Tommy Smith (footballer born 1990)
Encyclopedia
Thomas Jefferson "Tommy" Smith (born 31 March 1990) is an English-born New Zealand international footballer who plays for Ipswich Town
. A graduate of the Ipswich academy, he is a left-sided defensive player, most adept at centre back or left back. He spent the second half of the 2007–08 season on loan at Stevenage in the Conference National
before making his Ipswich debut in August 2008.
, Cheshire
, Smith is a product of the Ipswich Town
academy and signed a three-year professional
contract in August 2007. He was on the shortlist for the Wickes Young Apprentice Trophy, given to the best youth player in the Championship
, but Mark Beevers
won the award.
on a one-month emergency loan. Later the loan was extended until the end of the season. He played 15 games for the club before returning to Ipswich.
That season, Smith broke his ankle in training, and missed the majority of the season. However, by the time he made his return to first team action, manager Jim Magilton
had left the club and been replaced by Roy Keane
. Smith featured heavily in Keane's early games as Ipswich manager, with the former Manchester United
midfielder opting to give some of the club's younger talent – such as Connor Wickham
and Smith – a chance to prove themselves.
However, injury stalled Smith's progress once again, when he suffered another horrific training ground injury – this time to his hand. In his absence Gareth McAuley
and Damien Delaney
formed a solid defensive partnership ahead of deputising goalkeeper Arran Lee-Barrett
. Smith was unable to force his way back into the first team in the short-term.
on a temporary basis. In doing so, Smith would replace Pim Balkestein
at Griffin Park
, who had been on loan at the club from Ipswich too. Smith played eight games during his brief spell at Brentford, before being recalled by Ipswich on 15 March.
in the first game of the 2010–11 Championship
, which Ipswich won 3–1.
on loan for the rest of the 2010–11 season.
during his youth and as a result holds dual nationality. This gave him the opportunity to declare himself eligible for the New Zealand national football team ("All Whites"), though he has also represented England at U-17
and U-18
level. Smith played in the 2007 FIFA U-17 World Cup
in Korea during September, 2007 despite not playing a part in England's qualification for the tournament.
In December 2009, after the New Zealand national football team had qualified for the 2010 FIFA World Cup
, Smith declared that he wanted to play for New Zealand and made himself available for All Whites selection, having been offered the opportunity by the Kiwi's boss, Ricki Herbert
. He made his full international debut on 3 March 2010, starting in a 2–0 friendly defeat to Mexico
in Los Angeles
, USA on 3 March 2010. Smith was named in New Zealand's final 23-man squad to compete at the 2010 FIFA World Cup
and made his first World Cup Finals appearance in New Zealand's opening game, a 1–1 draw against Slovakia
. He also went on play every minute of New Zealand's World Cup campaign and achieved a historical three points at the tournament.
Ipswich Town F.C.
Ipswich Town Football Club are an English professional football team based in Ipswich, Suffolk. As of 2011, they play in the Football League Championship, having last appeared in the Premier League in 2001–02....
. A graduate of the Ipswich academy, he is a left-sided defensive player, most adept at centre back or left back. He spent the second half of the 2007–08 season on loan at Stevenage in the Conference National
Conference National
Conference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
before making his Ipswich debut in August 2008.
Academy
Born in MacclesfieldMacclesfield
Macclesfield is a market town within the unitary authority of Cheshire East, the county palatine of Chester, also known as the ceremonial county of Cheshire, England. The population of the Macclesfield urban sub-area at the time of the 2001 census was 50,688...
, Cheshire
Cheshire
Cheshire is a ceremonial county in North West England. Cheshire's county town is the city of Chester, although its largest town is Warrington. Other major towns include Widnes, Congleton, Crewe, Ellesmere Port, Runcorn, Macclesfield, Winsford, Northwich, and Wilmslow...
, Smith is a product of the Ipswich Town
Ipswich Town F.C.
Ipswich Town Football Club are an English professional football team based in Ipswich, Suffolk. As of 2011, they play in the Football League Championship, having last appeared in the Premier League in 2001–02....
academy and signed a three-year professional
Professional
A professional is a person who is paid to undertake a specialised set of tasks and to complete them for a fee. The traditional professions were doctors, lawyers, clergymen, and commissioned military officers. Today, the term is applied to estate agents, surveyors , environmental scientists,...
contract in August 2007. He was on the shortlist for the Wickes Young Apprentice Trophy, given to the best youth player in the Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
, but Mark Beevers
Mark Beevers
Mark Geoffrey Beevers is an English professional football defender playing in the centre back position who is currently on loan at Milton Keynes Dons on loan from Sheffield Wednesday.-Career:...
won the award.
