*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 29 October 2022
Matthew Terence Smith (born 14 October 1982) is a soccer manager and former player. He is currently assistant coach of Macarthur FC in the A-League Men. [3]
Born in England, Smith emigrated to Australia where he started his professional soccer career with North Queensland Fury during the 2009-10 A-League season and then signed a two-year contract with Brisbane Roar at the start of the A-League 2010–11 season. He has played for the Australian national team, and coached Brisbane City FC out of NPL Queensland in 2020, as The Azzurri were relegated into the FQPL in 2021.[4] The Azzurri return in NPL Queensland in 2022.[5]
Club career
Born in Chichester, England, Smith started his career playing University football in England, where he represented several different Universities before being signed by Championship club Portsmouth.
Smith moved to Australia for one year in 2004 and returned in 2006, during which time he attended Hartpury College in Gloucestershire and completed his master's degree in Sports Management.[6] He also captained the Hartpury senior side to the BUSA National Championship in 2007.[citation needed]
On 16 April 2010 it was announced that Smith joined the Brisbane Roar on a two-year deal after his contract with North Queensland expired due to ownership changes.[8] On 6 September 2011, the Roar announced that Smith would replace departed midfielder Matt McKay as captain of the club.[9] On 10 September 2012, Smith signed a new 3-year contract at the Roar, extending his stay until the end of the 2015/16 season.[10]
Bangkok Glass
It was announced in December 2014 that Smith would leave the Brisbane Roar and join Bangkok Glass for an undisclosed fee.[11]
On 12 February 2019, in the third qualifying match of the 2019 Asian Champions League, Kitchee played away to Perak. During the match, Matt Smith was sent off after picking up his second yellow card in the 49th minute. Kitchee lost the match on penalties in the end.[13]
Smith married Aicha Bendjelloul, an English woman on 17 May 2012 in a civil ceremony in Brisbane, Australia. They then celebrated with family and friends by hosting a party on the Thai island of Koh Samui.[14]
Together, they have 4 children Isla, Ava, Ruby and Owen.[15] Smith is qualified with a BA Degree in Marketing and Leisure Management and a Masters in Sports Management from Hartpury College in Gloucestershire.
1 - includes A-League final series statistics 2 - includes FIFA Club World Cup statistics; AFC Champions League statistics are included in season commencing after group stages (i.e. ACL and A-League seasons etc.)
