*Indicates unconfirmed information. Figures in brackets after English team names indicate all appearances made and goals scored in competitive matches for Football League clubs from 1888 onwards. For Scottish League clubs the figures show details of all competitive appearances and goals scored from 1946/47 onwards.
Gary Smith
Appearances: 21+4 Goals: 0
Date / Year of birth: 17th April 1964
Position: Centre-back
Season of first appearance: 1986/87
Season of last appearance: 1987/88
Also played for: Herne Bay
Tall local defender who joined Thanet United for the 1985/86 season and played for the reserves throughout the campaign.
Gary stayed with United for 1986/87 and made his first team debut when he came on as a substitute in a 3-1 defeat at Canterbury on 18.11.86. On 1.1.87 he made his full debut when he replaced the injured Billy Plews at centre-back for a 3-1 win over Ashford at Hartsdown. The Thanet Times said that Gary "never put a foot wrong" and "completely blotted out Ashford's top marksman Darren Hare". Hare had had an unsuccessful spell at Thanet earlier in the season. The Isle of Thanet Gazette felt that Gary had "deputised admirably" for Plews. He was virtually ever-present for the rest of the campaign and the Thanet Times said that Gary was "outstanding" in a 0-0 draw at Waterlooville on 31.1.87. The same paper described him as "commanding" and a "fine prospect". The Gazette later said that Gary "took the eye with some timely interceptions" in a 2-0 win over Dover on 3.2.87. During the same month Thanet manager John Wickens commented "he is improving all the time and is good in the air and on the ground." Gary finished the season having made 21 appearances (one as sub) and the Gazette summed up his successful run by saying he had "turned in some splendid displays - more than justifying his promotion".
In the summer of 1987 Gary joined Herne Bay, linking up with former Thanet manager Wickens once more.
In October 1987 Gary rejoined United and made his first appearance of the season when he came on as a substitute during Thanet's 4-0 defeat at the hands of Bognor Regis in an FA Cup tie played at Hartsdown on 24.10.87. Unfortunately he made an error that led directly to one of the Bognor goals and Gary then found himself unable to break back into the first team. He made two further sub appearances in the weeks after the Bognor game but had to wait until 17.11.87 for his first start. Gary wore the number five shirt as United lost 5-2 in a Southern League Cup tie at Hastings but it was his last senior appearance for the club. He dropped back into local football soon afterwards having played four times for the first team (three as sub) and twice for the reserves.
In the summer of 1988 Gary made a brief return to Hartsdown when he played for the first team in a pre-season friendly at home to Herne Bay but it was strictly a one-off appearance.
He worked as a HGV driver during the early 1990's and in 2011 Gary was still living locally. He was a member of the Thanet Traditional Shotokan Karate Association and earned his shotokan black belt that year.
|
SEASON (CLUB) |
FULL (MAX) |
SUB |
GLS |
FAC |
FAT |
SLC |
KSC |
EFC | |
|
1986/87 (TUFC) |
20 (53) |
1 |
0 |
SOUTHERN LEAGUE SOUTHERN DIV. (10TH OF 20) |
PR |
1QR |
GR |
1R |
GR |
|
SEASON (CLUB) |
FULL (MAX) |
SUB |
GLS |
FAC |
FAT |
SLC |
KSC |
||
|
1987/88 (TUFC) |
1 (56) |
3 |
0 |
SOUTHERN LEAGUE SOUTHERN DIV. (5TH OF 21) |
4QR |
2QR |
GR |
1R |