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Born in Rothwell, an area of south east Leeds, Alan "Smudger" Smith joined Leeds United's Centre of Excellence at the age of 10. His progress was checked somewhat when he went home from the now-defunct National Centre of Excellence at Lilleshall after failing to settle. At that time he was an England Under-16 international.
The forward was awarded his first professional contract with Leeds in March 1998, earning a lucrative, extended deal just a year later. He scored with his first touch in senior football as Leeds beat Liverpool in November 1998, going on to to establish himself as Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink's first choice striking partner for the rest of that season.
After the appointment of David O'Leary in October 1998, Smith was one of several youngsters to benefit from the Irishman's belief in his younger charges. Smith gained excellent experience during Leeds' successful Champions League run during the 2000/01 season. The fiery striker was sent-off in Leeds last game of the competition, however, the return of 11 Premiership goals was the best of his career.
He fought off the challenge of Robbie Keane to stay third in the pecking order at the club, but the 2001/02 season saw him deployed in a midfield role to accommodate the signing of Robbie Fowler from Liverpool. That understandably had a detrimental affect on his goals return.
Smith made his England debut against Mexico at Pride Park in May 2001, and remained high on England boss Sven Goran Eriksson's list of strikers for the 2002 World Cup - even though he hadn't played for his country since August 2001 against Holland at White Hart Lane.
In the end Alan failed to make the cut for the trip to Japan, and was instead selected for the European Under-21 Championships. Smith, playing both in midfield and up front at times, was a real star in Switzerland, even though David Platt's side failed to make it through their group.
Smith was handed another chance with the full England side in the first friendly of the 2002/2003 season against Portugal and duly scored from a Lee Bowyer cross.
But it turned sour in his next appearance, against Macedonia in a Euro 2004 qualifier in October, when he was dismissed in injury time after picking up a second yellow card. England only managed to draw the game at St Mary's 2-2. A bad disciplinary record continued to haunt the player that season, as he picked up a total of three red cards and 12 yellow in all competitions. And a return of just three Premiership goals was far from impressive.
The 2003/2004 season would prove a huge one for Smith. He would leave Leeds, have a dramatic and embarrassing saga with the England set-up and see his beloved team relegated with spiralling debts. The season started in familiar fashion for Smith, as he collected nine yellow cards in the first 21 games. But he remained a shining light in a dismal Leeds team battling for survival.
The striker was called into the England squad for the first time since the Macedonia red card for the friendly against Denmark at Old Trafford. However, the FA failed to note that he was under investigation by the police for throwing a bottle into the crowd during a Carling Cup defeat to Manchester United. FA rules state that a player under police investigation cannot represent the national side, and within minutes of Smith arriving at the team hotel he was sent home again.
Coach Sven-Goran Eriksson stayed true to his word and selected him for the next friendly against Portugal in February.
Back in domestic action, Smith was an inspiration. He was not booked from the start of January for the rest of the season as he led the Yorkshire side's fruitless race for survival. A return of nine Premiership goals was the second best of his career.
Relegation for Leeds would always mean the exit door for a player of his quality, something which he had not denied for a number of months. Smith had scored 56 goals in a total of 228 games for the Elland Road club and was given a hero's send off in his final game as Leeds were relegated at home to Charlton. The fans invaded the pich and carried Smith shoulder high - if only they knew what was around the corner.
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His desire to join arch rivals Manchester United quickly became apparent. After interest from Everton and Middlesbrough, Smith eventually got his dream move on May 26th, 2004, signing a five-year contract. Smith claimed that Leeds' relegation no longer made the two clubs true rivals. Leeds supporters saw differently resorting to the usual "judas" abuse and many felt betrayed at this final bitter pill to swallow.
Leeds received £6 million, with the reported £7 million balance reflected in the savings made on the player's signing-on fees and other associated considerations. Smith agreed to waive his signing-on fee as a sign of goodwill, with the club also confirming no agents' fees were incurred.
With a deadly eye for goal, aggression and great desire, Smith got off to a great start scoring a stunning 25 yard drive on his debut against Arsenal in the Community Shield. He then netted 4 times in his first 8 games including an acrobatic volley against Norwich.
However, the return of Ruud van Nistelrooy from injury saw him drop to the bench by mid-season and his appearances became increasingly limited. Even when the Dutchman was injured again late season, Sir Alex preferred playing Wayne Rooney on his own in a 4-2-3-1 formation which left Smith warming the bench.
Season 2005-2006 was notable for the conversion of Smith from striker to midfielder by Sir Alex. At the start of the season he had been in his usual position as a second striker but soon began lining up alongside Darren Fletcher and Roy Keane. When Keane picked up a foot injury against Liverpool in mid September (and his subsequent exit in November) Alan made a permanent switch to central midfield.
Whilst the transition to midfield produced much scepticism at first, as the months went on Smith settled into the role and was performing well. Then disaster struck at Anfield in United's 5th round FA Cup defeat by Liverpool. After coming on as a late sub, Smith had been trying to block a John Arne Riise free-kick in the closing stages of the game. He suffered a horrific leg break and dislocated his ankle after falling awkwardly.
Smith said: "I felt my leg go from under me as I went to block a free-kick," "When I looked down, the leg was lying one way and my ankle was pointing towards Hong Kong so I knew I was in serious trouble." It was feared that this was a career-ending injury but thankfully an operation to repair the damage was a success and he made a speedy recovery for season 2006-2007. The injury meant Smith missed the Carling Cup final a week later but United players paid tribute by wearing T-shirts with "For you Smudge" as they collected the trophy.
After months of rehabilitation on 26th September 2006 Smith made his United comeback as a substitute in the 85th minute of the 1-0 Champions League win at Benfica. Leeds, Cardiff, Newcastle and Aston Villa were all interested in taking him on loan and Sir Alex Ferguson favoured this option to sharpen Smith's fitness up a notch. However, the player did not agree to a loan saying he wanted to stay at United, get into top shape and regain his place.
It would be four months before his return as sub in the 1-0 away win at Lille in late February. He went on to play in a total of 17 matches and scored once against Roma in the 7-1 win with a fantastic goal that capped a wonderful sweeping move up the pitch. By the end of the season Alan was a regular starter and got his Premiership winners medal as United took the title from Chelsea. Although Smudger fell 1 game short of the 10 minimum games needed to receive a medal, the rules allow for extra medals to be struck at the request of the champions.
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