Graeme Smith (footballer, born 1983)

Not to be confused with Graeme Smith (footballer, born 1982).

Graeme Meldrum Smith (born 8 June 1983) is a Scottish former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper. He was employed as the goalkeeping coach at Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic but left in May 2024.

Graeme Smith

Smith playing for Motherwell
Personal information
Full name	Graeme Meldrum Smith[1]
Date of birth	(1983-06-08) 8 June 1983 (age 41)[1]
Place of birth	Edinburgh, Scotland
Position(s)	Goalkeeper
Youth career
1999–2003	Rangers
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2003–2005	Rangers	0	(0)
2003–2004	→ Ross County (loan)	20	(0)
2005–2009	Motherwell	127	(0)
2009–2010	Brighton & Hove Albion	6	(0)
2010–2011	Hibernian	16	(0)
2011–2012	Gabala	7	(0)
2012–2013	Partick Thistle	6	(0)
2013	Ayr United	15	(0)
2013–2018	Brechin City	165	(0)
2018–2022	Stenhousemuir	64	(0)
2022	→ Berwick Rangers (loan)	0	(0)
Total		426	(0)
International career
2004–2005	Scotland U21[2]	8	(0)
2007	Scotland B	1	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Smith started his career at Rangers, later playing for Ross County, Motherwell, Brighton, Hibernian, Gabala, Partick Thistle, Ayr United, Brechin City, Stenhousemuir and Berwick Rangers.

Career

Smith was born in Edinburgh.^[1] He started his career with Rangers but failed to make an appearance for the club. During his time at Ibrox, Smith spent the 2003–04 season on loan to Scottish First Division side Ross County.

Motherwell

On 25 June 2005, Smith signed for Motherwell.^[3] During four seasons at Fir Park, Smith made 127 SPL appearances for Motherwell. Smith was included in the Scotland squad to face the Faroe Islands and Lithuania in Euro 2008 qualifiers played in September 2006, but he did not play in either game.^[4] Smith made one appearance for the Scotland B team during this time, playing in a 1–1 draw with the Republic of Ireland B team in November 2007.^[5] He was part of the Motherwell side that finished third in the SPL in the 2007–08 season, qualifying for the 2008–09 UEFA Cup.

Brighton & Hove Albion

On 1 July 2009, Smith transferred to English League One side Brighton & Hove Albion, signing a two-year contract.^[6] However, he conceded five goals on his debut, coming as a substitute after the regular goalkeeper Michel Kuipers had been sent off, as Brighton lost 7–1 at Huddersfield. Smith went on to make nine further appearances for Brighton.

Hibernian

Smith returned to the SPL on 1 January 2010 by signing for Hibernian on a free transfer.^[7] He immediately took possession of the goalkeeper position at Hibs, as manager John Hughes sought to put a "goalkeeping school" in place.^[8] Smith was involved in a remarkable game towards the end of the 2009–10 season, as he conceded six goals against his former club Motherwell, the match finishing drawn 6–6.^[9] Smith eventually fell behind Mark Brown and Graham Stack in the selection order under the management of Colin Calderwood and was released by the club in April 2011.^[10] He had made only 16 league appearances during his 15 months with the club.^[10]

Gabala

Smith was invited by Tony Adams to train with Azerbaijan Premier League club Gabala in July 2011.^[11][12] Smith signed a one-year contract with Gabala after a pre-season tour of England.^[13] He made his debut for Gabala in an Azerbaijan Cup tie against Neftchala, in which they won 3–0. Smith made his league debut on 7 March in a 3–2 defeat against Kəpəz.^[14] On 17 May, Smith's contract was not renewed by Gabala.^[15]

Return to Scotland

Smith trained with Dunfermline, in his native Scotland, in July 2012.^[16] On 13 November 2012, he signed a 9-week deal with Scottish First Division club Partick Thistle.^[17] Smith scored an own goal in his debut appearance for Thistle, a 1–0 defeat against Hamilton on 16 November.^[18] He left the club at the end of his contract.

