Graeme Smith (footballer, born 1983)

Graeme Meldrum Smith (born 8 June 1983) is a Scottish former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper. He is currently employed as the goalkeeping coach at Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic.

Not to be confused with Graeme Smith (footballer, born 1982).

Graeme Smith
Smith playing for Motherwell
Personal information
Full name Graeme Meldrum Smith[1]
Date of birth (1983-06-08) 8 June 1983[1]
Place of birth Edinburgh, Scotland
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Team information
Current team
 Bonnyrigg Rose (goalkeeping coach)
Youth career
1999–2003 Rangers
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2003–2005 Rangers 0 (0)
2003–2004 → Ross County (loan) 20 (0)
2005–2009 Motherwell 127 (0)
2009–2010 Brighton & Hove Albion 6 (0)
2010–2011 Hibernian 16 (0)
2011–2012 Gabala 7 (0)
2012–2013 Partick Thistle 6 (0)
2013 Ayr United 15 (0)
2013–2018 Brechin City 165 (0)
2018–2022 Stenhousemuir 64 (0)
2022 → Berwick Rangers (loan) 0 (0)
Total 426 (0)
International career
2004–2005 Scotland U21[2] 8 (0)
2007 Scotland B 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Smith started his career at Rangers, later playing for Ross County, Motherwell, Brighton, Hibernian, Gabala, Partick Thistle, Ayr United, Brechin City, Stenhousemuir and Berwick Rangers.

Career

Smith was born in Edinburgh.[1] He started his career with Rangers but failed to make an appearance for the club. During his time at Ibrox, Smith spent the 2003–04 season on loan to Scottish First Division side Ross County.

Motherwell

On 25 June 2005, Smith signed for Motherwell.[3] During four seasons at Fir Park, Smith made 127 SPL appearances for Motherwell. Smith was included in the Scotland squad to face the Faroe Islands and Lithuania in Euro 2008 qualifiers played in September 2006, but he did not play in either game.[4] Smith made one appearance for the Scotland B team during this time, playing in a 1–1 draw with the Republic of Ireland B team in November 2007.[5] He was part of the Motherwell side that finished third in the SPL in the 2007–08 season, qualifying for the 2008–09 UEFA Cup.

Brighton & Hove Albion

On 1 July 2009, Smith transferred to English League One side Brighton & Hove Albion, signing a two-year contract.[6] However, he conceded five goals on his debut, coming as a substitute after the regular goalkeeper Michel Kuipers had been sent off, as Brighton lost 7–1 at Huddersfield. Smith went on to make nine further appearances for Brighton.

Hibernian

Smith returned to the SPL on 1 January 2010 by signing for Hibernian on a free transfer.[7] He immediately took possession of the goalkeeper position at Hibs, as manager John Hughes sought to put a "goalkeeping school" in place.[8] Smith was involved in a remarkable game towards the end of the 2009–10 season, as he conceded six goals against his former club Motherwell, the match finishing drawn 6–6.[9] Smith eventually fell behind Mark Brown and Graham Stack in the selection order under the management of Colin Calderwood and was released by the club in April 2011.[10] He had made only 16 league appearances during his 15 months with the club.[10]

Gabala

Smith was invited by Tony Adams to train with Azerbaijan Premier League club Gabala in July 2011.[11][12] Smith signed a one-year contract with Gabala after a pre-season tour of England.[13] He made his debut for Gabala in an Azerbaijan Cup tie against Neftchala, in which they won 3–0. Smith made his league debut on 7 March in a 3–2 defeat against Kəpəz.[14] On 17 May, Smith's contract was not renewed by Gabala.[15]

Return to Scotland

Smith trained with Dunfermline, in his native Scotland, in July 2012.[16] On 13 November 2012, he signed a 9-week deal with Scottish First Division club Partick Thistle.[17] Smith scored an own goal in his debut appearance for Thistle, a 1–0 defeat against Hamilton on 16 November.[18] He left the club at the end of his contract.

Smith signed a contract with Ayr United in February 2013 for the remainder of the season.[19][20]

Brechin City

On 3 July 2013, Smith signed for Scottish League One side Brechin City.[21] He signed a new two-year contract on 19 May 2014.[22]

On 21 November 2015, Smith travelled to the Ochilview ground for the away game against Stenhousemuir. Unfortunately for him, the match was actually a home fixture for Brechin, 83 miles away. He did make it in time to play, but the side lost 2–1.[23]

Smith extended his contract with Brechin City for another year on 1 June 2016.[24] After five year with Brechin, Smith left Glebe Park at the end of the 2017–18 season.[25]

Stenhousemuir

On 22 May 2018, Smith signed a two-year contract with Scottish League One side Stenhousemuir.[26] On 22 April 2022, Smith joined Lowland League side Berwick Rangers on an emergency loan for the remainder of the 2021–22 season.[27]

