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. In the 2001–02 season, Smith did not establish himself as a first-team regular, but in 2002–03 became a fans' favourite. 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. 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.
Career Early career 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. 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.
York City Smith had a two-match trial with Third Division club York City at the end of the 2000–01 season, impressing manager Terry Dolan. 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. 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. Having failed to establish himself as a first-team regular, Smith finished 2001–02 with 19 appearances for York.
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. 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. 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. 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. Smith was dropped for York's match against Scunthorpe on 9 March 2004 after failing to be vocal and organisational in defence in a 4–1 defeat away to Kidderminster three days earlier, which was expected of him due to Brass' absence. His return came in a 0–0 draw against Torquay on 13 March 2004, with Brass praising his performance. After York's relegation to the Conference National was confirmed in April 2004, it was announced that Smith would be released in the summer, despite having been verbally offered a new contract over a month before. He finished 2003–04 with 30 appearances.
Stafford Rangers Smith dropped into non-League football after signing for Conference North club Stafford Rangers in the summer of 2004. He suffered with a knee injury in September 2004 and had an operation in October. His debut came in a 3–2 home victory over Stalybridge Celtic on 14 December 2004, scoring his first goal with the winner in a 1–0 victory away to Moor Green on 19 April 2005. He finished 2004–05 with 23 appearances and one goal for Stafford.
Worcester City Smith joined Stafford's Conference North rivals Worcester City on 25 May 2005, manager Andy Preece calling him: "the best centre-half in the league by far". His debut came in the opening match of 2005–06, a 2–1 defeat away to Kettering Town on 13 August 2005, in which he performed impressively. He scored his first Worcester goal in a 2–1 home victory over Gainsborough Trinity on 20 August 2005, looping the ball over goalkeeper Jamie Holmshaw. Following this, Smith was described by the Worcester News as the team's "stand-out performer in the first eight days of the campaign". He missed Worcester's matches against Droylsden and Harrogate Town with an ankle injury sustained in a 2–2 away draw with Workington on 26 August 2005, making his return in a 1–0 home defeat by Hucknall Town on 10 September 2005. He played in a 1–0 home defeat by League One team Huddersfield Town in the FA Cup second round on 4 December 2005. Smith picked up an injury to his left knee during a 1–1 draw away to Stafford on 26 December 2005, with the bone bruising along with a tear to the posterior cruciate. He returned as a 79th-minute substitute in a 1–0 victory away to Northwich Victoria on 11 February 2006. Smith was made captain for the final match of the season, a 3–0 victory away to Worksop Town on 29 April 2006, and according to the Worcester News he "anchored his side expertly from the back". He made 40 appearances and scored four goals for Worcester in 2005–06.
Smith committed his future to the club over the summer of 2006 and captained the team during the 2006–07 pre-season. His first appearance of the season came in the opening match, a 1–0 victory away to Barrow on 12 August 2006, before scoring from inside the six-yard box in a 2–0 victory away to Worksop on 22 August. During August 2006, Smith started a spell of playing as a central midfielder after Des Lyttle moved into defence. After receiving his fifth yellow card of the season in a 3–2 home defeat by Harrogate on 6 October 2006, he was suspended for Worcester's match against Hucknall on 21 October 2006. He signed a new one-and-a-half-year contract with Worcester in December 2006, contracting him to the club until the summer of 2008. Smith received a two-match suspension after picking up his 10th booking of the season in a 3–1 home win over Hinckley United on 20 January 2007. This meant he missed matches against Welling United and Scarborough, before scoring on his return in a 3–3 home draw with Vauxhall Motors on 12 February 2007. He missed a match against Alfreton Town on 9 April 2007 to rest an ankle, despite playing through some previous matches with this complaint. Smith returned in the following match, a 2–1 home win over Worksop on 14 April 2007, as a 69th-minute substitute, despite not being fully fit. He completed 2006–07 with 47 appearances and five goals, and was named Worcester's Player of the Year. Throughout the season, he often deputised as captain when Lyttle was absent.
Smith took over as Worcester captain full-time during the 2007–08 pre-season before suffering an ankle injury in July 2007. Despite being doubtful to recover from this injury in time to play in the first match of the season, he started as Worcester were beaten 2–0 away by Hyde United on 11 August 2007. He suffered a hamstring injury and a recurrence of the ankle injury during this match, meaning he missed Worcester's match against Hinckley on 13 August 2007. He was due to be rested for the following match, a 2–1 defeat away to Burscough on 18 August 2007, but was brought on as a half-time substitute for the injured Adam Burley. His first goal of the season came after heading low into the goal for Worcester's second in a 3–1 home victory over Leigh RMI on 15 September 2007. After receiving his fifth yellow card of the season in a 2–1 home win over Stalybridge on 10 November 2007, he was suspended for Worcester's match away to Guiseley in the FA Trophy third qualifying round. Smith was sent off for the first time as a Worcester player after being the last man when pulling back Jason Walker when he was through on goal during a 1–1 home draw with Barrow on 1 December 2007. This resulted in him being suspended for Worcester's match against Boston on 15 December 2007. He returned in the next match, a 1–0 victory away to Harrogate on 22 December 2007.