Loan to Stevenage
In February 2008, Smith joined Stevenage in the Conference NationalConference National
Conference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
on a one-month emergency loan. Later the loan was extended until the end of the season. He played 15 games for the club before returning to Ipswich.
Return to Ipswich
His form for Stevenage led to him getting his opportunity in the Ipswich first team on the first day of the 2008–09 season. Ipswich went on to lose the game 2–1 to Preston North End.That season, Smith broke his ankle in training, and missed the majority of the season. However, by the time he made his return to first team action, manager Jim Magilton
Jim Magilton
James "Jim" Magilton is a Northern Irish former footballer and manager, who is currently employed as Football Consultant at Shamrock Rovers F.C. after being appointed on 6 July 2011....
had left the club and been replaced by Roy Keane
Roy Keane
Roy Maurice Keane is an Irish former footballer and manager. In his 18-year playing career, he played for Cobh Ramblers in the League of Ireland, Nottingham Forest and Manchester United, before ending his career at Celtic in Scotland....
. Smith featured heavily in Keane's early games as Ipswich manager, with the former Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
midfielder opting to give some of the club's younger talent – such as Connor Wickham
Connor Wickham
Connor Neil Ralph Wickham is an English footballer who plays for Sunderland as a striker.He played youth football at Reading before being released and moving to Ipswich Town in 2006 where he continued in the youth structure. He made his full professional debut for the club in April 2009...
and Smith – a chance to prove themselves.
However, injury stalled Smith's progress once again, when he suffered another horrific training ground injury – this time to his hand. In his absence Gareth McAuley
Gareth McAuley
Gareth Gerald McAuley is a Northern Ireland footballer who plays for West Bromwich Albion as a defender.-Early career:...
and Damien Delaney
Damien Delaney
Damien Delaney is an Irish footballer who plays as a defender for Ipswich Town and the Republic of Ireland national football team.Delaney began his career at Cork City...
formed a solid defensive partnership ahead of deputising goalkeeper Arran Lee-Barrett
Arran Lee-Barrett
Arran Lee-Barrett is an English footballer who currently plays for Ipswich Town.Lee-Barrett signed for Ipswich in August 2009, from being a free agent.-Career:...
. Smith was unable to force his way back into the first team in the short-term.
Loan to Brentford
On 7 January 2010, Smith joined BrentfordBrentford F.C.
Brentford Football Club are a professional English football club based in Brentford in the London Borough of Hounslow. They are currently playing in Football League One....
on a temporary basis. In doing so, Smith would replace Pim Balkestein
Pim Balkestein
Pim Balkestein is a Dutch professional footballer who plays for Brentford. He plays as a central-defender and can also play at left-back. He is the son of ex-footballer Luuk Balkestein.-Heerenveen:...
at Griffin Park
Griffin Park
Griffin Park is a football ground situated in the London Borough of Hounslow, west London. It has been the home ground of League One side Brentford since it was built in 1904. It is known for being the only English league football ground to have a pub on each corner, and is situated in a...
, who had been on loan at the club from Ipswich too. Smith played eight games during his brief spell at Brentford, before being recalled by Ipswich on 15 March.
Return to Ipswich
Smith scored his first professional goal for Ipswich away against MiddlesbroughMiddlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
in the first game of the 2010–11 Championship
2010–11 Football League Championship
The 2010–11 Football League Championship was the seventh season of the league under its current name and nineteenth season under its current league division format...
, which Ipswich won 3–1.
Loan to Colchester United
On 17 March 2011, Smith signed for Colchester UnitedColchester United F.C.
Colchester United Football Club is an English football club based in Colchester. The club was formed in 1937, and briefly shared their old Layer Road home with now defunct side Colchester Town who had previously used the ground from 1910....
on loan for the rest of the 2010–11 season.
International career
Born in England, Smith resided in New ZealandNew Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
during his youth and as a result holds dual nationality. This gave him the opportunity to declare himself eligible for the New Zealand national football team ("All Whites"), though he has also represented England at U-17
England national under-17 football team
-Elite Qualifying Group 3:-Group stage:-Fifth place play-off:-FA International U17 Tournament:-Latest squad:The following players were named in the squad for the 2012 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship qualifying round....
and U-18
England national under-18 football team
-Latest squad:The following players were named in the squad for the friendly match against Slovakia.-Recent call-ups:The following players have also been called up to the England under-18 squad and remain eligible.-References:...
level. Smith played in the 2007 FIFA U-17 World Cup
2007 FIFA U-17 World Cup
The FIFA U-17 World Cup 2007 was held in the Korea Republic between 18 August and 9 September 2007. For this event, the number of teams had been expanded from 16 to 24, with the top two of each group and the four best third-place teams advancing to the Round of 16...
in Korea during September, 2007 despite not playing a part in England's qualification for the tournament.
