|
Personal Stats
DOB: October 1980
Birthplace: Rothwell
Height: 5'8"
Profile
He may have dreamed of his Leeds United debut a hundred times, but for Alan Smith reality surpassed his wildest dreams, when, just three weeks on from his 18th birthday, he scored with his first touch in senior football, in front of the Anfield Kop to level the scores in a game United went on to win 3 -1 on Saturday the 14th November 1998.
Smithy then went on to establish himself as Jimmy Hasselbaink's first choice striking partner and scored nine goals in just sixteen starts, to earn himself a lucrative five year contract in May 1999.
However his 1999/00 campaign was more of a stop start season, when after injuring his ankle in a pre-season friendly his form dipped and in the end more than often had to settle for a place on the bench.
Now having had an operation on his troublesome injury, the Leeds born youngster will hope for a change of fortune next time around.
Alan had joined United's centre of excellence at the age of 10 and went on to attend the National Centre of Excellence at Lilleshall, where he represented England at U-16 level.
Within weeks of joining Leeds on a full time basis as a trainee, informed whispers suggested potentially he could be something special, as he allied a deadly eye for goal with a real aggression and a desire unusual in one so slight of stature.
That ability was recognised with selection by Howard Wilkinson for the England U-18 set up, and indeed had an England youth tournament not been cancelled in Israel, because of worries over a outbreak of violence in the Middle East, on the same weekend that Leeds went to Anfield, Smith would not have made his sensational bow after coming on as a 78th minute substitute for Clyde Wijnhard.
Alan had only played a handful of reserve games, and never even made the bench before he made his dramatic impact at Anfield, but after the appointment of David O'Leary in October 1998, the Rothwell born striker was one of several youngsters to benefit from the Irishman's belief in talent rather than reputations, as he blooded kids at the expense of first team regulars.
Smithy's debut came only a month after that of Johnny Woodgate at centre back, 18 year old Steve McPhail was given an extended run in midfield by O'Leary, at the same time as 19 year old keeeper Paul Robinson made his bow in goal, and hopes rose that Leeds United may be on the verge of something special, as the group of youngsters coming through as the fruit of the long term policy set up by Howard Wilkinson in 1998 showed real potential.
There have been too many false dawns seen before over young players hailed as stars of the future, only for them two or three years later to be found plying their trade in the lower divisions, to predict with any certainty that Alan Smith will be as good as a large number of people on the Elland Road staff feel he is going to be.
However the sheer numbers of those people inside Thorp Arch who have an inkling that in the little lad from Rothwell, Leeds United have got a little gem of a player, may mean that this time around Leeds have the genuine article.
Career Stats:
Squad No. 17
Position: Forward
Date Signed: October 1997
Signed from: Trainee
Transfer fee: None
International Honours: England U-16/U-18/U-21
Previous Clubs: None
|
|
