page_title: Chris Smith (footballer, born 1981)
section_title: Tamworth
hierarchical_section_title: Chris Smith (footballer, born 1981) / Career / Tamworth
caption_attribution_description: Chris Smith playing for Tamworth against Redditch United at the Lamb Ground, Tamworth on 25 August 2008 Originally uploaded under File:Smith, Chris.jpg at 19:58, 27 August 2008, but overridden at 02:33, 12 July 2009
context_page_description: Christopher Alan Smith is an English former professional footballer who played as a centre back in the Football League for York City.
  Smith started his career with Leeds United's youth system, but aged 15 joined Reading in their youth system. In 1999, he signed a professional contract, before joining Third Division club York City in 2001. In the 2001–02 season, Smith did not establish himself as a first-team regular, but in 2002–03 became a fans' favourite. However, 2003–04 saw York relegated to the Conference National, and after being released by the club he spent a season with Stafford Rangers in the Conference North. In 2005, Smith joined their divisional rivals Worcester City, and in 2006–07 was named the club's Player of the Year. After a third season at Worcester, in which he was captain, the club was re-allocated to play in the Conference South.
  Smith signed for Tamworth in 2008, winning the Conference North title in 2008–09, and thus promotion to the Conference Premier. After serving 2009–10 as captain, he signed for Tamworth's divisional rivals Mansfield Town in 2010.
context_section_description: Having not wanted to play in the Conference South following Worcester's re-allocation into this division, Smith signed for Conference North club Tamworth on 28 May 2008. Gary Mills, the Tamworth manager, had previously tried to sign him for Notts County and Alfreton Town. He made his Tamworth debut in a 1–1 draw with Droylsden on 9 August 2008, before scoring his first goal in a 2–1 victory away to King's Lynn on 21 October after the ball fell to him from a corner kick in a crowded penalty area. An undiagnosed groin problem meant Smith missed Tamworth's match against Hinckley on 26 December 2008, although he returned for the following match, a 5–1 defeat away to Gateshead on 11 January 2009. He was forced into a late withdrawal from Tamworth's match against Burton Albion in the Birmingham Senior Cup on 13 January 2009 after his groin problem reappeared during the warm-up. His return to the team came on 24 January 2009 in a 2–1 victory away to Hyde, during which he conceded a penalty kick after fouling Chris Simm. Smith finished 2008–09 with Tamworth winning the Conference North title, thus earning promotion to the Conference Premier. He was named the club's Players' Player of the Season, having made 42 appearances and scored two goals in the process. Following the confirmation of Tamworth's title victory, he said: "We deserved to win the league though – from day one really – and full credit to the lads because they have all been superb". Smith signed a new one-year contract with the club in June 2009.
  Following Martin Foster's departure, Smith was handed the Tamworth captaincy during the 2009–10 pre-season, which he described as a "massive honour". His first appearance of the season came in the opening match, a 1–1 draw away to Stevenage Borough on 8 August 2009. Smith's first goal of the season came after scoring a powerful header in a 2–1 home victory over Wrexham on 25 August 2009. In October 2009, he paid tribute to the defensive partnership he had struck up with Michael Briscoe, saying: "Football is about partnerships on the pitch, having trust in team-mates and good understandings and we seem to have one." Smith suffered a heel injury in October 2009, while also having a hernia problem that possibly needed an operation. After having a hernia operation, he was expected to be ruled out for a long-term period, but returned two weeks later in the following match, a 3–1 home win over Chester City on 14 November 2009. He was handed a one-match suspension after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season in a 0–0 home draw with Forest Green Rovers on 28 December 2009, meaning he missed Tamworth's match against Oxford United on 16 January 2010. His return came in a 0–0 draw away to Gainsborough in the FA Trophy second round on 19 January 2010. After receiving a yellow card in a 1–0 defeat away to Histon on 9 March 2010, he was given a two-match suspension, returning in a 2–0 away defeat by Cambridge United on 24 March. He scored from close range in the 82nd minute for Tamworth's equalising goal in his first match against York since leaving the club, which finished a 1–1 away draw on 27 March 2010. Smith made 38 appearances and scored four goals in 2009–10.
caption: Smith playing for Tamworth in 2008
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