ALAN Smith is identified to many as a Gunners legend and football icon.
Each on and off the pitch, Smith has made his mark on the game – from his profession to his household life, here is the whole lot it’s worthwhile to know.
1
Who is Alan Smith?
Alan Smith, born November 21, 1962, is a former skilled English footballer, co-commentator and occasional Sky Sports activities studio pundit.
Throughout his years on the football pitch, Smith performed for 3 completely different football golf equipment as a striker.
He made a complete of 464 appearances all through his profession.
Who did Alan Smith play for and when did he retire?
Smith began out his profession at Alvechurch in north-east Worcestershire in 1981 – the place he is now a patron of the membership.
He then signed a skilled contract with Leicester Metropolis in June 1982.
It was right here Smith scored 13 objectives throughout his first season in partnership with Gary Lineker.
Smith stayed on the membership for 5 seasons, racking up 84 objectives and 217 appearances.
Nevertheless, his time at Leicester Metropolis got here to finish when the membership have been relagated.
As one door shut, one other opened for Smith – who discovered himself signing for Arsenal for £850.000 in March 1987, however he was then loaned again to Leicester for the remainder of the season.
Smith was certainly one of former supervisor George Graham’s first main signings.
Regardless of having a promising begin after scoring a hat trick towards Portsmouth at Highbury, Smith endured a troublesome begin to his Arsenal profession.
At one level he went full two months with out scoring a single objective.
Regardless of a troublesome begin, Smith quickly discovered his ft and topped the golf equipment scoring charts in 4 of his first 5 seasons.
Smith’s time at Arsenal got here to an finish in 1995, however not with out leaving his mark.
He scored a variety of vital video games for Arsenal, together with the 1993–94 European Cup Winners’ Cup remaining and scored one objective in Arsenal’s decisive victory at Anfield in 1989.
He has additionally been ranked at twenty seventh inside the membership’s itemizing of the 50 biggest Gunners of all time.
All through his profession, Smith additionally discovered himself enjoying for his nation.
He gained his first full England cap towards Saudi Arabia on November 16, 1988.
His first objective got here towards Turkey within the Euro 1992 qualifying group match at Wembley in 1991.
The final of his 13 caps got here when he changed Gary Lineker within the 2–1 defeat by Sweden within the 1992 European Championship.
After forging a profitable football profession, Smith hung up his boots in July 1995.
His determination to finish his enjoying days got here after a knee damage compelled him to retire.
When did Alan Smith become a football commentator?
In 2011, the Arsenal legend returned to football as soon as extra – however this time as a commentator.
On 30 June 2011, EA Sports activities introduced that Smith would change Andy Grey as Martin Tyler’s accomplice in commentating on FIFA 12.
In 2015, Smith turned the common co-commentator for the Champions League competitors with Tyler – though he did not commentate on the ultimate.
The pair continued to commentate on the video games up till FIFA 20 – till they have been each lower from the gig for FIFA 21.
After the information was introduced, Smith stated: “Sure, gutted to not be concerned with @EASPORTSFIFA anymore. For Martin Tyler and myself, it was an honour to voice the sport for thus lengthy. However nothing lasts ceaselessly.”
Is Alan Smith married and does he have any kids?
Smith is married to his spouse, Penny.
The couple first met in 1981 when he was a teenage centre ahead and she was the daughter of the late Alvechurch vice-chairman, Allan Schofield.
Smith shares two daughters with Penny – Emily and Jess.
