Gary Smyth
Personal information
Date of birth (1969-12-20) 20 December 1969
Place of birth Belfast, Northern Ireland
Position(s) Centre back
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1988–1995 Glentoran 84 (5)
1995–2000 Glenavon 123 (9)
2000–2004 Glentoran 183 (23)
2004–2006 Ballymena United 50 (8)
2006–2008 Glentoran 34 (0)
2007–2008 → Crusaders (loan) 26 (1)
2008–2009 Crusaders 16 (0)
Total 514 (46)
International career
1997 Northern Ireland B 1 (0)
Managerial career
2013–2018 H&W Welders
2019 Glentoran
2019–2022 H&W Welders
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Gary Smyth (born 20 December 1969 in Belfast), nicknamed Smickers is a Northern Irish former footballer and manager.[1] He played as a centre back for Glentoran, Glenavon, Ballymena and Crusaders. He previously managed Glentoran in 2019 and had two spells managing H&W Welders, first from 2013–2018 and the second spell from 2019–2022.

Playing career

Smyth signed for Glentoran from Holywood in 1988, winning numerous trophies and remaining there until 1995, when he signed for Glenavon, where he enjoyed more success, before returning to The Oval in 2000. He was named as the Ulster Footballer of the Year for the 2002/03 season.[2] In 2007, he joined Crusaders, initially on loan, and later on a permanent transfer.

He won four Irish Cup winners' medals, with Glentoran in 2004, Glenavon in 1997, and Crusaders in 2009. He retired on 9 May 2009 following the Irish Cup final.

Management career

H&W Welders (2013–2018)

Smyth was manager of H&W Welders between 2013 and 2018, proving a successful manager. He left on 23 May 2018.

Glentoran (2018–2019)

Smyth left his role at H&W Welders to join his former team Glentoran, which was officially announced on 24 May 2018. He initially joined as an assistant manager to the incoming Ronnie McFall, where the future plan was to promote him when he had all necessary qualifications. Paul Leeman also joined Smyth as a part of the deal. However McFall resigned earlier than expected following poor results which allowed Smyth to become manager.[3] He held the management spot from 3 January 2019 until 31 March 2019, when he was replaced with Mick McDermott.[4] Smyth was returned to the role of assistant manager, however he didn't return to the dug-out and left the club in controversial circumstances on 21 May 2019, with Leeman leaving two days later.[5][6][7] Smyth voiced his disgust at how he had been treated by the club.[8]

H&W Welders (2019–2022)

On 13 December 2019, it was announced Smyth had returned to manage H&W Welders.[9] After around 2 and a half years at his second spell at the club, Smyth was dismissed in August 2022 following a poor start to the season.

Honours

Glentoran

Glenavon

Crusaders

Managerial statistics

(Statistics apply to league matches only)

Team Nation From To Record
P W D L Win %
H&W Welders  Northern Ireland 24 November 2013 23 May 2018  ? ? ? ?
Glentoran  Northern Ireland 3 January 2019 30 March 2019 1252541.67%
H&W Welders  Northern Ireland 13 December 2019 30 August 2022  ? ? ? ?
Total 1252541.67%

References

  1. ↑ "Irish League Footballing Greats". irishleaguegreats.blogspot.com.
  2. ↑ M. Brodie (ed.), Northern Ireland Soccer Yearbook 2009-2010, p. 102. Belfast:Ulster Tatler Publications
  3. ↑ "Ronnie McFall resigns". Glentoran. 3 January 2019. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
  4. ↑ Steven Beacom (28 March 2019). "Boss Gary Smyth forced out as investors move in". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
  5. ↑ "Gary Smyth leaves". Glentoran. 21 May 2019. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
  6. ↑ "Paul Leeman leaves". Glentoran. 23 May 2019. Retrieved 24 May 2019.
  7. ↑ Steven Beacom (24 May 2019). "Glentoran Hero Number Two sacked by post as Leeman shares fate of Smyth". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 24 May 2019.
  8. ↑ Steven Beacom (23 May 2019). "I've been treated shamefully by Glentoran". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 24 May 2019.
  9. ↑ "Gary Smyth Returns". 13 December 2019. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
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