Alex Smithies

Alexander Smithies (born 5 March 1990) is an English professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Championship club Cardiff City. Smithies is a product of the Huddersfield Town academy who first came into prominence during the 2007–08 season. He joined Queens Park Rangers in 2015 where he played for three years before joining Cardiff City.

Alex Smithies
Smithies playing for Queens Park Rangers 2016
Personal information
Full name Alexander Smithies[1]
Date of birth (1990-03-05) 5 March 1990[2]
Place of birth Huddersfield, England
Height 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)[3]
Playing position(s) Goalkeeper
Club information
Current team
 Cardiff City
Number 12
Youth career
1998–2007 Huddersfield Town
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2007–2015 Huddersfield Town 247 (0)
2015–2018 Queens Park Rangers 107 (0)
2018– Cardiff City 30 (0)
National team
2005–2006 England U16 4 (0)
2005–2007 England U17 9 (0)
2007 England U18 1 (0)
2009 England U19 1 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 07:44, 23 July 2020 (UTC)

Early life

Smithies was born in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire.[4] He grew up in Golcar, in the Colne Valley area of Huddersfield. He attended Colne Valley High School, Linthwaite. He grew up supporting Huddersfield Town. Smithies previously played football for Westend Juniors in Huddersfield's local leagues, and he joined the Huddersfield Town academy at the age of 8.[5]

Club career

Huddersfield Town

Early seasons 2007–2009
Smithies with Huddersfield Town after the 2012 League One play-off Final

Having come through the Academy of the club he grew up supporting, Smithies made his first-team debut on 5 December 2007. He came on as a 76th-minute substitute for the red-carded Matt Glennon during Huddersfield Town's 4–1 defeat by Southend United at Roots Hall. His first full start came in the 4–0 defeat at Leeds United on 8 December, after Glennon lost an appeal against his dismissal and Town were refused permission to loan an emergency goalkeeper on the grounds that Smithies was registered as a professional.

Smithies' first appearance at the Galpharm Stadium for a first-team match was on 6 December 2008. In this match, caretaker manager Gerry Murphy dropped regular goalkeeper Matt Glennon in favour of the young custodian, who went on to help Huddersfield to a 2–1 victory over Walsall. The first clean sheet he kept for the club came on 13 December 2008. In the 1–0 win over Southend United, Smithies saved a penalty from James Walker, 10 minutes from time. Smithies became the first choice keeper for the remainder of the 2008–09 season and, after the arrival of manager Lee Clark, made the number one jersey his own.

2009–10 season and first team

Throughout the 2009–10 season, Smithies was the only player to play in each and every league and cup match for Huddersfield. He made 48 starts, 17 of which resulted in a clean sheet for the Terriers. His contribution in helping Huddersfield to a final position inside the League One playoffs was reflected by him winning the club's Young Player of the Year Trophy.[6]

In conceding just 56 goals in such a competitive campaign, he won both praise and admiration from many quarters; earning the Football League's 'Young Player of the Month' award in February 2010 along the way. On 17 November 2009 Smithies was linked with Stoke City after a scout from the club was the latest in a long string of Premier League interest to be seen at the Galpharm. This interest was played down by Lee Clark and Tony Coton, and Smithies insisted he was happy to be at Huddersfield.[7] Smithies was named as the Football League Young Player of the Month for February 2010 after keeping three clean sheets in seven undefeated Huddersfield Town matches.[8]

2010–11 season

Smithies' 2010–11 campaign was punctuated by injury, restricting him to just 27 appearances in all competitions throughout the season. His performances, on the occasions he did play, earned him a call up to the England under-21 squad, although he was unable to play – again due to injury.

