Interview Jimmy Smith

JIMMY SMITH

Personal Details

Career

Interview

Hallo Jimmy – can you tell us a bit about yourself!

I’m Jimmy Smith, age 33 married two kids Henry and Beryl.

What are your specific qualities as a football player?

Qualities I would say ability to score goals from midfield both footed and got stamina especially for my age.

Jimmy, you began your career at Chelsea FC at the age of nine. How did you get into the youth of Chelsea FC ? And who helped you the most?

Signed for Chelsea at 9 got scouted from my sunday league team Redbridge United, while at Chelsea went through every age group eventually being with the first team , Neil bath academy director there helped me a lot on my game but also growing up about dealing with situations outside of football as well.

You signed your professional contract at the age of 18 in 2005, and subsequently made the step up from the Academy squad to playing regularly for the reserve side. How important was your time at Chelsea in your development?

My development at Chelsea was fantastic I had everything I need and people to go to for guidance and help to improve my game , training and playing with the best players and staff in the world to be round that daily doe so many years was a great experience for me.

Jimmy, you was called up to the first-team by Chelsea manager José Mourinho, and made your only appearance for the Chelsea first-team in the last game of the 2005–06 Premier League campaign in a 1–0 defeat to Newcastle United at St James’ Park. What can you remember about your first team debut with Chelsea FC?

my debut was great away to Newcastle had to sing in front the hole team night before all the main players Lampard terry Drogba everyone was funny but every young player has to do it , game day was great all my family came up to watch me and to come on for Carvalho. Was a great experience for me playing in front for 50 thousand fans.

By Chelsea FC, you was loaned out to Queens Park Rangers FC, Norwich City FC, Sheffield Wednesday FC and Leyton Orient FC. How did you experience these periods?

I had loan spells in the championship and league 1 enjoyed them all especially at QPR under john Gregory at some stage in ya career you need to go out and play and that was vital for me playing men’s football and playing for points week in week out in front big crowds.

In 2009, you signed for Leyton Orient FC, where you made more than 100 league appearances during four seasons. Why did you leave Leyton Orient FC ?

Enjoyed my time at Leyton Orient was a team I used to watch as a kids as I grew up near there so to play for them for 4 half years was great I left because managers had different ideas and I wanted to play football.

On 1 September 2018, you’re suffered a knee injury against Oldham Athletic which ruled you out for the majority of the remainder of the season. How did you experience these periods?

I don’t my acl 10 min into a match but decided to play on because at the time I was player manager for Crawley and didn’t wanna let the team down ,being out for 7 months was hard but I had good people around me my family and people at the club looked after me well my rehab was good and I like to think I’m mentally strong so my goal was always to come back stronger.

Jimmy, what were your highs and lows during your football career?

Highs playing in the premiership for Chelsea and representing England and captain them at certain age groups, lows doing my ACL and prob some parts early on in my career timing and decision making is massive and could change your career , but I don’t regret anything I’m pleased for what I’ve done and achieved I’m a person that always gave my all and tried to keep high standards where ever I have been.

What is your ambition after your football career?

I’m doing my coaching badges wanna stay in the game in some way coaching managing somewhere , I have good contacts still at previous clubs so it’s all about working hard and learning and getting the opportunity as well iv made 500 app in my career and played in every league so wanna give my experience back in some sort of way. I love the game.