Kiwi Players Elsewhere

Tommy Smith (Braintree Town FC | England)

1501 replies · 405,449 views
about 2 years ago · edited about 2 years ago · History
Haha that's a pretty random signing that one. 

Good for Tommy though to come out and get some warmth and sunshine, perhaps maybe even some playing time too, rather than just warming the bench over in England.
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about 2 years ago
didnt see that coming

Calling all fans in Japan, come down and support the mighty nix in Osaka

http://www.facebook.com/WellingtonPhoenixClubMembersSupportersGroupOsaka

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about 2 years ago · edited about 2 years ago · History
Like Rojas signed to the end of the season. Cue those off to Auckland FC rumours for season 24/25. Like Rojas may debut for his new club against the Nix (18th Feb).

Honestly surprised to see him leave the UK. But maybe figures the ALM and it's shortist 27 game season is now the best league for his aging body, whilst still keeping himself in Bazeley's eyesight for WC2026.

https://macarthurfc.com.au/news/bulls-sign-all-whites-defender-tommy-smith

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about 2 years ago
Auckland really have been talking to players in the background. Love to see it.

There would be nothing sadder than slowly finishing your career by never getting off the bench so I’m glad he’s jumped ship. Hope he can command a starting spot and fires for them before moving to Auckland.
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about 2 years ago
I mean its pretty clear his intention is Auckland with the 6month signing at the other side of the world. It might not even be the world cup driving them, Corica could have said they need to be match fit at the right level. Makes a lot of sense. I'd say its fair to assume at this point Auckland will have Rojas and Smith on the books beginning of next season.
coochiee
Like Rojas signed to the end of the season. Cue those off to Auckland FC rumours for season 24/25. Like Rojas may debut for his new club against the Nix (18th Feb).

Honestly surprised to see him leave the UK. But maybe figures the ALM and it's shortist 27 game season is now the best league for his aging body, whilst still keeping himself in Bazeley's eyesight for WC2026.

https://macarthurfc.com.au/news/bulls-sign-all-whites-defender-tommy-smith

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about 2 years ago
If that was the case surely Auckland signs them and loans them out though ? Seems odd.
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about 2 years ago
Ryan
If that was the case surely Auckland signs them and loans them out though ? Seems odd.

That is how I would do it but without knowing the ins and outs about registering players, I dunno if it's even possible. Maybe they just sign a pre-contract with Auckland. 
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about 2 years ago · edited about 2 years ago · History
maybe they have offered them contracts that are decent depending on a six month stint. Auckland want to win right? It's just a 6 month contract for Rojas maybe I can buy it, but surely Smith wouldn't move all the way across the world for anything less than a year.
RR
Ryan
If that was the case surely Auckland signs them and loans them out though ? Seems odd.

That is how I would do it but without knowing the ins and outs about registering players, I dunno if it's even possible. Maybe they just sign a pre-contract with Auckland. 
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about 2 years ago · edited about 2 years ago · History
[took to the AKL thread]


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about 2 years ago
RR
Ryan
If that was the case surely Auckland signs them and loans them out though ? Seems odd.

That is how I would do it but without knowing the ins and outs about registering players, I dunno if it's even possible. Maybe they just sign a pre-contract with Auckland. 

Also a bit of a lame way for new shiny Auckland FC to announce their first signings. We haven't got a kit or scarf yet for Marco & Tommy to wear, and by the way they ain't flying into Auckland for a few months yet anyways.

No Foley will want his first announced signings to be in da house at Mt Smart I reckon, donning the new cool kit.

Still not 100% convinced Marco is off to Auckland, but very confident Tommy is. As above why fly all the way to the other side of the world for a short 4 month deal. Not when you have a young family, and there would have been some old L2 club options for an experienced international CB.

