Amari Morgan-Smith

Ilkeston Town He joined Northern Premier League Premier Division club Ilkeston Town in the summer of 2008, helping the club earn promotion to the Conference North in 2008–09 with a 2–1 win over Nantwich Town on 3 May 2009 in the play-off final. Following his scoring prowess, Ilkeston manager Kevin Wilson described Morgan-Smith as "one of the hottest properties in non-league football". During the summer of 2010, Morgan-Smith trained with Championship club Derby County on a trial period, though the club opted against signing him. On 8 September, Ilkeston were liquidated by HM Revenue and Customs over a £50,000 unpaid tax bill. Morgan-Smith was therefore released from the club with immediate effect. He joined League One club Carlisle United on trial on 21 September, but was not offered a contract. He played the same day in a 2–0 victory over Mansfield Town, scoring on his debut. Morgan-Smith scored a hat-trick for the club in a 4–0 FA Cup win against St Albans City on 23 October 2010. This led to him winning the award for Player of the Round.

Morgan-Smith started 2011–12 on form, scoring nine goals in 13 league matches, before a succession of serious injuries kept him out for most of the remaining campaign. The uncertainty over his fitness led to Luton manager Paul Buckle releasing him from his contract in June 2012.

He was taken on trial by League One club Doncaster Rovers during pre-season, scoring against Hull City in a friendly, but was not offered a contract.

Macclesfield Town On 31 August 2012, Morgan-Smith signed for Conference Premier club Macclesfield Town on a one-year contract. He made his debut for the club on 1 September 2012 in a 4–1 defeat against his former club Luton Town. He made five appearances for the club, scoring in a 3–1 victory over Alfreton Town. He scored two goals in a 4–1 win against Forest Green Rovers on 8 October 2013.

Manager Gary Whild stated on 4 June 2014 that it was likely Morgan-Smith would be leaving the club. Morgan-Smith turned down the offer of a new contract.

Oldham Athletic He signed for League One club Oldham Athletic on 21 July 2014 on a one-year contract, with the option of a further year.

Cheltenham Town On 29 May 2015, Morgan-Smith signed a one-year contract with newly relegated National League club Cheltenham Town.

York City and AFC Telford United On 12 January 2017, Morgan-Smith joined National League club York City on loan until the end of 2016–17. On 21 May 2017, he started as York beat Macclesfield Town 3–2 at Wembley Stadium in the 2017 FA Trophy final. He was released by Cheltenham at the end of 2016–17.

On 30 June 2017, Morgan-Smith re-signed for York City permanently on a one-year contract.

He signed for York's National League North rivals AFC Telford United on 2 February 2018 on a one-and-a-half-year contract.

Alfreton Town On 13 July 2019, Morgan-Smith joined Alfreton Town.

Return to Kidderminster Harriers On 25 June 2020, Morgan-Smith signed for Kidderminster Harriers on a one-year contract, almost 8 years after first joining on loan from Macclesfield. The transfer fee was paid personally by the Harrier's owners during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure no impact to the club finances. He scored twice in a pre-season friendly vs Alvechurch that September, as league start dates were pushed back to October due to the pandemic. Across the 2021–22 season, Morgan-Smith scored 17 goals, including one against Reading in the FA Cup third round. He became an integral part of the Harriers line-up and, on 13 April 2022, extended his deal until the end of the 2022–23 season.

Halifax Town In July 2026 he signed for FC Halifax Town.

International career Morgan-Smith was called up to the England national C team for a match against the Republic of Ireland under-23 team in May 2010, in which he made his debut. He was capped twice by England C from 2010 to 2011.

Controversy In October 2020 Morgan-Smith was sent off while playing for Kidderminster during the first half of a match against Chester for using offensive language. He subsequently admitted an aggravated breach of F.A. rule E3.1, which amounts to using offensive language which includes a (direct or indirect) reference to: "ethnic origin, colour, race, nationality, religion or belief, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation or disability". He was handed a six-match suspension, with an order to attend an FA educational course at a future date and meet a contribution of the Hearing costs.

Career statistics

Honours Ilkeston Town Northern Premier League Premier Division play-offs: 2009 2026

Individual National League North Player of the Month: December 2024