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One to watch #7: Alex Smithies

Last updated : 12 August 2009 By Dan Buxton
Name: Alex Smithies

Date of Birth: 5th March, 1990

Position: Goalkeeper

Current Club: Huddersfield Town

Previous Club(s): None

Huddersfield Town Apps (Goals): 19 (1)

   International Apps:  England U16's - 4
                                   England U17’s - 10
                                   England U18’s - 1
                                   England U19’s - 1


Smithies made his first team debut as a 76th minute substitute following the sending off of Matt Glennon

during Huddersfield Town's 4–1 defeat by Southend United at Roots Hall on 5 December 2007. He made his first full start in the 4–0 defeat at Leeds United on 8 December, after Glennon lost his appeal against his dismissal and Town were refused permission to loan an emergency goalkeeper, because Smithies was registered as a professional.

 His next match for the Terriers would be in their 1–0 defeat against Darlington in the Football League Trophy on 7 October 2008. His next league appearance would also be his first at the Galpharm Stadium for a first-team match.

 Caretaker manager dropped regular keeper Matt Glennon for the young custodian and again, he didn't disappoint, helping Huddersfield to a 2–1 victory over Walsall on 6 December 2008. He was only beaten by a superb long-range effort from Walsall midfielder Alex Nicholls. His first clean sheet for the club came on Smithies return to Roots Hall in a 1–0 win for Huddersfield over Southend United on 13 December 2008. It was even more remarkable thanks to the penalty save made by Smithies from James Walker 10 minutes from time.

 On the second of April 2009 he was assesed by "Sky Sports Scout", a service offered by Sky Sports for finding the best young talent in the country. He was given a rating of 65/80 and labelled as "already on his way to the top."

 He has four caps for the England U16's and 10 caps for the England U17's(including gaining 5 during the 2007 FIFA Under 17 World Cup in South Korea) On 20 November 2007, he made his debut for the England U18 team, where he played 45 minutes in their 2–0 win against Ghana U18's at Gillingham's Priestfield Stadium In November 2008,

 Smithies received his first England U19 call up for a friendly against Germany U-19. His first game for the U19's came against Spain U19's at Bournemouth's Dean Court ground on 10 February 2009, in a 3–0 defeat