Potential first Aucks captain? Could add some spice to the Nix derby games. Can be a polarising figure. I remember one game in the MLS with Colorado at Minnesota he provoked a mass brawl by celebrating his late goal in front of Minny fans.
https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/11525832/watch-three-sent-off-off-in-mls-as-mass-brawl-mars-colorado-rapids-win-at-minnesota-united
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about 2 years ago · edited about 2 years ago · History
But didn't they state that they wanted to hire players in the january window? Maybe there were some logistical hurdles being a new club that they couldn't work through in time.
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about 2 years ago
Couple of odd kiwi signings recently, Rojas to Brisbane and now Smith to MacArthur, both for the rest of this season. Feels very much like they are looking to get in the vision of Akl FC for next season. I wonder if Foley has had a hand in any of these as unlikley as it would seem for an aussie club to help a new Kiwi outfit.

Queenslander 3x a year.

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about 2 years ago
Any chance that they have signed with Auckland and it has not been announced, and these are actually loans from the club.

Foley paying their wages already to get them up to speed and fit?
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about 2 years ago · edited about 2 years ago · History
Ryan
But didn't they state that they wanted to hire players in the january window? Maybe there were some logistical hurdles being a new club that they couldn't work through in time.

They said they wanted Corica in place by Xmas so yes would help try sign players in that Jan window. They also hoped to have the name, and presumably kit sorted by about March
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about 2 years ago
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about 2 years ago
Ryan
Signed for Macarthur.

Looks like my call of Auckland might be on the cards having only signed on until the end of the season.
Supporter world's best and worst football teams: Waikato/WaiBop, Kingz, Knights, Phoenix, The Argyle, The Whites & the All Whites

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about 2 years ago
Niche Cache.

If for some reason you’re wondering about current A-League connections to Milton-Keynes Dons then here’s an excerpt from the MK Citizen:

“Former Dons boss Mark Jackson is currently managing in the A-League, in charge of Central Coast Mariners, with the reigning champions currently sat in second spot, behind Wellington Phoenix who boast ex-Dons defender Scott Wootton amongst their ranks. Jay O'Shea, who also played for Dons, now plies his trade for Brisbane Roar, who sit ninth.”
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about 2 years ago
Came off the bench for his first run out in yonks and got to celebrate a win too. Hopefully picks up some form here for the AWs.
Supporter world's best and worst football teams: Waikato/WaiBop, Kingz, Knights, Phoenix, The Argyle, The Whites & the All Whites

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almost 2 years ago
Might get himself a gig at Auckland after that goal? To be fair he looked okay I thought against Egypt for the AWs.

Unfortunately does virtually kill Adelaide's playoff hopes, meaning they could be low on motivation next Sunday at Gosford.

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almost 2 years ago
1 week a rooster, the next a feather duster.
You ain't in League Two now Tommy, where there probably is not many Brazilians milking fouls like this!

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almost 2 years ago
Two very poor red cards in that game - the ref needs to have more kahuna's and back his earlier calls and the VAR a reminder that football is a physical game.

Compare those 2 reds to the yellow card Ball got 3 weeks ago that wasn't overturned... which is way, way worse.
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almost 2 years ago · edited almost 2 years ago · History
MetalLegNZ
Two very poor red cards in that game - the ref needs to have more kahuna's and back his earlier calls and the VAR a reminder that football is a physical game.

Compare those 2 reds to the yellow card Ball got 3 weeks ago that wasn't overturned... which is way, way worse.

I have seen some poor VAR red card calls this season.

Sharks me that refs doubt themselves when asked to look at the screen and overrule their own correct decision. Only Faghani seems to have the balls to rate himself in that situation.
Supporter world's best and worst football teams: Waikato/WaiBop, Kingz, Knights, Phoenix, The Argyle, The Whites & the All Whites

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almost 2 years ago
Auck captain?

Oi Oi Edgecumbe... lets have a clean sheet

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almost 2 years ago
Oi Oi Edgecumbe
Auck captain?

Probably not a certain enough starter at this stage. Corica may not decide on a captain until he has the whole squad sorted. 
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almost 2 years ago
I could see it being Howieson tbh. It was a very deliberate choice having him be signing '001' for Auckland as well as having international experience too. I've never seen him play but have seen enough comments on this forum reckoning he'd be good enough for the league.

Still, depends on who's still to be announced
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almost 2 years ago
Sounds like most of his immediate family actually live in NZ.

