Phil Smith (footballer born 1979)

Phil Anthony Smith (born December 14, 1979 in Harrow, Greater London) is an English professional footballer for Swindon Town. Smith is a goalkeeper and wears shirt No.12.

Smith started his career with Millwall before being released and falling into non-league football, initially with Folkestone Invicta. This was followed by spells at Dover Athletic and Margate. Smith went on to play for Crawley Town where he was regular first choice goalkeeper for the Red Devils.

Crawley went into administration in 2006 and subsequently made all of their players available for transfer. Smith signed for Swindon after a successful pre-season trial which included winning the Copa Ibiza friendly competition in the Summer of 2006. Smith move to Swindon was partly helped by then Swindon manager Dennis Wise knowing Smith from his spell at Millwall when Wise was first team manager.

First Team at Swindon Town

Smith's was initially signed as backup to first choice goalkeeper Peter Brezovan and handed the No.25 shirt for the 2006/2007 season. After Brezovan suffered a broken arm in a home game against Grimsby Town on October 14, 2006, Smith took over in goal after an unsuccessful two game loan spell from Andrew Lonergan, from Preston North End.

Smith picked up the PFA Fans Player of the Month for December 2006. This award was presented to him on January 27, 2007, before the home game against Macclesfield Town, after a string of solid displays kept Swindon in the automatic promotion places. Smith...
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