Academy produced keeper who’s been number one since December 2008. The Huddersfield born Smithies first came to the fore when he made five appearances for the England U17’s team at the 2007 Under 17’s World Cup in South Korea (held between August and September) as England reached the Quarter-Finals. A couple of months after that tournament Alex made his U18’s debut in a 2-0 win over Ghana at Gillingham. Smithies made his first Town appearance as a sub following Matt Glennons sending off at Southend United in December 2007, with Town losing 1-4. The Football League refused Town an emergency loan keeper after Glennon lost his appeal, so Smithies made his full début at Leeds United the following Saturday. It would be almost another year before he’d appear for Town again, in the 1-0 defeat at Darlington in the Johnstones Paint Trophy in October 2008.  On 6th December 2008 Towns caretaker manager Gerry Murphy decided to drop first choice Matt Glennon and give Alex Smithies a run in the side. He made his first appearance for the England U19’s the following February in a 3-0 defeat to Spain at Bournemouth. In March of 2009, and with interest from Premiership scouts growing, he signed a new four year deal with the club until 2013.

Full Name: Alexander Smithies
Squad Number: 1
Born: Huddersfield – 5th March 1990
Age: 19
Height: 6′ 1″

Career Stats

Debut: Southend United V Town – 5th December 2007
Appearances: 84 (1)
Goals: 0
Caps: England Under 16’s (4), England Under 17’s (10), England Under 18’s (1), England Under 19’s (1)

Town Career

Signed: Academy
Contract Expiry: 2013
Debut: Southend United V Town – 5th December 2007
Appearances: 84 (1)
Goals: 0