Non-League to Football League: The Remarkable Rise of Matt SmithPosted on May 5, 2014 by Radebe Leeds in Featured, Latest Lucas with 0 Comments
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In the space of four years, Matt Smith has climbed the football ladder and finds himself playing for Leeds United in the Championship, from a career that started in the Conference North back in 2010.
At 6 ft 7, the former Oldham Athletic striker began his journey at Evesham United in 2005, before spending a year as trainee with Cheltenham Town. Following his release, Smith joined up with New Mills, where he played a part in the club’s 21-game winning streak, scoring a hat-trick against Alsager Town, before he had to cut his footballing time short as he set off for America to spend a year studying.
Smith’s progress began to take shape in the ’10-11 season, when he nine times in 11 appearances for Redditch United, and spells at Littleton, Droylsden and Solihull Moors saw him score 23 times in 16 games combined.
His impact at Solihull Moors had Football League teams knocking on the door. And in May 2011, Oldham Athletic took a gamble on the big man that would pay off in true Roy of the Rovers fashion.
In front of the cameras, Smith wrote his name in FA Cup history, by scoring twice against Premier League Liverpool, scoring a last-minute winner to to send Oldham in to the Fifth Round to play Everton.
Lightning often doesn’t strike twice, but in this case, Smith would again etch his name in the history books, as a dramatic equaliser to take the game against Everton to a replay, had the English game taking notice of a player who was used to playing in front of hundreds and not thousands.
14 goals in 75 appearances during his time with the Latics was enough to persuade Brian McDermott to sign him on a two-year contract at Elland Road. The signing raised questions marks for some, who believed that another transfer that demanded little or no fee was not showing ambition.
It wouldn’t take Smith’s degree education to realise that the jury was out on his move to Leeds United, with some laying the blame firmly on the striker for the lack of creative football played at Elland Road. Smith would even fend off social media criticism by relaying the fact that he had the most headed goals in the Championship.
The team has often struggled to find a good balance this season, but the partnership between McCormack and Smith has seen the pair score 44 goals this term, with 13 of them from the former Solihull star.
Matt Smith’s progression from Conference North to the Football League Championship has been a truly remarkable journey, with goals against Everton and Liverpool, Smith has made a big impact in a short period of time and Leeds fans can only hope that things will only get better
