Michael Smith (footballer, born 1988) explained

Michael Smith
Fullname:Michael Smith[1]
Birth Date:4 September 1988
Birth Place:Monkstown, Northern Ireland
Height:[2]
Position:Defender
Currentclub:Yeovil Town
Clubnumber:23
Youthclubs1:Greenisland Boys Club
Years1:2005–2009
Clubs1:Ballyclare Comrades
Years2:2009–2011
Clubs2:Ballymena United
Caps2:86
Goals2:5
Years3:2011–2014
Clubs3:Bristol Rovers
Caps3:101
Goals3:1
Years4:2014–2017
Clubs4:Peterborough United
Caps4:120
Goals4:3
Years5:2017–2023
Clubs5:Heart of Midlothian
Caps5:155
Goals5:6
Years6:2023–
Clubs6:Yeovil Town
Caps6:30
Goals6:2
Nationalyears1:2016–
Nationalteam1:Northern Ireland
Nationalcaps1:19
Nationalgoals1:1
Club-Update:22:20, 20 August 2024 (UTC)
Nationalteam-Update:9 September 2021 (UTC)

Michael Smith (born 4 September 1988) is a Northern Irish professional footballer who plays as a defender for club Yeovil Town and the Northern Ireland national team. Smith has previously played for Heart of Midlothian in Scotland, Ballyclare Comrades and Ballymena United in Northern Ireland, and Bristol Rovers and Peterborough United in England.

At Hearts, Smith was mostly utilised as a right-back – either as a fullback or as a wing-back – however he also deputised as a centre-back (often as the right-most of a back three) when needed.

Smith has received several honours, including the Ballymena United Player of the Year in 2009–10, and Bristol Rovers Player of the Year in 2012–13.

Club career

Early career

Smith began playing football under the management of his father at Greenisland Boys Club and was picked up by his first senior club, Ballyclare Comrades in 2005. He signed for Irish League side Ballymena United in January 2009, and made over 100 appearances for them before moving to England to join Bristol Rovers in 2011.[3]

Bristol Rovers

He made his debut on 6 August 2011, in a 3–2 victory away against AFC Wimbledon. He made his home debut on 13 August in a 1–2 defeat to local rivals Torquay United. He scored his first goal for the club in August 2012, opening the scoring in a 3–1 EFL Cup defeat to Ipswich Town.[4]

At the end of the 2012–13 season, he was named the club's Player of the Year[5] before signing a new two-year contract.[6] The 2013–14 season saw Rovers relegated from the Football League for the first time in the club's history, a 1–0 defeat to Mansfield Town sealing their fate on the final day of the season.[7] Despite this, both Smith and teammate John-Joe O'Toole were named in the PFA League Two Team of the Season.[8] Following relegation, he handed in a transfer request.[9]

Peterborough United

On 25 July 2014, Smith moved to Peterborough United, signing a three-year deal.[10]

Heart of Midlothian

On 30 June 2017, Michael Smith signed for Hearts in the Scottish Premiership. He signed a two-year deal, wearing the number 2 shirt previously worn by Callum Paterson.[11]

On 7 January 2021, Smith signed an 18-month contract extension.[12] In January 2022 he signed another one-year contract extension to his existing deal.[13] On 25 May 2023, he was announced to be leaving the club at the end of the 2022–23 season.[14]

Yeovil Town

On 12 September 2023, Smith signed for National League South side Yeovil Town on a one-year deal with an option of an additional year.[15]

Following a successful 2023–24 season that saw Yeovil promoted back to the National League as champions,[16] Smith had a one-year contract extension clause triggered.[17]

International career

Smith received his first call-up to the senior Northern Ireland squad on 16 March 2016 for friendlies against Wales and Slovenia.[18] He scored his first international goal on 19 November 2019, in a 6–1 defeat against Germany.[19]

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Ballymena United2008–09[20] IFA Premiership120000000120
2009–10[21] [22] IFA Premiership372612230485
2010–11[23] [24] IFA Premiership373203110434
Total8658153401039
Bristol Rovers2011–12League Two200002010230
2012–13League Two381101110412
2013–14League Two430501010500
Total10116041301142
Peterborough United2014–15League One431101010461
2015–16League One381400010431
2016–17League One391401000441
Total12039020201333
Heart of Midlothian2017–18Scottish Premiership3103040380
2018–19Scottish Premiership2804062382
2019–20Scottish Premiership2305071351
2020–21Scottish Championship2520010262
2021–22Scottish Premiership2022050272
2022–23Scottish Premiership282301070392
Total1556170243702039
Heart of Midlothian B2022–23[25] 1010
Yeovil Town2023–24National League South2715000321
2024–25National League31000031
Total3025000352
Career total4941745135717058925

International goals

Scores and results Northern Ireland's goal tally first.