In December 2009, after the New Zealand national football team had qualified for the 2010 FIFA World Cup
2010 FIFA World Cup
The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010...
, Smith declared that he wanted to play for New Zealand and made himself available for All Whites selection, having been offered the opportunity by the Kiwi's boss, Ricki Herbert
Ricki Herbert
Ricki Lloyd Herbert, CNZM is a New Zealand former association football player who represented his country at the 1982 FIFA World Cup in Spain...
. He made his full international debut on 3 March 2010, starting in a 2–0 friendly defeat to Mexico
Mexico national football team
The Mexican national football team represents Mexico in association football and is governed by the Mexican Football Federation , the governing body for football in Mexico. Mexico's home stadium is the Estadio Azteca and their head coach is José Manuel de la Torre...
in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, USA on 3 March 2010. Smith was named in New Zealand's final 23-man squad to compete at the 2010 FIFA World Cup
2010 FIFA World Cup
The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010...
and made his first World Cup Finals appearance in New Zealand's opening game, a 1–1 draw against Slovakia
Slovakia national football team
The Slovakia national football team represents Slovakia in association football and is controlled by the Slovak Football Association , the governing body for football in Slovakia. Slovakia's home stadium is Štadión Pasienky and their head coach is Vladimír Weiss...
. He also went on play every minute of New Zealand's World Cup campaign and achieved a historical three points at the tournament.
Club career statistics
| Club | Season |  England Conference National |
FA Cup FA Cup The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's... |
League Cup Conference League Cup The Conference League Cup was an English football competition open to clubs playing in levels 5 or 6 of the English football league system , which covers the three Football Conference divisions.The Conference League Cup was formed... |
Europe UEFA The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer.... |
Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | ||
| Stevenage Borough F.C. Stevenage Borough F.C. Stevenage Football Club is an English football club based in Stevenage, Hertfordshire. The club currently participate in League One, the third tier of English football, having won promotion from League Two in the 2010–11 season... on loan from Ipswich Town (Conference National) |
2007–08 | 15 | 0 | 15 | 0 | ||||||
| Club Total | 15 | 0 | 15 | 0 | |||||||
| Club | Season | England Championship Football League Championship The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League... |
FA Cup FA Cup The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's... |
League Cup | Europe UEFA The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer.... |
Total | |||||
| App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | ||
| Ipswich Town F.C. Ipswich Town F.C. Ipswich Town Football Club are an English professional football team based in Ipswich, Suffolk. As of 2011, they play in the Football League Championship, having last appeared in the Premier League in 2001–02.... (Football League Championship Football League Championship The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League... ) |
2008–09 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||||||
| 2009–10 | 14 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 15 | 0 | |||||
| 2010–11 2010–11 Football League Championship The 2010–11 Football League Championship was the seventh season of the league under its current name and nineteenth season under its current league division format... |
12 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 15 | 2 | |||||
| Club Total | 28 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 32 | 2 | |||||
| Club | Season | England League One Football League One Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system.... |
FA Cup FA Cup The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's... |
League Cup | Europe UEFA The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer.... |
Total | |||||
| App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | ||
| Brentford F.C. Brentford F.C. Brentford Football Club are a professional English football club based in Brentford in the London Borough of Hounslow. They are currently playing in Football League One.... on loan from Ipswich Town (Football League One Football League One Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system.... ) |
2009–10 2009–10 Football League One The Football League 2009–10 , was be the seventeenth season under its current league division format. It began in August 2009 and ended on 8 May 2010.... |
8 | 0 | 8 | 0 | ||||||
| Club Total | 8 | 0 | 8 | 0 | |||||||
| Career totals | 51 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 55 | 2 | |||||
| Last updated 28 Oct 2010 | |||||||||||
International caps
| # | Date | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition | Match report | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 March 2010 | 2–0 | Loss | Friendly | Report | ||||||
| 2 | 24 May 2010 | 2–1 | Loss | Friendly | Report | ||||||
| 3 | 29 May 2010 | 1–0 | Win | Friendly | Report | ||||||
| 4 | 4 June 2010 | 3–1 | Loss | Friendly | Report | ||||||
| 5 | 15 June 2010 | 1–1 | Draw | 2010 World Cup | Report | ||||||
| 6 | 20 June 2010 | 1–1 | Draw | 2010 World Cup | Report | ||||||
| 7 | 24 June 2010 | 0–0 | Draw | 2010 World Cup | Report |
||||||
| Last updated 26 June 2010 | |||||||||||
See also
- New Zealand national football team
- New Zealand at the FIFA World CupNew Zealand at the FIFA World CupThe New Zealand national football team has participated in two FIFA World Cups, the 1982 FIFA World Cup in Spain and the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa....
- New Zealand national football team results
- List of New Zealand international footballers