Graeme Smith (footballer, born 1983) explained

Graeme Smith (footballer, born 1983) should not be confused with Graeme Smith (footballer, born 1982).

Graeme Smith
Upright:0.9
Fullname:Graeme Meldrum Smith
Birth Date:8 June 1983
Birth Place:Edinburgh, Scotland
Position:Goalkeeper
Youthyears1:1999–2003
Youthclubs1:Rangers
Years1:2003–2005
Caps1:0
Goals1:0
Years2:2003–2004
Caps2:20
Goals2:0
Clubs2:Ross County (loan)
Years3:2005–2009
Caps3:127
Goals3:0
Years4:2009–2010
Caps4:6
Goals4:0
Years5:2010–2011
Caps5:16
Goals5:0
Years6:2011–2012
Caps6:7
Goals6:0
Years7:2012–2013
Caps7:6
Goals7:0
Years8:2013
Caps8:15
Goals8:0
Clubs8:Ayr United
Years9:2013–2018
Caps9:165
Goals9:0
Clubs9:Brechin City
Years10:2018–2022
Caps10:64
Goals10:0
Clubs10:Stenhousemuir
Years11:2022
Caps11:0
Goals11:0
Clubs11:Berwick Rangers (loan)
Totalcaps:426
Totalgoals:0
Nationalyears1:2004–2005
Nationalteam1:Scotland U21[1]
Nationalcaps1:8
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:2007
Nationalteam2:Scotland B
Nationalcaps2:1
Nationalgoals2:0

Graeme Meldrum Smith (born 8 June 1983) is a Scottish former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper. He was employed as the goalkeeping coach at Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic but left in May 2024.

Smith started his career at Rangers, later playing for Ross County, Motherwell, Brighton, Hibernian, Gabala, Partick Thistle, Ayr United, Brechin City, Stenhousemuir and Berwick Rangers.

Career

Smith was born in Edinburgh. He started his career with Rangers but failed to make an appearance for the club. During his time at Ibrox, Smith spent the 2003–04 season on loan to Scottish First Division side Ross County.

Motherwell

On 25 June 2005, Smith signed for Motherwell.[2] During four seasons at Fir Park, Smith made 127 SPL appearances for Motherwell. Smith was included in the Scotland squad to face the Faroe Islands and Lithuania in Euro 2008 qualifiers played in September 2006, but he did not play in either game.[3] Smith made one appearance for the Scotland B team during this time, playing in a 1–1 draw with the Republic of Ireland B team in November 2007.[4] He was part of the Motherwell side that finished third in the SPL in the 2007–08 season, qualifying for the 2008–09 UEFA Cup.

Brighton & Hove Albion

On 1 July 2009, Smith transferred to English League One side Brighton & Hove Albion, signing a two-year contract.[5] However, he conceded five goals on his debut, coming as a substitute after the regular goalkeeper Michel Kuipers had been sent off, as Brighton lost 7–1 at Huddersfield. Smith went on to make nine further appearances for Brighton.

Hibernian

Smith returned to the SPL on 1 January 2010 by signing for Hibernian on a free transfer.[6] He immediately took possession of the goalkeeper position at Hibs, as manager John Hughes sought to put a "goalkeeping school" in place.[7] Smith was involved in a remarkable game towards the end of the 2009–10 season, as he conceded six goals against his former club Motherwell, the match finishing drawn 6–6.[8] Smith eventually fell behind Mark Brown and Graham Stack in the selection order under the management of Colin Calderwood and was released by the club in April 2011.[9] He had made only 16 league appearances during his 15 months with the club.[9]

Gabala

Smith was invited by Tony Adams to train with Azerbaijan Premier League club Gabala in July 2011.[10] [11] Smith signed a one-year contract with Gabala after a pre-season tour of England.[12] He made his debut for Gabala in an Azerbaijan Cup tie against Neftchala, in which they won 3–0. Smith made his league debut on 7 March in a 3–2 defeat against Kəpəz.[13] On 17 May, Smith's contract was not renewed by Gabala.[14]

Return to Scotland

Smith trained with Dunfermline, in his native Scotland, in July 2012.[15] On 13 November 2012, he signed a 9-week deal with Scottish First Division club Partick Thistle.[16] Smith scored an own goal in his debut appearance for Thistle, a 1–0 defeat against Hamilton on 16 November.[17] He left the club at the end of his contract.

Smith signed a contract with Ayr United in February 2013 for the remainder of the season.[18] [19]

Brechin City

On 3 July 2013, Smith signed for Scottish League One side Brechin City.[20] He signed a new two-year contract on 19 May 2014.[21]

On 21 November 2015, Smith travelled to the Ochilview ground for the away game against Stenhousemuir. Unfortunately for him, the match was actually a home fixture for Brechin, 83 miles away. He did make it in time to play, but the side lost 2–1.[22]

Smith extended his contract with Brechin City for another year on 1 June 2016.[23] After five year with Brechin, Smith left Glebe Park at the end of the 2017–18 season.[24]

