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Slipped Through the Net: David Smith

By: Richard Lord
Date: 01/04/2003

IN an exclusive interview as part of The Fishy's new "Slipped Through the Net" series, Richard Lord caught up with David Smith to talk about his time at Blundell Park.

Introduction
David Smith arrived at the club as a left-sided midfielder and immediately displaced Kingsley Black from the side. He scored a cracking 25-yard drive on his debut for Town in the 4-0 win over Brentford. His versatility was also on show for all to see when he covered at left back in emergencies.

Smith was another signing during the summer that got a chance to play at Wembley. Against Bournemouth in the Auto Windscreen Shield he started on the left of midfield before dropping back to left back to allow for Black's introduction. He also played against Northampton in the Play-Off final.

Town's first season back in Division One featured Smith quite heavily. He hit five goals that season, including a couple of stunning strikes and a couple of fortuitous ones. In a game at QPR his first-time volley smacked against the bottom of the post before rebounding against the back of the keepers' head before rolling over the line.

Smith presented a certain symmetrical pattern to Town's play. His skill on the left was mirrored perfectly by Donovan on the right and the two combined well down the flanks to create plenty of openings for the strikers.

Smith was, on his day, a tricky player to contain if you were a full back in the opposing team. Injuries got in his way towards the end of his Town career. He was out of the team from the start of the 2002/3 season and only began to establish himself back in the fold when he deputised for the suspended Tony Gallimore at left back.

Smith scored the fifth goal in Town's crucial 5-2 victory over Crystal Palace before injury struck again three days later down at Gillingham where he was carried off after only five minutes. The injury brought a premature end to Smith's season and with his contract up in the summer, he was not offered new terms.

David Smith relocated to Swansea during the summer months but at the age of 34 and with a new manager at the helm of the Vetch Field, Smith was displaced and is now contemplating a career outside of football.

Next: David Smith Interview

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