Chris Smith

Christopher Alan Smith (born 30 June 1981) is an English former professional footballer who played as a centre-back in the Football League for York City.

Smith started his career with Leeds United's youth system, but aged 15 joined Reading in their youth system.

In 1999, he signed a professional contract, before joining Third Division club York City in 2001.

After being released by Leeds he joined Reading's youth system aged 15, spending three years as a trainee before signing a professional contract on 22 June 1999.

Smith had a two-match trial with Third Division club York City at the end of the 2000–01 season, impressing manager Terry Dolan.

In the 2001–02 season, Smith did not establish himself as a first-team regular, but in 2002–03 became a fans' favourite.

With him due to be released by Reading, Smith signed for York on 26 May 2001 on a two-year contract.

He made his first-team debut as a 75th-minute substitute for Matt Hocking in a 3–2 home defeat against Exeter City on 6 October 2001.

Smith made his first start for York in the following match, a 3–0 defeat away to Hartlepool United on 13 October 2001, Dolan describing his performance "as the one bright spot" from the match.

However, following York's 4–1 away defeat by Kidderminster Harriers on 23 October 2001, Dolan placed the blame on the team's inexperienced defence.

He did not feature in the team again until being recalled for an FA Cup first round 0–0 draw away to Colchester United on 17 November 2001.

According to the Evening Press, Smith gave a "near-faultless display" when York beat his former club Reading 2–0 at home in the FA Cup second round on 8 December 2001.

He was forced to miss the Christmas period with a virus, which resulted in him losing his place in the team, with Mike Basham, Gary Hobson and Hocking forming solid partnership.

Having failed to establish himself as a first-team regular, Smith finished 2001–02 with 19 appearances for York.

After being sent off for the first time in his career in a 3–0 defeat away to Rushden & Diamonds on 19 January 2002, he received a one-match suspension.

Smith was substituted at half-time in York's 1–1 away draw with Halifax Town on 12 February 2002 due to a tight hamstring, returning over two months later in a 3–0 home victory over Bristol Rovers on 16 April.

He started 2002–03 well, taking his place in the team due to injuries to other players.

He made his first appearance in the opening match, a 1–1 draw away to Macclesfield Town on 10 August 2002, with chairman John Batchelor claiming Smith had a "wonderful game and if we can get that sort of attitude from everyone in the team we won't have any problems".

Smith was dropped to the bench for a 1–1 home draw with Wrexham on 29 October 2002 due to a change in formation, having started every match in 2002–03 prior to this match, although he did play as a 48th-minute substitute.

He suffered a hamstring injury in early-November 2002, making his return in a 1–0 victory away to Rochdale on 23 November.

Smith received his first red card of 2002–03 for a second bookable offence in a 1–1 home draw with Hull City on 28 December 2002, resulting in a one-match suspension.

Smith finished 2002–03 with 39 appearances for York, and was described by the Evening Press as the "surprise star of the season".

Despite being in outstanding form and becoming a fans' favourite, he was not offered a new contract with York at the end of 2002–03 by Dolan, although he hoped to still to have a future at the club.

However, 2003–04 saw York relegated to the Conference National, and after being released by the club he spent a season with Stafford Rangers in the Conference North.

This meant he missed York's match against Torquay on 11 January 2003, and after a short spell on the sidelines returned in a 2–1 home win over Macclesfield on 2 February.

This decision was reversed by newly appointed player-manager Chris Brass, and Smith signed a new one-year contract in July 2003.

Smith underwent a hernia operation in the close-season, but due to swelling and bruising around the bone his return was delayed and was an unused substitute for York's first match of 2003–04.

He made his first appearance of the season as a second-half substitute for the injured Brass in a 2–0 defeat away to Bury on 30 September 2003, although Smith commented that: "It was my first appearance but unfortunately it was not one to remember".

Due to injuries to other players, his first start of 2003–04 came in a 2–1 defeat away to Halifax in the Football League Trophy first round Northern section on 14 October 2003.

This was followed by his first league start four days later in a 1–1 home draw with Boston, and York went on a seven-match unbeaten run in the league with Smith in defence alongside Brass and Richard Hope.

He received his fifth yellow card of the season in a 2–1 away win over Rochdale on 28 December 2003, meaning he was suspended for York's match against Northampton Town on 17 January 2004.

In 2005, Smith joined their divisional rivals Worcester City, and in 2006–07 was named the club's Player of the Year.

After a third season at Worcester, in which he was captain, the club was re-allocated to play in the Conference South.

Smith signed for Tamworth in 2008, winning the Conference North title in 2008–09, and thus promotion to the Conference Premier.

After serving 2009–10 as captain, he signed for Tamworth's divisional rivals Mansfield Town in 2010.

Later that year, he rejoined Conference Premier club York, initially on loan, and was immediately appointed captain.

Smith captained York to victory in the 2012 FA Trophy Final and 2012 Conference Premier play-off final, both staged at Wembley Stadium, the latter seeing the club promoted to League Two.

Having helped York avoid relegation in 2012–13, he fell out of favour the following season, joining Conference Premier club FC Halifax Town in 2014.

Smith spent 2014–15 with Alfreton Town, including a loan spell back at Tamworth.

Born in Derby, Derbyshire, Smith began his career in Leeds United's youth system as a schoolboy having been spotted playing for a local junior team in Derby.