Phil Smith (footballer born 1979)

Infobox Football biography
playername = Phil Smith


fullname = Phillip Smith
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1979|12|14
cityofbirth = Harrow
countryofbirth = England
height = height|meters=1.9
position = Goalkeeper
currentclub = Swindon Town
clubnumber = 1
youthyears =
youthclubs = Millwall
years = 1998-2001
2001
2002
2002-2004
2004-2006
2006-
clubs = Millwall
Folkestone Invicta
Dover Athletic
Margate
Crawley Town
Swindon Town
caps(goals) = 05 (0)

13 (0)
64 (0)
73 (0)
52 (0)
nationalyears =
nationalteam =
nationalcaps(goals) =
pcupdate = 14:57, 07 October 2008 (UTC)
ntupdate =

Phillip Smith (born December 14, 1979 in Harrow, London) is an English professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Swindon Town.

Smith started his career as a youngster with Millwall before being released and falling into the Non-League with Folkestone Invicta followed by spells at Dover Athletic and Margate. He then became first choice at Crawley Town.

Crawley went into administration and made all of their players available for transfer. Despite being one of only five Crawley players to show for pre-season training, Smith signed for the Robins after a successful trial which included winning the Copa Ibiza friendly competition in the Summer of 2006.

First Team at Swindon Town FC

Smith's first role at Swindon was to challenge first choice Peter Brezovan for the goalkeepers jersey, a contest that was initiated by then Swindon boss Dennis Wise.

After Brezovan suffered a broken arm in home game against Grimsby Town on October 14, Smith was handed the goalkeeper's jersey. Extra competition was brought in for both Brezovan and Smith, in the form of Andy Lonergan, on loan from Preston North End.

He has been solid in goal ever since and picked up the PFA Fans Player of the Month for December which was presented on the January 27, before the home game against Macclesfield Town. Smith was also rewarded for his efforts, with a two year extension on his current contract, ensuring he had a future at the club, until 2009 at least. His heroics beween the sticks for the '06-'07 didn't go unnoticed by the fans, who named him their Player of the Season in May 2007.

Smith was made official No. 1 in the Summer of 2007, where he continued to impress the coaching panel at the club. He performed well in the opening match away to Northampton Town, where Swindon drew 1-1. He continued his outstanding performances, remaining first choice, and kept his first clean sheet of the season in the 5-0 thrashing of Gillingham at home, on the October 6.

External links

*soccerbase|id=36109|name=Phil Smith