Smith signed a contract with Ayr United in February 2013 for the remainder of the season.^[19][20]

Brechin City

On 3 July 2013, Smith signed for Scottish League One side Brechin City.^[21] He signed a new two-year contract on 19 May 2014.^[22]

On 21 November 2015, Smith travelled to the Ochilview ground for the away game against Stenhousemuir. Unfortunately for him, the match was actually a home fixture for Brechin, 83 miles away. He did make it in time to play, but the side lost 2–1.^[23]

Smith extended his contract with Brechin City for another year on 1 June 2016.^[24] After five year with Brechin, Smith left Glebe Park at the end of the 2017–18 season.^[25]

Stenhousemuir

On 22 May 2018, Smith signed a two-year contract with Scottish League One side Stenhousemuir.^[26] On 22 April 2022, Smith joined Lowland League side Berwick Rangers on an emergency loan for the remainder of the 2021–22 season.^[27]

Career statistics

As of match played 24 October 2020

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			National cup		League cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Rangers	2003–04	Scottish Premier League	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	2004–05		0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	Total		0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Ross County (Loan)	2003–04	Scottish First Division	20	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	21	0
Motherwell	2005–06[28]	Scottish Premier League	30	0	1	0	3	0	0	0	34	0
	2006–07[29]		24	0	3	0	1	0	0	0	28	0
	2007–08[30]		36	0	3	0	3	0	0	0	42	0
	2008–09[31]		37	0	3	0	1	0	2[a]	0	43	0
	Total		127	0	10	0	8	0	2	0	147	0
Brighton & Hove Albion	2009–10[32]	League One	6	0	3	0	0	0	1[b]	0	10	0
Hibernian	2009–10[32]	Scottish Premier League	12	0	3	0	0	0	0	0	15	0
	2010–11[33]		4	0	1	0	0	0	1[a]	0	6	0
	Total		16	0	4	0	0	0	1	0	21	0
Gabala	2011–12[34]	Azerbaijan Premier League	7	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	8	0
Partick Thistle	2012–13[34]	Scottish First Division	6	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	7	0
Ayr United	2012–13[35]	Scottish League One	15	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	15	0
Brechin City	2013–14[36]	Scottish League One	31	0	3	0	1	0	1[c]	0	36	0
	2014–15[37]		35	0	4	0	1	0	4[d]	0	44	0
	2015–16[38]		34	0	1	0	1	0	1[c]	0	37	0
	2016–17[39]		34	0	1	0	4	0	6[e]	0	45	0
	2017–18[40]	Scottish Championship	31	0	2	0	4	0	1[c]	0	38	0
	Total		165	0	11	0	11	0	13	0	200	0
Stenhousemuir	2018–19[41]	Scottish League One	35	0	3	0	3	0	3[f]	0	44	0
	2019–20[42]	Scottish League Two	27	0	1	0	3	0	3[c]	0	34	0
	2020–21[43]		2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0
	Total		64	0	4	0	6	0	6	0	80	0
Career total			436	0	35	0	25	0	23	0	509	0

1. Appearances in the Europa League
2. Appearance in the Football League Trophy
3. Appearances in the Scottish Challenge Cup
4. Two appearances in the Scottish Challenge Cup and two in the Championship play-offs
5. Two appearances in the Scottish Challenge Cup and four in the Championship play-offs
6. One appearance in the Scottish Challenge Cup and two in the League Two play-offs

