Darren Smith (footballer, born 1988)
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Darren Lee Smith | ||
| Date of birth | 27 March 1988 | ||
| Place of birth | Lanark, Scotland | ||
| Height | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) | ||
| Playing position | Winger/Forward | ||
| Club information | |||
Current team | Stirling Albion | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2004–2010 | Motherwell | 58 | (6) |
| 2010 | → Stenhousemuir (loan) | 2 | (0) |
| 2010–2011 | Ross County | 7 | (0) |
| 2011–2012 | Stirling Albion | 33 | (4) |
| 2012–2014 | Stenhousemuir | 59 | (16) |
| 2014– | Stirling Albion | 12 | (3) |
| National team | |||
| Scotland U19 | |||
| 2007 | Scotland U20 | 1 | (0) |
| 2007 | Scotland U21 | 1 | (0) |
|
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 26 Jun 2014. | |||
Darren Lee Smith (born 27 March 1988) is a Scottish professional footballer who is plays for Stirling Albion. Smith represented the Scotland national under-21 football team once and played nearly 60 Scottish Premier League (SPL) games for Motherwell.[1] He has also played for Ross County and Stenhousemuir.
Early life
Smith was born in Lanark and attended Carluke High School in South Lanarkshire.[2]
Club career
Motherwell
Smith started his football career at boyhood heroes Motherwell,[3] and became one of their youngest ever players when he made his debut aged 16, appearing as a substitute against Inverness CT in the 2004–05 season. It would be the 2005–06 season before he would feature in the team again, coming on as a substitute as Motherwell defeated Falkirk 5–0. A few days later, he scored his first goal for the club against St Mirren in the League Cup. He then suffered an injury which ruled him out for the rest of the season.
The 2006–07 season was a more prolific one for Smith. Despite this being an unsuccessful season for Motherwell, who finished 10th in the SPL, Smith made 13 starts and 6 substitute appearances, scoring three goals. The first and most notable of his goals was a last minute equaliser against Celtic on Boxing Day 2006.
The 2007–08 season was Smith's most successful in his time at Motherwell so far, as Motherwell finished 3rd in the SPL and qualified for the UEFA Cup. He made 27 appearances, scoring four goals. Two came against Aberdeen in the SPL, the second being the opener in the 2–1 victory on 10 May that effectively sealed Motherwell's UEFA Cup qualification.
Smith found himself on the fringes of the first team in the 2008–09 season, making only one start and failing to find the net. At the start of the 2009–10 season, Smith was forced to have hip surgery after tearing cartilage during pre-season.[4]
Smith spent a month on loan at Stenhousemuir in early 2010, but played only twice due to injury.[5]
Ross County
He was released by Motherwell at the end of the 2009–10 season.[1] [3] Smith had a trial at Inverness Caledonian Thistle. Smith then signed for Ross County on a one-year deal.[1] Manager Derek Adams commented that "Darren is a young player with a lot of potential as well as a lot of experience. I'm delighted that after his trial period we have been able to reach an agreement with him."[1]
Stirling Albion
On 28 July 2011, Smith signed for Stirling Albion of the Second Division after being released by Ross County.[6] He left the club in May 2012.
Stenhousemuir
Smith signed for Stenhousemuir during the 2012 summer transfer window.[7]
International career
Smith made his debut for the Scotland under-21s in the spring of 2007, playing the second half of a 2–0 defeat against the Germany under-21s. He also played for his country at under-19 and under-20 level.
References
- 1 2 3 4 "Ross County sign former Motherwell winger Darren Smith". BBC Sport. 23 July 2010. Retrieved 24 July 2010.
- ↑ "Darren Smith fighting fit for Ross County". Lanark Gazette. Johnston Press. 26 January 2011. Retrieved 8 December 2011.
- 1 2 "Darren Smith leaves the club". Motherwell F.C. Official Website. 11 May 2010. Retrieved 17 October 2011.
- ↑ Well Star Darren in Hip Op Hell, Scottish Sun, 25 Aug 2005.
- ↑ "Smith returns to Motherwell". Scottish Football League. 19 March 2010. Retrieved 19 March 2010.
- ↑ "Bar bill buys striker". Stirling Observer. 29 July 2010. Retrieved 17 October 2011.
- ↑ "Scottish Division Three ins and outs". BBC Sport. BBC. 7 August 2012. Retrieved 8 August 2012.