In January 2011, he was linked with a £1.5m move to Aston Villa, after Villa manager Gérard Houllier was said to have been impressed with his performance against Sheffield Wednesday.[9]

Further speculation relating to his future at the club followed Huddersfield's 3–0 defeat against Peterborough United in the League One play-off final, and he was linked with a move to Leicester City, along with teammate Lee Peltier.[10] However, when Leicester had a bid for Kasper Schmeichel accepted by Leeds United in June, speculation that Smithies could be heading for Leeds was rejected by Huddersfield chief executive Nigel Clibbens.[11]

2011–12 season and promotion

Smithies' absence from the squad during 2010–11 through injury allowed Ian Bennett to become first choice goalkeeper, backed up by fellow veteran Nick Colgan. His injury meant he remained sidelined for the first half of the season, and had to wait until 14 February 2012 to make his first appearance in the 2011–12 campaign. This came in the 1–0 home defeat to Sheffield United, a result which would cost manager Lee Clark his job the following day.[12] This was followed by his first clean sheet of the campaign in Huddersfield's 2–0 home win over Exeter City on 25 February 2012.[13] During the second leg League One play-off match against Milton Keynes Dons he came on as a substitute for Bennett, who had gone off with an injured hand. Town lost the match 2–1 but reached the final against Sheffield United 3–2 on aggregate.[14] Smithies started in the final, which finished 0–0 thanks to some excellent saves from the young custodian. In the penalty shoot-out Smithies performed more heroics, saving three of the Sheffield penalties. After 10 penalties each, the sides were still inseparable, and Smithies and opposite number Steve Simonsen stepped up to take the next penalties for their sides. Smithies scored in emphatic fashion, before Simonsen put his penalty over the bar to give promotion to the terriers.[15]

2012–13 season

On 17 August 2012, Smithies began his debut season in the Championship with Huddersfield in a 1–0 away defeat at eventual league winners Cardiff City.[16][17] He went on to start all 46 of Huddersfield's Championship fixtures, as well as all but one of the club's five cup matches during the season, conceding 79 goals in the process.

2013–14 season

Smithies started his second season in the Championship how he started his first, by starting all Huddersfield's opening eleven fixtures in all competitions, conceding 10 goals during that time. On 25 September 2013, Smithies agreed a new one-year contract extension at the club, keeping him at the John Smith's Stadium at least until the summer of 2016, with the Club having the option for a further year to June 2017.[18]

2014–15 season

Smithies started his third season in the Championship as first choice goalkeeper, ahead of Joe Murphy. He conceded four goals on the opening day in a 4–0 home defeat to Bournemouth, but did save a penalty. The match would prove to be manager Mark Robins' last for the club.

Queens Park Rangers

On 20 August 2015, Smithies joined Queens Park Rangers for an undisclosed fee, signing a three-year deal.[19]

2015–16 season

Smithies was initially the backup goalkeeper to Rob Green. Due to a clause in his contract, Green did not play from 1 January 2016 to the end of the season.[20] Smithies and Matt Ingram vied for the number 1 spot. He played 18 Championship matches that season.

2016–17 season

Smithies QPR's first choice goalkeeper for the 2016–17 season. He was in inspired form making 46 appearances and keeping 7 clean sheets. Smithies won the QPR player's player of the season, supporters' player of the season and the Junior Hoops players of the season.[21]

Cardiff City

Smithies signed for newly promoted Premier League club Cardiff City on 28 June 2018 on a four-year contract for an undisclosed fee.[22] He made his debut in a 3–1 League Cup loss to Norwich City on 28 August.[23]

Smithies made his league debut a year later, in a 2–1 win over Luton Town on 10 August 2019.[24]

International career

He has four caps for the England U-16's and 10 caps for the England U-17's including five during the 2007 FIFA U-17 World Cup in South Korea. In this competition he helped England U-17's make it to the Quarter-finals, before they were eventually eliminated by Germany after a 4–1 defeat.

On 20 November 2007, Smithies made his debut for the England U-18 team, where he played 45 minutes in their 2–0 win against Ghana U-18's at Gillingham's Priestfield Stadium. In November 2008, Smithies received his first England U-19 call up for a friendly against Germany U-19. His first match for the U19's came against Spain U-19 at Bournemouth's Dean Court ground on 10 February 2009, in a 3–0 defeat.

On 24 August 2010, Smithies received his first call-up to the England U-21's for their matches against Portugal U-21's and Lithuania U-21's.