And yeah him and the Woodsman are obviously good mates. Hopefully Bazeley is strong enough to drop Smith, if in the future he ain't playing well enough, despite his close friendship with AWs captain & living legend.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/350298970/auckland-fc-bound-tommy-smith-reveals-shock-after-macarthur-teammates-arrests

Although he was born in England, Smith grew up on the North Shore.

“I’ve been away for 17 years now, not living in the country and I’ve got my parents that live there, a brother and a sister that live there.

“To be close to them is great as well but first and foremost the ambition the club has shown, they wanted to win a trophy from the start.

“At the age I’m at now, I don’t have time to lose so that was a massive draw for me as well.”

Smith has another big commitment to see to before he returns to New Zealand to report for pre-season in July.

Smith will be the best man at Chris Wood’s wedding, which is likely to limit his involvement in the upcoming OFC Nations Cup in Fiji and Vanuatu.

“I’m the best man so it’s one of those ones I couldn’t miss,” Smith said.

“I’m excited but it will mean I miss the first two games, if selected for the Nations Cup.

“I’ve spoken to Darren Bazeley about that so obviously the ball is in his court regarding what he wants to do but I said I’m available for as much as I can be but I can’t miss that wedding.”
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almost 2 years ago
I noticed in Greece last year just how close the Wood family and Tommy are. All were down to earth, Chris, his family and Tommy and all very friendly. Not so sure that’s the case with some who play for England, Portugal, France etc.
Supporter world's best and worst football teams: Waikato/WaiBop, Kingz, Knights, Phoenix, The Argyle, The Whites & the All Whites

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almost 2 years ago
Wood 32, Smith 34. Both moving to the UK as teenagers (in Smith's case returning to the UK).

Both going to the 2010 WC, very young. Lots of AWs tours together. 
Wood even had an eight game stint at Ipswich in 2014/2015, during Smith's long stretch there.

So yes not surprising they are good mates. Might have even played some Auckland/NZ age group stuff together, a long time ago.

I somehow like the thought of Smith being Wood's best man, rather than any of the UK footballers the Woodsman would have played with over the years.

Still I hope if Baze has to make a hard decision, like not picking Smith for the 2026 WC, he's not influenced by Tommy being a great mate of the AWs captain.

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8 months ago

Already posted this in the Auckland thread but posting here as well for consistency.

Tommy heading back to the UK
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8 months ago
He did well at Auckland FC.

Wouldn't be surprised to see him pick up a lower league player coach role.
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8 months ago · edited 8 months ago · History
MetalLegNZ
He did well at Auckland FC.

Wouldn't be surprised to see him pick up a lower league player coach role.

Maybe with his mate Parkinson at Wrexham? As you say, more of a coaching role/squad member
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8 months ago
Surely that’s his playing career done. He’s was bench warming in L2 before his Aussie lifeline. I really can’t see him playing 40+ games if he couldnt do it downunder.

I image he’s on his way to a coaching/scouting/agent gig.
Supporter world's best and worst football teams: Waikato/WaiBop, Kingz, Knights, Phoenix, The Argyle, The Whites & the All Whites

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8 months ago
While sad to see him go, it is also will allow the likes of Stranger and Billy T, to have a fair go at making the All Whites - or even other players in other posis.

He is obviously valued by influential people in the AW’s set up, so am sure he will end up with a coaching role at the World Cup.

Auckland will rise once more

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8 months ago
I think if money isn't a big concern for him he could easily pick up a League Two contract if he wanted it. I think if he was intending to retire then he would have said so upon leaving AFC. 
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8 months ago
Joins Gray’s former club in the National League. Which I think completes the English pyramid of the   Having kiwis in each tier from Premier League to all the way to National League North
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8 months ago · edited 8 months ago · History
Good on him but surely this now means his AWs (playing) days are over.
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8 months ago
Will be embarassing now if Baze continues to pick him. Chris Wood doesn't need him in the squad anymore to catch up with his pal, he lives 2 hours down the road. Though I wouldn't be surprised if Baze still does
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8 months ago · edited 8 months ago · History
Yep with all due respect to the club he has signed for, it would be embarrassing to see that clubs name on the squads list.

Would guarantee that many neutrals would look into the back story on how the heck that club has a representative at the World Cup.

Would prefer even an “Unattached FC”

Auckland will rise once more

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