Honours

Rangers

• Scottish League Cup: 2005

Notes

References

1. "Graeme Smith". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
2. "Scotland U21 Player Graeme Smith Details". fitbastats.com. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
3. "Keeper Smith Moves to Motherwell". BBC Sport. 25 June 2005. Retrieved 28 June 2009.
4. "Hibernian make New Year signing". Hibernian F.C. 1 January 2010. Archived from the original on 4 January 2010.
5. "Scotland B 1–1 Rep of Ireland B". BBC Sport. 20 November 2007. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
6. Goalkeeper Signs Archived 4 August 2009 at the Wayback Machine, Seagulls World, 1 July 2009. Retrieved 1 July 2009
7. "Hibs snap up Smith". Sky Sports. 1 January 2010. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
8. Hardie, David (1 February 2010). "Keeper deal ends Hibs' transfer bids". Edinburgh Evening News. Archived from the original on 3 February 2010. Retrieved 7 February 2010.
9. Bathgate, Stuart (8 May 2010). "John Hughes claims Rob Jones would have prevented Hibs' 6–6 'defeat'". The Scotsman. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
10. "Goalkeeper Graeme Smith departs Hibs". BBC Sport. 19 April 2011. Retrieved 19 April 2011.
11. Hardie, David (20 June 2011). "Graeme Smith looks east for life after Hibs". Edinburgh Evening News. Archived from the original on 28 June 2011. Retrieved 21 June 2011.
12. Parks, Gordon (23 June 2011). "Players must look further afield for employment now, admits freed Hibs keeper Graeme Smith as he ponders move to Azerbaijan". Daily Record. Glasgow. Retrieved 26 August 2011.
13. Burns, Scott (26 August 2011). "England legend Tony Adams lures Graeme Smith to Azerbaijan". Daily Express. Northern and Shell Media Publications. Retrieved 26 August 2011.
14. "Kapaz -Gabala 3–2". Gabala FC. 7 March 2012. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
15. "Five more players leave Gabala". Gabala FC. 18 March 2012. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
16. "Smith in goal for Pars". Dunfermline Athletic F.C. 12 July 2012. Archived from the original on 20 April 2013. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
17. "Thistle Sign Goalkeeper". Partick Thistle F.C. 13 November 2012. Archived from the original on 17 November 2012. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
18. Macdonald, Kenny (17 November 2012). "Hamilton 1 Partick Thistle 0: Partick Thistle's ham-fisted debut goalie costs them match with own goal". Daily Record. Retrieved 17 November 2012.
19. "Graeme Smith Signs Until End of the Season". Ayr United F.C. 14 February 2013. Retrieved 14 February 2013.^{[permanent dead link‍]}
20. "Graeme Smith signs for Ayr until end of season". The Scotsman. Johnston Publishing. 14 February 2013. Retrieved 17 February 2013.
21. "Latest Signing". Brechin City F.C. 3 July 2013. Retrieved 7 September 2013.
22. "Graeme Smith Stays On". Brechin City F.C. 19 May 2014. Retrieved 27 July 2014.
23. "Brechin goalkeeper turns up at wrong ground for game". BBC Sport. 21 November 2015. Retrieved 21 November 2015.
24. "Buzz Staying On". Brechin City F.C. 1 June 2016. Retrieved 30 December 2016.
25. Hood, Grant (9 May 2018). "Brechin City squad news". Brechin City F.C. Retrieved 10 May 2018.
26. "Another new face joins the Warriors". Stenhousemuir FC. 22 May 2018. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
27. @StenhousemuirFC (22 April 2022). "Squad Update" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
28. "Games played by Graeme Smith in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 November 2017.
29. "Games played by Graeme Smith in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 November 2017.
30. "Games played by Graeme Smith in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 November 2017.
31. "Games played by Graeme Smith in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 November 2017.
32. "Games played by Graeme Smith in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 November 2017.
33. "Games played by Graeme Smith in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 November 2017.
34. Graeme Smith at Soccerway. Retrieved 30 December 2016.
35. "Games played by Graeme Smith in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 November 2017.
36. "Games played by Graeme Smith in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 November 2017.
37. "Games played by Graeme Smith in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 November 2017.
38. "Games played by Graeme Smith in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 November 2017.
39. "Games played by Graeme Smith in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 November 2017.
40. "Games played by Graeme Smith in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 November 2017.
41. "Games played by Graeme Smith in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
42. "Games played by Graeme Smith in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
43. "Games played by Graeme Smith in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 November 2021.

External links

• Graeme Smith at Soccerbase
• Graeme Smith at Soccerway