Career statistics
As of match played 30 July 2020
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Huddersfield Town 2007–08[25] League One 2000000020
2008–09[26] League One 27000001[lower-alpha 1]0280
2009–10[27] League One 46030204[lower-alpha 2]0550
2010–11[28] League One 22020201[lower-alpha 1]0270
2011–12[29] League One 13000002[lower-alpha 3]0150
2012–13[30] Championship 4603010—500
2013–14[31] Championship 4602030—510
2014–15[32] Championship 4401000—450
2015–16[33] Championship 100000—10
Total 247011080802740
Queens Park Rangers 2015–16[33] Championship 1800010—190
2016–17[34] Championship 4600000—460
2017–18[35] Championship 4301000—440
Total 10701010—1090
Cardiff City 2018–19[36] Premier League 001010—20
2019–20[37] Championship 30030002[lower-alpha 4]0350
Total 300401020370
Career total 38401601001004180
  1. Appearance in Football League Trophy
  2. Two appearances in Football League Trophy, two in League One play-offs
  3. Appearances in League One play-offs
  4. Appearances in Championship play-offs

Honours

Huddersfield Town

Individual

References
  1. "Club list of registered players: As at 19th May 2018" (PDF). English Football League. p. 31. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  2. "Alex Smithies". ESPN FC. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  3. "Alex Smithies". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 28 December 2017.
  4. Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2010). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11. Edinburgh: Mainstream Publishing. p. 384. ISBN 978-1-84596-601-0.
  5. "Huddersfield Town Keeper Alex Smithies Invites The Examiner Round for a Cuppa". Huddersfield Examiner. 26 July 2009. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
  6. Archived 16 May 2010 at the Wayback Machine
  7. "Smithies happy at Huddersfield". Sky Sports.
  8. "Smithies claims Young Player prize". The Football League. 15 March 2010. Archived from the original on 26 July 2014.
  9. "Aston Villa are lining up a 1.5 million bid for Huddersfield's England Under-21 goalkeeper Alex Smithies". Daily Mirror. London. 12 July 2014. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
  10. Thomson, Doug (3 June 2011). "Alex Smithies and Lee Peltier could be set to leave Huddersfield Town". Huddersfield Examiner. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
  11. Hay, Phil (24 June 2011). "Leeds United: Smithies is a big asset insist Huddersfield Town". Yorkshire Evening Post. Leeds. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
  12. "Huddersfield Town 0–1 Sheffield United". BBC Sport. 14 February 2012. Retrieved 14 February 2012.
  13. "Huddersfield 2–0 Exeter". BBC Sport. 25 February 2012. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
  14. Woodcock, Ian (15 May 2012). "Hudd'field 1–2 MK Dons (agg 3–2)". BBC Sport. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
  15. Begley, Emlyn (26 May 2012). "Huddersfield 0–0 Sheff Utd". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 22 January 2016.
  16. "Cardiff 1–0 Huddersfield". BBC Sport. 17 August 2012. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
  17. "Burnley 1–1 Cardiff". BBC Sport. 20 April 2013. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
  18. Nelson, Dan (25 September 2013). "'Keeper signs one year contract extension". Huddersfield Town Football Club. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
  19. Nelson, Dan (20 August 2015). "QPR SIGN KEEPER ALEX SMITHIES". Retrieved 20 August 2015.
  20. "QPR not playing Rob Green because of contract clause". Sky Sports. 12 March 2016. Retrieved 12 March 2016.
  21. Taylor, Ian (28 April 2017). "Keeper Smithies scoops awards treble". Queens Park Rangers F.C. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  22. "Alex Smithies signs for the Bluebirds". Cardiff City F.C. 28 June 2018. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  23. "Cardiff City 1–3 Norwich City". BBC Sport. 28 August 2018. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
  24. "Cardiff City 2–1 Luton Town". BBC Sport. 10 August 2019. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
  25. "Games played by Alex Smithies in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 January 2017.
  26. "Games played by Alex Smithies in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 January 2017.
  27. "Games played by Alex Smithies in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 January 2017.
  28. "Games played by Alex Smithies in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 January 2017.
  29. "Games played by Alex Smithies in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 January 2017.
  30. "Games played by Alex Smithies in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 January 2017.
  31. "Games played by Alex Smithies in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 January 2017.
  32. "Games played by Alex Smithies in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 January 2017.
  33. "Games played by Alex Smithies in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 January 2017.
  34. "Games played by Alex Smithies in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 December 2017.
  35. "Games played by Alex Smithies in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
  36. "Games played by Alex Smithies in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
  37. "Games played by Alex Smithies in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 August 2019.
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