . BBC Sport . 2 June 2008 . 30 September 2010.
  6. News: Ilkeston need a new 'hero' . Nottingham Post . 14 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170113144226/http://www.nottinghampost.com/football-ilkeston-need-new-hero/story-12189582-detail/story.html . 13 January 2017 . dead.
  7. News: Play-off joy for Ilkeston . Nottingham Post . 3 May 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170113144534/http://www.nottinghampost.com/play-joy-ilkeston/story-12240667-detail/story.html . 13 January 2017 . dead.
  8. News: Ilkeston striker is "hottest property in non-league", says his boss . Nottingham Post . 20 August 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170113144949/http://www.nottinghampost.com/ilkeston-striker-hottest-property-non-league-says-boss/story-12170060-detail/story.html . 13 January 2017 . dead.
  9. News: Carlisle hand trial to striker Amari Morgan-Smith . BBC Sport . 21 September 2010 . 30 September 2010.
  10. News: Ilkeston Town Football Club wound up over unpaid tax . BBC News . 8 September 2010 . 30 September 2010.
  11. News: Luton Town sign striker Amari Morgan-Smith . BBC Sport . 28 September 2010 . 30 September 2010.
  12. News: Luton Town 2–0 Mansfield Town . BBC Sport . 28 September 2010 . 30 September 2010.
  13. Web site: Luton Town 4–0 St Albans City . Luton Town F.C. . 23 October 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20101026063501/http://www.lutontown.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0%2C%2C10372~54697%2C00.html . 26 October 2010 . dead.
  14. Web site: Amari claims FA Cup award . Luton Town F.C. . 2 November 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20101107071402/http://www.lutontown.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10372~2205387%2C00.html . 7 November 2010 . dead.
  15. News: Amari injury a big worry for Hatters . James . Cunliffe . Bedfordshire on Sunday . Bedford . 9 March 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170113150734/http://www.bedfordshire-news.co.uk/amari-injury-big-worry-hatters/story-22983753-detail/story.html . 13 January 2017 . dead.
  16. News: Mansfield bring in George Pilkington and Godfrey Poku . BBC Sport . 19 June 2012 . 13 January 2017.
  17. Web site: Report: Rovers 3–1 Hull City . Doncaster Rovers F.C. . 31 July 2012 . 24 June 2018.
  18. News: Macclesfield Town sign Mills, McNamee and Morgan-Smith . BBC Sport . 31 August 2012 . 13 January 2017.
  19. News: Kidderminster Harriers: Amari Morgan-Smith & Nat Jarvis join . BBC Sport . 31 January 2013 . 13 January 2017.
  20. News: Amari Morgan-Smith returns to Harriers . Kidderminster Shuttle . 5 September 2013 . 13 January 2017.
  21. News: Kidderminster Harriers: Amari Morgan-Smith signs for season . BBC Sport . 11 November 2013 . 13 January 2017.
  22. Web site: Boss Gary Whild admits Harriers duo are likely to move on ahead of new season... . Kidderminster Harriers F.C. . 4 June 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170116143926/http://www.harriers.co.uk/news/article/140604-jackman-morgan-smith-1602117.aspx . 16 January 2017 . dead.
  23. News: Oldham Athletic: Amari Morgan-Smith & Willie Gros join . BBC Sport . 21 July 2014 . 13 January 2017.
  24. News: Amari Morgan-Smith: Striker signs for Cheltenham Town . BBC Sport . 29 May 2015 . 13 January 2017.
  25. News: Cheltenham striker Amari Morgan-Smith joins York City on loan until the end of the season . Dave . Flett . The Press . York . 12 January 2017 . 13 January 2017.
  26. News: York City lift FA Trophy to win at Wembley for a fourth time in their history . Dave . Flett . The Press . York . 21 May 2017 . 22 May 2017.
  27. News: Cheltenham Town: Eleven players released after 21st place finish . BBC Sport . 9 May 2017 . 1 June 2017.
  28. News: Parslow and Morgan-Smith agree permanent deals with York City . The Press . York . 30 June 2017 . 1 July 2017.
  29. Web site: Striker joins AFC Telford United . Ian . Appleyard . York City F.C. . 2 February 2018 . 2 February 2018.
  30. http://nonleaguedaily.com/alfreton-sign-morgan-smith/ Alfreton sign Morgan-Smith
  31. Web site: 2020-06-25 . Morgan-Smith returns to Reds . 2022-05-14 . Official Website of the Harriers - Kidderminster Harriers FC . en-GB.
  32. Web site: 2022-04-13 . Morgan-Smith staying with Reds . 2022-05-14 . Official Website of the Harriers - Kidderminster Harriers FC . en-GB.
  33. Web site: England C start strongly . Mike . Appleby . The Football Association . 27 May 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131022153925/http://www.thefa.com/England/england-c/News/match-centre/2010/RepublicofIrelandvEnglandC . 22 October 2013 . dead.
  34. Book: Williams . Williams . Non-League Club Directory 2013 . 1003, 1005, 1009.
  35. Book: Tony . Williams . James . Wright . Non-League Club Directory 2011 . 2010 . Tony Williams Publications . 978-1-869833-68-8 . 224–225.
  36. Book: Mike . Williams . Tony . Williams . Non-League Club Directory 2012 . 2011 . Tony Williams Publications . 978-1-869833-70-1 . 116–117.
  37. Book: Mike . Williams . Tony . Williams . Non-League Club Directory 2013 . 2012 . Tony Williams Publications . 978-1-869833-77-0 . 104–105.
  38. News: York City dig deep to progress in FA Cup amid the Salford rubble . Dave . Flett . The Press . York . 17 September 2017 . 17 September 2017.
    News: Poor Shaftesbury Avenue show sees curtain come down on Gary Mills' second spell as York City manager . Dave . Flett . The Press . York . 1 October 2017 . 1 October 2017.
    News: York City have last laugh following Coalville taunts in 3–1 Trophy triumph . Dave . Flett . The Press . York . 26 November 2017 . 26 November 2017.
  39. Web site: A. Morgan-Smith: Summary . Soccerway . Perform Group . 12 May 2018.
  40. https://harriers.co.uk/news/2023/05/16/highlights-harriers-promoted-at-brackley/