Paul Smith (footballer born 1979)

Paul Daniel Smith ( born December 17, 1979 in Epsom ) is an English football player who is under contract with the English fourth division Southend United since 2012.

Sports career

Brentford FC

Paul Smith started his professional career at Charlton Athletic. In the club from the East London but he was not used and therefore moved in 1999 to Carshalton Athletic unterklassigen a club from the south of London. In August 2000, Smith moved to Brentford FC, a club based in West London. Brentford played at this time in the third highest English division. Paul Smith came here for the first time regularly used and occupied with his new club at the end of the season ranked 14th out of 24 teams. The 2001/02 season was very successful for Brentford. At the end of the season the club was number 3, but missed in the subsequent play-off climb. In the following two seasons of Brentford FC was unable to repeat this achievement and found himself with positions 16 and 17 again in the lowlands of the league.

Southampton FC

Due to financial problems, the club was forced Paul Smith for sale in January 2004 for about £ 500,000 to the Southampton FC. Smith, however, could win a regular place, as Antti Niemi often given preference if the club Southampton.

Nottingham Forest

In July 2006, Paul Smith moved for about £ 500,000 to Nottingham Forest and there wrote a three-year contract. His first season 2006/ 07 he spent as a goalkeeper in the Football League One. At the end of the season Nottingham was ranked 4, with only 3 points behind the direct ascent 2nd place in the play-offs had to Forest FC Blackpool to defer. In the 2007 /08 season it succeeded with # 2 on the promotion to the Football League Championship. Paul Smith played under its a good season and was awarded the best goalkeeper in the league. With the start of the Football League Championship 2008/ 09 he played with it a major league higher. Before the start of the season he signed a new two -year contract. Already in October 2008, however, came Lee Camp on loan from league rivals Queens Park Rangers to Forest and displaced Paul Smith from his place between the posts. The new coach Billy Davies sat in the aftermath of the strong playing Camp, the Paul Smith in the 2009/10 season was only four competitive stakes. Nevertheless, he extended in the course of his contract until 2012.

On 8 March 2011, he moved on loan to league rivals FC Middlesbrough and played until the end of season ten league games for the second division.

Southend United

After his contract was not renewed in Nottingham, he joined on August 20, 2012 for the English fourth division Southend United.