Honours

Heart of Midlothian

2020-21

Yeovil Town

2023–24[16]

Individual

2013–14 League Two[28]

2020–21 Scottish Championship

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: The Football League Limited: Club list of registered players as at 16th May 2015 . The Football League . 54 . 16 May 2015 . 21 June 2015.
  2. Book: Glenda. Rollin. Jack. Rollin. Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2012–2013. 2012. Headline. London. 978-0-7553-6356-8. 441. 43rd.
  3. News: Michael Smith joins Bristol Rovers . 27 June 2011 . Ballymena United Football Club . 9 August 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110802051029/http://www.ballymenaunitedfc.com/news/news_2011_06_27_1.htm . 2 August 2011 . dead .
  4. Web site: Ipswich 3–1 Bristol Rovers. BBC Sport. 14 August 2012. 25 May 2023.
  5. Web site: SMITH WINS PLAYER OF THE YEAR. www.bristolrovers.co.uk. 20 April 2013. 25 May 2023.
  6. Web site: NEW CONTRACT FOR DEFENDER. www.bristolrovers.co.uk. 16 April 2013. 25 May 2023.
  7. Web site: Bristol Rovers 0–1 Mansfield Town. BBC Sport. 3 May 2014. 25 May 2023.
  8. Web site: SMITH AND O'TOOLE NAMED IN PFA SIDE. www.bristolrovers.co.uk. 28 April 2014. 25 May 2023.
  9. Web site: Transfer talk. www.bristolrovers.co.uk. 14 July 2014. 25 May 2023.
  10. News: Peterborough United sign Michael Smith from Bristol Rovers. BBC Sport. 25 July 2014. 25 July 2014.
  11. News: Hearts confirm signings of Michael Smith and Ashley Smith-Brown. The Scotsman. 30 June 2017. 1 July 2017.
  12. Web site: Smith signs contract extension Heart Of Midlothian Football Club. 2021-01-12. www.heartsfc.co.uk.
  13. Web site: Michael Smith extends contract Heart Of Midlothian Football Club. 2022-01-14. www.heartsfc.co.uk.
  14. Web site: Trio to leave. www.heartsfc.co.uk. 25 May 2023. 25 May 2023.
  15. Web site: Signing Michael Smith signs for the Glovers . Yeovil Town F.C. . 12 September 2023 . 12 September 2023 .
  16. Web site: Yeovil Town: Club secure promotion to National League after season in sixth tier. BBC Sport. 11 April 2024. 25 April 2024.
  17. Web site: Squad Update. www.ytfc.net. 24 April 2024. 25 April 2024.
  18. News: Michael Smith and Conor Washington called into NI squad. 16 March 2016. BBC Sport. BBC. 16 March 2016.
  19. News: 'If it's bobbling on the edge of the box I'm hitting it' - Hearts defender Michael Smith reflects on stunning first goal for Northern Ireland against Germany . Peter . Wales . Edinburgh Evening News . 20 November 2019 . 20 November 2019.
  20. Web site: Season-by-Season 2008/2009 – Player Appearances . Ballymena United F.C. . 12 September 2023 .
  21. Web site: Season-by-Season 2009/2010 – Player Appearances . Ballymena United F.C. . 12 September 2023 .
  22. Web site: Season-by-Season 2009/2010 – Goalscoring Chart . Ballymena United F.C. . 12 September 2023 .
  23. Web site: Season-by-Season 2010/2011 – Player Appearances . Ballymena United F.C. . 12 September 2023 .
  24. Web site: Season-by-Season 2010/2011 – Goalscoring Chart . Ballymena United F.C. . 12 September 2023 .
  25. Web site: M. Smith: Summary . Soccerway . Perform Group . 12 September 2023 .
  26. Web site: 'Blame me' - Walker tells United fans . 25 April 2010 . Ballymena Times . 9 August 2011.
  27. Web site: BRSC Player of the Year Awards . Bristol Rovers Supporters Club . May 2013 . 25 September 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130927045902/http://www.bristolroverssc.co.uk/news/article/1852 . 27 September 2013 . dmy-all .
  28. News: Luis Suarez: Liverpool striker wins PFA Player of the Year award . BBC Sport . 28 April 2014 . 23 May 2018.