Dominic James Smith (born 9 February 1996) is an English born footballer who plays as a defender for Alfreton Town. A product of the Shrewsbury Town youth system, he is eligible to play for Wales, for whom he has represented at Under−19 and Under−21 level.[4]

Dominic Smith

Dominic Smith pictured in 2016
Personal information
Full name	Dominic James Smith[1]
Date of birth	(1996-02-09) 9 February 1996 (age 26)[2]
Place of birth	Wellington, Shropshire, England[2]
Height	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)[3]
Position(s)	Defender
Club information
Current team	Alfreton Town
Youth career
0000−2014	Shrewsbury Town
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2014–2018	Shrewsbury Town	31	(0)
2014–2015	→ Tamworth (loan)	23	(1)
2016	→ Barrow (loan)	6	(0)
2017	→ Southport (loan)	23	(0)
2018–2019	AFC Telford United	25	(1)
2019	→ Alfreton Town (loan)	9	(0)
2019–	Alfreton Town	100	(4)
National team
2013–2015	Wales U19	13	(0)
2015–2016	Wales U21	3	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 19:30, 31 May 2019 (UTC)

Club career

Smith joined the Shrewsbury Town youth system at the age of seven,[5] and was allocated a squad number by manager Graham Turner in December 2012,[6] making the match-day squad for the first time in a League One home match against Brentford where he was an unused substitute in a goalless draw at the New Meadow.[7]

He signed his first professional contract in February 2014,[8] and spent most of the following season on loan at Conference North side Tamworth.[9] He made his senior debut on 4 October, playing in a 2–2 draw away to Guiseley in which he was given a yellow card in the 74th minute.[10] He made 23 league appearances for the Lambs and two more in the FA Cup, scoring the equaliser in a 2–2 home draw against North Ferriby United on 8 November.[11] His loan was extended on 31 December,[12] and he was recalled by Shrewsbury on 9 April 2015.[13]

Smith made his Football League and Shrewsbury debut in a 4–2 home win over Colchester United on 10 October 2015, playing the full 90 minutes.[5][14] Featuring regularly during the 2015–16 season, he signed a contract extension in March 2016, keeping him at the club until summer 2018.[15][16]

Early the following season, Smith joined National League side Barrow on loan until January 2017,[17] however he was recalled in October 2016 by new manager Paul Hurst due to an injury crisis at his parent club.[18]

After featuring only infrequently following his recall, Smith subsequently joined National League North side Southport on a half-season loan in July 2017.[19] Hurst hoped that Smith would "catch the eye" during this loan spell, in order for him to secure a future away from Shrewsbury, as he was out of the clubs plans.[20]

On his return to his parent club, he was released by mutual consent in March 2018,[21] going on to join local rivals AFC Telford United on a deal until the end of the season.[22] On 11 January 2019, Smith was loaned out to Alfreton Town for one month.[23] After playing five games for the club, it was announced on 13 February, that the loan deal had been extended until the end of the season.[24] However, Smith was recalled by Telford on 26 March 2019.[25]

He joined Alfreton on a permanent basis in summer 2019, signing a one-year deal.[26]

International career

Smith is eligible to represent Wales owing to his Welsh grandmother, and made his debut for the Under−19 squad in May 2013.[27] He was called up to the Under−21 squad for the first time in March 2015,[28] making his debut in the 54th minute of a 3–1 win over Bulgaria in Cardiff.[29] He won his second cap, and made his first start, for the Under−21 side in September 2016, playing the entirety of a 4–0 defeat against Denmark in a 2017 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying match.[30]

Style of play

Smith can play at either centre-back or right full-back.[31]

Personal life

Smith attended Belvidere School in Shrewsbury as a youngster.[5]

Career statistics

As of match played 7 May 2023

References

External links

• Profile at shrewsburytown.com
• Dominic Smith at Soccerbase