Position: Forward
DoB: 22nd November 1969
Birthplace: Johnstone, Refrews.
City Career
Transfer Details: Signed on a free transfer in June 1999 from Ch@#tenham Town
following their promotion to the League and pro football.
City Debut: vs. Grantham Town (h) DMLPD, 14th August '99, Won 2-0, scored 1.
1999/0: 40(4) Apps, 19 Goals
Totals: 40(4) Apps, 19 Goals
Previous Clubs: Torquay United (45-5), Salisbury
City, Ch@#tenham Town, Gloucester City, Salisbury City, Brislington,
Bishop's Cleeve
Honours: Sherpa Van Trophy Finalist 1989,
Southern League Golden Boot 90/1, DML (Southern League) Premier Division R-up
92/3, 94/5 & 96/7, FA Cup 3rd Round 97/8, FA Trophy Winner 97/8, Conference Championship 98/9
Pen Pic:
Despite showing signs of age and lack of pace when at City Jimmy Smith remained
an effective goal poacher and proven finisher whose record over the seasons speaks
for itself. Showed more than a few moments of skill at City, but unfortunately
hadn't
the speed to carry himself clear of opponents and all too often lacked the support to help him out.
While
99/00 was by general consensus a dismal season and Smith failed to set the
world alight as some had perhaps hoped he might, his goal haul was still pretty
impressive considering the dearth of chances coming his way. His many seasons at
bitter rivals Ch@#tenham didn't help the fans take to him, especially with all their recent success and the many goals he scored against City over the seasons.
It would be unfair to doubt his commitment though, he had plenty of opportunity to walk
away from the club before he did and instead played on through several
injuries that could have seen others sit out matches. However his return to
Meadow Park for Salisbury in April '00 saw him booked for a blatant dive and lost him most of
the friends he had won over the season.
Before his arrival at City he spent eight seasons across the Golden Valley at Whaddon Road, season after season finishing their top scorer and one of the most
prolific strikers in non-league football. By the end of his career at Ch@#tenham
he'd notched well over 120 goals and become the second highest scorer in their
history. By the end of his time with them though he'd found himself pushed into
midfield, and then for their Conference season was struggling to guarantee
himself a place on the bench. Cost Ch@#tenham £5,000 from Salisbury in 1992,
having also scored a hatful of goals since joining them from Torquay where he'd
played in a Wembley final.