Career statistics
As of match played 24 October 2020
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup League cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Rangers 2003–04 Scottish Premier League 0000000000
2004–05 0000000000
Total 0000000000
Ross County (Loan) 2003–04 Scottish First Division 200100000210
Motherwell 2005–06[28] Scottish Premier League 300103000340
2006–07[29] 240301000280
2007–08[30] 360303000420
2008–09[31] 37030102[lower-alpha 1]0430
Total 127010080201470
Brighton & Hove Albion 2009–10[32] League One 6030001[lower-alpha 2]0100
Hibernian 2009–10[32] Scottish Premier League 120300000150
2010–11[33] 4010001[lower-alpha 1]060
Total 160400010210
Gabala 2011–12[34] Azerbaijan Premier League 7010000080
Partick Thistle 2012–13[34] Scottish First Division 6010000070
Ayr United 2012–13[35] Scottish League One 150000000150
Brechin City 2013–14[36] Scottish League One 31030101[lower-alpha 3]0360
2014–15[37] 35040104[lower-alpha 4]0440
2015–16[38] 34010101[lower-alpha 3]0370
2016–17[39] 34010406[lower-alpha 5]0450
2017–18[40] Scottish Championship 31020401[lower-alpha 3]0380
Total 16501101101302000
Stenhousemuir 2018–19[41] Scottish League One 35030303[lower-alpha 6]0440
2019–20[42] Scottish League Two 27010303[lower-alpha 3]0340
2020–21[43] 2000000020
Total 640406060800
Career total 43603502502305090
  1. Appearances in the Europa League
  2. Appearance in the Football League Trophy
  3. Appearances in the Scottish Challenge Cup
  4. Two appearances in the Scottish Challenge Cup and two in the Championship play-offs
  5. Two appearances in the Scottish Challenge Cup and four in the Championship play-offs
  6. One appearance in the Scottish Challenge Cup and two in the League Two play-offs

Honours
Rangers

Notes

    References
    1. "Graeme Smith". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
    2. "Scotland U21 Player Graeme Smith Details". fitbastats.com. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
    3. "Keeper Smith Moves to Motherwell". BBC Sport. 25 June 2005. Retrieved 28 June 2009.
    4. "Hibernian make New Year signing". Hibernian F.C. 1 January 2010. Archived from the original on 4 January 2010.
    5. "Scotland B 1–1 Rep of Ireland B". BBC Sport. 20 November 2007. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
    6. Goalkeeper Signs Archived 4 August 2009 at the Wayback Machine, Seagulls World, 1 July 2009. Retrieved 1 July 2009
    7. "Hibs snap up Smith". Sky Sports. 1 January 2010. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
    8. Hardie, David (1 February 2010). "Keeper deal ends Hibs' transfer bids". Edinburgh Evening News. Archived from the original on 3 February 2010. Retrieved 7 February 2010.
    9. Bathgate, Stuart (8 May 2010). "John Hughes claims Rob Jones would have prevented Hibs' 6–6 'defeat'". The Scotsman. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
    10. "Goalkeeper Graeme Smith departs Hibs". BBC Sport. 19 April 2011. Retrieved 19 April 2011.
    11. Hardie, David (20 June 2011). "Graeme Smith looks east for life after Hibs". Edinburgh Evening News. Archived from the original on 28 June 2011. Retrieved 21 June 2011.
    12. Parks, Gordon (23 June 2011). "Players must look further afield for employment now, admits freed Hibs keeper Graeme Smith as he ponders move to Azerbaijan". Daily Record. Glasgow. Retrieved 26 August 2011.
    13. Burns, Scott (26 August 2011). "England legend Tony Adams lures Graeme Smith to Azerbaijan". Daily Express. Northern and Shell Media Publications. Retrieved 26 August 2011.
    14. "Kapaz -Gabala 3–2". Gabala FC. 7 March 2012. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
    15. "Five more players leave Gabala". Gabala FC. 18 March 2012. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
    16. "Smith in goal for Pars". Dunfermline Athletic F.C. 12 July 2012. Archived from the original on 20 April 2013. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
    17. "Thistle Sign Goalkeeper". Partick Thistle F.C. 13 November 2012. Archived from the original on 17 November 2012. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
    18. Macdonald, Kenny (17 November 2012). "Hamilton 1 Partick Thistle 0: Partick Thistle's ham-fisted debut goalie costs them match with own goal". Daily Record. Retrieved 17 November 2012.
    19. "Graeme Smith Signs Until End of the Season". Ayr United F.C. 14 February 2013. Retrieved 14 February 2013.
    20. "Graeme Smith signs for Ayr until end of season". The Scotsman. Johnston Publishing. 14 February 2013. Retrieved 17 February 2013.
    21. "Latest Signing". Brechin City F.C. 3 July 2013. Retrieved 7 September 2013.
    22. "Graeme Smith Stays On". Brechin City F.C. 19 May 2014. Retrieved 27 July 2014.
    23. "Brechin goalkeeper turns up at wrong ground for game". BBC Sport. 21 November 2015. Retrieved 21 November 2015.
    24. "Buzz Staying On". Brechin City F.C. 1 June 2016. Retrieved 30 December 2016.
    25. Hood, Grant (9 May 2018). "Brechin City squad news". Brechin City F.C. Retrieved 10 May 2018.
    26. "Another new face joins the Warriors". Stenhousemuir FC. 22 May 2018. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
    27. @StenhousemuirFC (22 April 2022). "Squad Update" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
    28. "Games played by Graeme Smith in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 November 2017.
    29. "Games played by Graeme Smith in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 November 2017.
    30. "Games played by Graeme Smith in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 November 2017.
    31. "Games played by Graeme Smith in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 November 2017.
    32. "Games played by Graeme Smith in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 November 2017.
    33. "Games played by Graeme Smith in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 November 2017.
    34. Graeme Smith at Soccerway. Retrieved 30 December 2016.
    35. "Games played by Graeme Smith in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 November 2017.
    36. "Games played by Graeme Smith in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 November 2017.
    37. "Games played by Graeme Smith in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 November 2017.
    38. "Games played by Graeme Smith in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 November 2017.
    39. "Games played by Graeme Smith in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 November 2017.
    40. "Games played by Graeme Smith in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 November 2017.
    41. "Games played by Graeme Smith in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
    42. "Games played by Graeme Smith in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
    43. "Games played by Graeme Smith in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
    This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.