Andy Smith (footballer, born 1980)

Smith began his career in the Irish League First Division with Ballyclare Comrades, before he was signed by English First Division side Sheffield United in September 1999. He had a two-month loan spell at Second Division club Bury in December 2000. In total he played ten games for the "Blades" in the 2000–01 campaign, and also featured three times for the "Shakers". He struggled with ankle and shoulder injuries at Bramall Lane.[3] He was loaned out to Glenavon in November 2001, and scored three goals in 13 Irish League Premier Division games.

Smith returned to Northern Ireland on a permanent basis when he signed with Glentoran in February 2002, and scored two goals in ten league games in the remainder of the 2001–02 campaign.[3] He had a prolific 2002–03 season to help Glentoran win a treble (the league title, County Antrim Shield, and Irish League Cup), scoring 35 goals in all competitions, and was described as a "fans favourite" due to his "peroxide blonde" hair and "cheeky goal celebrations".[3][4] His goal tally included a 12-minute hat-trick in a 6–1 win over Institute on New Year's Eve.[5] He played in the League Cup final, a 2–0 win over Linfield at Windsor Park.[6] He scored a goal as Glentoran lifted the County Antrim Shield with a 3–0 victory over Ballymena United.[7] The "Glens" could have won a quadruple, but lost 1–0 Coleraine in the final of the Irish Cup after a shot from Jody Tolan deflected off Smith into the net.[8] He was sidelined from The Oval for a month with a knee injury, but managed to score seven goals in 23 league games in the 2003–04 campaign.[9] He helped Glentoran to win the Irish Cup in his final appearance for the club, as they beat Coleraine 1–0 to avenge their defeat the previous year.[10]

Smith returned to English professional football after he was signed by manager Craig Brown at Championship club Preston North End for an undisclosed fee (later reported to be £130,000[11]) in July 2004; his international teammate David Healy recommended the club to Smith.[12] He had been due to sign for Milton Keynes Dons when Preston hijacked the deal with a late bid to take him to Deepdale.[13] He featured in 17 games for the "Lambs" in the 2004–05 season, without scoring a goal. He was loaned out to League One club Stockport County in November 2004, who were managed by his former Northern Ireland boss Sammy McIlroy; Preston manager Billy Davies said he hoped the move would boost Smith's confidence levels.[14] However, he returned to Preston after playing just twice at Edgeley Park. He joined Scottish Premier League side Motherwell on loan in August 2005, and was described by manager Terry Butcher as "an enthusiastic type of player who always works his socks off".[15] He played nine matches for the "Steelmen" during the 2005–06 without scoring a goal at Fir Park.

He joined Cheltenham Town on loan in November 2006, which saw Cheltenham fans pay his wages as the club were in financial difficulties.[16] Manager John Ward said he was "really grateful to all the supporters who have come forward with the funds to make it happen".[17] However Smith made just three starts for the "Robins" before returning to Preston after three weeks after he refused to sit on the bench for an FA Cup first round replay at Scunthorpe United.[16] His Preston contract was cancelled by mutual consent in January 2007.[18] Smith joined Gary Johnson's Bristol City on a two-month contract on 23 February 2007.[19] He played 11 games in the remainder of the 2006–07 season, and left Ashton Gate after the "Robins" secured promotion into the Championship.

Despite failing to score a single goal in competitive football during his three years in England and Scotland, Smith remained an in demand player in Northern Ireland due to his record in the Irish leagues and his international caps.[20] He signed for Portadown in October 2007 after protracted negotiations due to his "excessive wage demands".[11] He showed "excellent scoring form" before he left the club two months later when his short-term contract ended.[21] He rejoined Portadown in February 2008, signing a contract running until the end of the 2009–10 season.[22] However, he refused to report for training after Portadown were relegated at the end of the 2008–09 season, and Portadown manager Ronnie McFall refused to release him from his contract.[23] Smith had a trial at League Two side Grimsby Town in July 2009.[24]

In July 2009, he signed a two-year contract with Ballymena United.[25] He was handed a six-match suspension after headbutting Newry City's Darren King on 3 December, which manager Roy Walker said was a "draconian punishment" for breaking an "outdated law" as "there was no contact between the players".[26] He scored six goals in 27 league games during the 2009–10 season and hit one goal in 19 league games throughout the 2010–11 campaign. He had his contract cancelled by mutual consent in April 2011, with manager Roy Walker claiming that Smith was planning to head to Vietnam.[27]

In August 2011, Smith signed for Belgian Third Division side Union Royale Namur. He left the club in February 2012.[28] On 30 August 2012, he signed with Michael Hughes's Carrick Rangers, but left the club the following day after accepting further trials with clubs in France and Belgium.[29] After joining former club Glentoran on trial in July 2013 to keep his fitness up, he signed for Crusaders on 2 January 2014 until the end of the 2013–14 season.[30] He was an unused substitute in the League Cup final defeat to Cliftonville.[31] He scored one goal for Crusaders, in a 2–1 win over Crumlin Star in the Irish Cup, before being released at the end of the season.[32]