Nathan Smith

Nathan Colin Leslie Smith (born 11 January 1987) is a professional footballer who plays as a left-back or centre-back for side Cray Valley Paper Mills. Born in England, he represented Jamaica internationally.

He started his career with part-time London clubs Enfield, Waltham Forest and Potters Bar Town. During his time at these clubs, he also worked as a computer analyst, before being discovered by League One side Yeovil Town.

Club career Early career Smith started his football career at Enfield joining as a teenager and making 22 appearances, he then had a brief spell at Waltham Forest before signing for Isthmian League side Potters Bar Town. His then manager Steve Browne, an ex-Yeovil player, recommended him along with four others to his former club Yeovil Town.

Yeovil Town Smith went on trial in January 2008 with the club, appearing in five games, before agreeing non-contract terms on 23 March to enable him to make his début the next day away at Hartlepool United as a 61st-minute substitute. He then signed a permanent two-year professional deal with the club, leaving his IT job. He then proceeded to start every game until the end of the season. He scored his first professional goal on 13 December 2008 with a shot from 30 yards in the 4–2 defeat to Stockport County. Smith was offered a new contract at Yeovil but it was stated that Reading, Sheffield United and Ipswich Town were all interested in his services, but despite this, he signed a new contract with Yeovil. He was informed by the club at the end of the 2010/11 season that he was one of seven Yeovil players who would be awarded new contracts.

Chesterfield After rejecting this new contract offer, Smith left Yeovil after 119 appearances and moved to newly promoted side Chesterfield signing a two-year contract. Unfortunately, in his first season with the club Smith experienced relegation to Football League Two, during that season he was used primarily as a squad player. In 2012–2013 he experienced his best season at the Proact Stadium, becoming a regular until a broken foot halted his season in March 2013. Despite that Smith was named Player of the Year by both supporters and players. An injury-hit campaign and the arrival of Ritchie Humphreys meant that Smith only started 12 League games in Chesterfield's League 2 Championship season.

Yeovil Town Smith decided at the end of the season to move back to Yeovil Town on a two-year deal starting on 1 July 2014. On 30 April 2016, he scored his second goal for the club in a 4–3 victory against Barnet. He was released by Yeovil at the end of the 2017–18 season.

Dagenham & Redbridge On 25 October 2018, Smith signed for National League side Dagenham & Redbridge on a deal until the end of the season. In May 2019, it was announced that he would be released following the expiration of his contract at the end of the 2018–19 campaign.

Hashtag United On 4 March 2023, Smith signed for Isthmian League North Division side Hashtag United and scored two goals on his debut against Tilbury in an 8-1 victory.

Cray Valley Paper Mills In June 2026, Smith joined Isthmian League South East Division club Cray Valley Paper Mills.

International career Smith made his international début for the Jamaica against Honduras on 12 October 2011. He has won one further cap against Guyana in May 2012, both games were friendlies.

Career statistics

Club

International

Honours Chesterfield Football League Two: 2013–14 Football League Trophy: 2011–12

Hashtag United Isthmian League North Division: 2022–23