Stenhousemuir

On 22 May 2018, Smith signed a two-year contract with Scottish League One side Stenhousemuir.[25] On 22 April 2022, Smith joined Lowland League side Berwick Rangers on an emergency loan for the remainder of the 2021–22 season.[26]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Rangers2003–04Scottish Premier League0000000000
2004–050000000000
Total0000000000
Ross County (Loan)2003–04Scottish First Division200100000210
Motherwell2005–06Scottish Premier League300103000340
2006–07240301000280
2007–08360303000420
2008–09370301020430
Total127010080201470
Brighton & Hove Albion2009–10League One60300010100
Hibernian2009–10Scottish Premier League120300000150
2010–114010001060
Total160400010210
Gabala2011–12Azerbaijan Premier League7010000080
Partick Thistle2012–13Scottish First Division6010000070
Ayr United2012–13Scottish League One150000000150
Brechin City2013–14Scottish League One310301010360
2014–1535040104[27] 0440
2015–16340101010370
2016–1734010406[28] 0450
2017–18Scottish Championship310204010380
Total16501101101302000
Stenhousemuir2018–19Scottish League One35030303[29] 0440
2019–20Scottish League Two270103030340
2020–212000000020
Total640406060800
Career total43603502502305090

Honours

Rangers

2005

Notes

  1. Web site: Scotland U21 Player Graeme Smith Details. fitbastats.com. 18 August 2018.
  2. News: Keeper Smith Moves to Motherwell . . 25 June 2005 . 28 June 2009.
  3. News: Hibernian make New Year signing . Hibernian F.C. . 1 January 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100104110437/http://www.hibernianfc.co.uk/news/hibernian-make-new-year-signing-20100101_2262950_1920062 . 4 January 2010 .
  4. News: Scotland B 1–1 Rep of Ireland B. BBC Sport. 20 November 2007. 18 August 2018.
  5. http://www.seagulls.co.uk/page/Latest/0,,10433~1709258,00.html Goalkeeper Signs
  6. News: Hibs snap up Smith. Sky Sports. 1 January 2010. 18 August 2018.
  7. News: Keeper deal ends Hibs' transfer bids . . 1 February 2010 . 7 February 2010 . David . Hardie . https://archive.today/20100203021740/http://sport.scotsman.com/sport/Keeper-deal-ends-Hibs39-transfer.6030777.jp . 3 February 2010 . dead .
  8. News: John Hughes claims Rob Jones would have prevented Hibs' 6–6 'defeat' . Bathgate . Stuart . . 8 May 2010 . 8 May 2010.
  9. News: Goalkeeper Graeme Smith departs Hibs . BBC Sport . 19 April 2011 . 19 April 2011.
  10. News: Graeme Smith looks east for life after Hibs. 20 June 2011. 21 June 2011. Edinburgh Evening News. David. Hardie. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110628143331/http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/hibernianfc/Graeme-Smith-looks-east-for.6788109.jp. 28 June 2011.
  11. News: Players must look further afield for employment now, admits freed Hibs keeper Graeme Smith as he ponders move to Azerbaijan . 23 June 2011. Gordon. Parks. 26 August 2011 . Daily Record. Glasgow.
  12. News: England legend Tony Adams lures Graeme Smith to Azerbaijan. Daily Express. Northern and Shell Media Publications. 26 August 2011. 26 August 2011. Scott. Burns.
  13. News: Kapaz -Gabala 3–2. 7 March 2012. 7 March 2012. Gabala FC.
  14. News: Five more players leave Gabala . 18 March 2012. 18 March 2012. Gabala FC.
  15. News: Smith in goal for Pars . https://archive.today/20130420085925/http://www.dafc.co.uk/articles/20120712/smith-in-goal-for-pars_2207955_2847738 . dead . 20 April 2013 . 12 July 2012 . Dunfermline Athletic F.C. . 13 July 2012 .
  16. Web site: Thistle Sign Goalkeeper. Partick Thistle F.C.. 13 November 2012. 13 November 2012. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20121117201234/http://ptfc.co.uk/news/2012-2013/november_2012/thistle_sign_goalkeeper. 17 November 2012.
  17. News: Hamilton 1 Partick Thistle 0: Partick Thistle's ham-fisted debut goalie costs them match with own goal . Kenny . Macdonald . Daily Record . 17 November 2012 . 17 November 2012.
  18. News: Graeme Smith Signs Until End of the Season . Ayr United F.C. . 14 February 2013 . 14 February 2013 .
  19. News: Graeme Smith signs for Ayr until end of season . The Scotsman . Johnston Publishing . 14 February 2013 . 17 February 2013.
  20. Web site: Latest Signing. Brechin City F.C.. 3 July 2013. 7 September 2013.
  21. Web site: Graeme Smith Stays On. Brechin City F.C.. 19 May 2014. 27 July 2014.
  22. Web site: Brechin goalkeeper turns up at wrong ground for game. BBC Sport. 21 November 2015. 21 November 2015.
  23. Web site: Buzz Staying On. Brechin City F.C.. 30 December 2016. 1 June 2016.
  24. Web site: Brechin City squad news . Grant . Hood . Brechin City F.C. . 9 May 2018 . 10 May 2018.
  25. Web site: Another new face joins the Warriors . Stenhousemuir FC . 22 May 2018 . 22 April 2022.
  26. StenhousemuirFC . 1517529951171457024 . Squad Update.
  27. Two appearances in the Scottish Challenge Cup and two in the Championship play-offs
  28. Two appearances in the Scottish Challenge Cup and four in the Championship play-offs
  29. One appearance in the Scottish Challenge Cup and two in the League Two play-offs