Ben Smith (midfielder)

:"For other people of the same name, see Ben Smith"Football player infobox
playername = Ben Smith
fullname = Benjamin Peter Smith


height = height|metres=1.75
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1978|11|23
cityofbirth = Chelmsford
countryofbirth = England
currentclub = Hereford United
clubnumber = 8
position = Attacking midfielder
youthyears = 199?–1995
youthclubs = Arsenal
years = 1995–1996
1996–1998
1998–2001
2001–2002
2002–2004
2004–2006
2006–2007
2007–
clubs = Arsenal
Reading
Yeovil Town
Southend United
Hereford United
Shrewsbury Town
Weymouth
Hereford United
caps(goals) = 000 0(0)
001 0(0)
113 (15)
001 0(0)
052 (18)
024 0(4)
044 (13)
069 0(6)
pcupdate = 10:27, 21 September 2008 (UTC)

Benjamin Peter "Ben" Smith (born November 23 1978 in Chelmsford, Essex) is an English footballer who currently plays for Hereford United as a midfielder.

Career

He began his career at Arsenal where he signed his first professional contract for the 1995-96 season but never made a first team appearance, although he made 29 appearances and scored 4 goals for the youth team. [ [http://www.arseweb.com/95-96/youth_stats96.html Arsenal youth team appearances 1995/96] Arseweb.com. Retrieved on 27 June 2008.]

He moved to Reading in 1996 and made his senior debut on the final day of the 1996-97 season, coming on as a substitute in a 3-2 away defeat at Manchester City. This turned out to be his only first team appearance for the Royals and he moved to Yeovil Town in March 1998.

Smith became a fans favourite at Huish Park and, despite being transfer listed in his second season, remained with the club until 2001. [ [http://archive.falmouthpacket.co.uk/2001/6/14/43834.html Smith joins ex-boss Webb] Falmouth Packet, 7 June 2001. Retrieved on 27 June 2008.] Smith had played a key role in Yeovil's challenge for promotion to the Football League, but an agreed new contract offer was withdrawn when manager Colin Addison was sacked. Smith moved to Southend United on a free transfer, joining his former manager David Webb. [ [http://archive.gazette-news.co.uk/2001/6/6/180721.html Smith's fury at Yeovil reversal] The Gazette, 6 June 2001. Retrieved on 27 June 2008.]

He struggled to make an impact in his solitary season at Roots Hall and left for Hereford United, for whom he made 52 league appearances and scored 18 goals in a two-season-long spell. An injury to his shoulder meant he required an operation in March 2004, shortly before joining Shrewsbury Town. He made 24 league appearances for the Shropshire club. He joined Weymouth in January 2006, playing a significant role in the run in to the Conference South championship.

Weymouth's first Conference match in 17 years saw Smith score the opening goal, in the first minute against Tamworth. He went on to play in every first team match for the Terras up until the turn of the year, when he scored twice in a 3-2 defeat to Forest Green which turned out to be his last match for the club. The entire Weymouth squad had been transfer listed, due to financial problems, even though Smith had only recently signed a contract extension until 2009. Five league clubs expressed an interest in signing the Weymouth captain, and on 25 January 2007, Weymouth confirmed that he had rejoined Hereford United for £20,000 on a 2 and a half year contract. This was the first transfer fee that the Bulls had paid since the signing of Neil Grayson in 1997.

Smith made an impact on his return to Edgar Street against Notts County, hitting the post in the build up to the first goal and providing the assist for the second goal. He went on to play in all Hereford's remaining matches of the 2006-07 season, scoring at home to Barnet in the process. He also wore the captain's armband in many of the matches.

Smith has been a virtual ever-present this season and has been Hereford's best player in recent weeks, as noted by Graham Turner. He capped his performances with his third goal of the season against Lincoln City. This match was also his 100th competitive appearance for the club.

Career statistics

References

External links

* [http://www.herefordunited.co.uk/Player?playerId=835465 Official Hereford United Profile]