Kevan Smith (footballer)

Kevan Smith hasn't only witnessed some of Darlington's promotions but he played a part in three of them. It is a refletion of Smith's attitude, ability and leadership. Smith played over four hundred games for the Quakers in two seperate spells.

Defender Smith, first appeared at Darlington on trial in a game against the club's professionals under then manager Len Walker before playing in the reserves against Barnsley. In the summer of 1979 Walker left Quakers but Smith was invited back by new then boss Billy Elliott. Smith impressed Elliott in the reserves and he was quickly snapped up.

Smith made his debut at Torquay United in September 1979 as Qukaers lost 4-0. Team-mate Clive Nattress called him 'Smudger'. It was a nickname which stuck with im for the rest of his time at the club. Smith was a brave played and above all hard working and committed.

It was however under Elliott's seccessor Cyril Knowles, who said he couldn't believe Smudger was a footballer, that Smith really came into his own and by his own ammission improved as a player. Knowles who joined Darlington the club in 1983, demanded nothing less than 100% from his players and Smith filled the mould perfectly. The 1984/85 season saw Darlington promoted from the Fourth Division but Smith left for Rotherham feeling the manager did not rate him highly enogh.

Smith later moved to Coventry City for £65,000 but broke his leg. Smith did not play top flight football whilst with the Sky Blues and was at the club when they won the FA Cup but found regular football hard to come by and he moved to York City. Things failed to work out for Smith at Bootham Cresent but by this stage both darlington and rivals Hartlepool United were interested in securing his services.

Smith rejoined the club after speaking with then manager Brian Little. Quakers though were in the Conference having been releagted at the end of the 1988/89 season. In under a year Smith had dropped from the top of English football tp the bootom although it was his second spell at the club with the club that Smith enjoyed the best years of his career.

Darlington won promotion from the Conference at the first attempt the and the following season (1990/91} won promotion from the Fourth Division to the Third. Little left to join Leicester City and the bottom dropped out of Smith's world. The pair were very close and Little was begged to stay by the player. Little recommended Smith fpor the management job at the club but Smudger convinced Frank Gray to instead take the job. Rumours persisted about Smith taking over as Quakers struggled in a higher Division. Smith tried to quash the rumours but was dropped by Gray.

Smith had felt he was too young for the job, but when Gray left the club in 1992 Smith applied for the job. Ray Hankin was given the position on a temporary measure. Smith hpoed to get the job and had an interview. Instead Quakers installed Billy McEwan on a permanent basis. The pair's relationship was rocky at best. In the summer of 1992 Smith needed a major operation. Smudger was told he would need ten weeks to recover but came back after nine. Upon coming back McEwan said he wanted a new centre back.

Things remained diificult between the pair and later McEwan told Smith was been let go on a free transfer. By this stage though Smith was close to a testomonial and refused to leave. The relationship between the pair got worse and Smith was left further isolated and had to train on his own. Towards the end of his time a the club Smith did regain his place in the team but it was a bad way for Smith to finish his Darlington career.

The public nad fanzine Mission Impossible backed the player. Smith returned to Quakers to work for Football in the Community (FITC) and went on to be assistant manager at Hull City with Little.