Matt Smith (footballer, born 1982)
Quick Facts
Biography
Matthew Terence "Matt" Smith (born 14 October 1982) is an English-born Australian football (soccer) player who plays for Bangkok Glass in the Thai League T1. Born in England, Smith emigrated to Australia where he started his professional football career with North Queensland Fury during the 2009/10 A-League season and then signed a two-year contract with Brisbane Roar at the start of the A-League 2010/11 season. He has played for the Australian national team.
Club career
Born in Chichester, England, Smith started his career playing University football in England, where he represented several different Universities before being signed by Championship club Portsmouth. Smith moved to Australia for one year in 2004 and returned in 2006, during which time he attended Hartpury College in Gloucestershire and completed his master's degree in Sports Management. He also captained the Hartpury senior side to the BUSA National Championship in 2007. He moved to Australia and played for Palm Beach before moving to Brisbane Strikers. He was signed on an injury replacement loan at North Queensland Fury to replace Scottish defender Scott Wilson.
Brisbane Roar
On 16 April 2010 it was announced that Smith joined the Brisbane Roar on a two-year deal after his contract with North Queensland expired due to ownership changes. On 6 September 2011, the Roar announced that Smith would replace departed midfielder Matt McKay as captain of the club. On 10 September 2012, Smith signed a new 3-year contract at the Roar, extending his stay until the end of the 2015/16 season.
Bangkok Glass
It was announced in December 2014 that Smith would leave the Brisbane Roar and join Bangkok Glass for an undisclosed fee.
Personal
Smith married Aicha Bendjelloul, a Muslim Algerian woman on May 17 in a civil ceremony in Brisbane, Australia. They then celebrated with family and friends by hosting a party on the Thai island of Koh Samui.
Together, they have 3 children Iyla, Ava and Owen. Smith is qualified with a BA Degree in Marketing and Leisure Management and a Masters in Sports Management from Hartpury College in Gloucestershire.
Honours
All including Brisbane Roar !Brisbane Roar:
- A-League Premiership: 2010–11, 2013–14
- A-League Championship: 2011, 2012, 2014
- A-League PFA Team of the Year: 2010–11, 2013–14
- Queensland State League Premiers 2009
- Great Britain: World University Games 2007: Bangkok
- BUSA Champions UWE Hartpury 2007
A-League statistics
| Club | Season | League1 | Cup | International2 | Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| North Queensland Fury !North Queensland Fury | 2009–10 | 11 | 0 | – | – | – | – | 11 | 0 |
| Total | 11 | 0 | – | – | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 | |
| Brisbane Roar !Brisbane Roar | 2010–11 | 33 | 2 | – | – | – | – | 33 | 2 |
| 2011–12 | 27 | 0 | – | – | 5 | 0 | 32 | 0 | |
| 2012–13 | 14 | 0 | – | – | 0 | 0 | 14 | 0 | |
| 2013–14 | 29 | 3 | – | – | – | – | 29 | 3 | |
| 2014–15 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | |
| Total | 106 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 112 | 6 | |
| Career Total | 117 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 123 | 6 | |
1 - includes A-League final series statistics
2 - includes FIFA Club World Cup statistics; AFC Champions League statistics are included in season commencing after group stages (i.e. ACL and A-League seasons etc.)