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Amari Morgan-Smith

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Amari Morgan-Smith
Morgan-Smith playing for York City in 2017
Personal information
Full name Amari Aaron Morgan-Smith[1]
Date of birth (1989-04-03) 3 April 1989 (age 35)[1]
Place of birth Wolverhampton, England
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)[1]
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
 Kidderminster Harriers
Number 9
Youth career
0000–2007 Crewe Alexandra
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2007 Crewe Alexandra 0 (0)
2007 → Alsager Town (loan)
2007–2008 Stockport County 1 (0)
2008–2010 Ilkeston Town[a] 39 (18)
2010–2012 Luton Town 37 (14)
2012–2013 Macclesfield Town 24 (4)
2013 → Kidderminster Harriers (loan) 5 (1)
2013–2014 Kidderminster Harriers 37 (9)
2014–2015 Oldham Athletic 13 (2)
2015–2017 Cheltenham Town 44 (5)
2017 → York City (loan) 18 (4)
2017–2018 York City 28 (4)
2018–2019 Telford United 50 (11)
2019–2020 Alfreton Town 16 (12)
2020– Kidderminster Harriers 132 (33)
International career
2010–2011 England C 2 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 17:46, 6 June 2024 (UTC)

Amari Aaron Morgan-Smith (born 3 April 1989) is an English professional footballer who plays as a striker for National League North club Kidderminster Harriers. He has previously played for Crewe Alexandra, Alsager Town, Stockport County, Ilkeston Town, Luton Town, Macclesfield Town, Kidderminster Harriers, Oldham Athletic, Cheltenham Town and York City.

Club career

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Early career

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Born in Wolverhampton, West Midlands,[1] Morgan-Smith began his career in the youth system at Crewe Alexandra.[2] He went on loan to Northern Premier League First Division club Alsager Town late in the 2006–07 season.[3] Morgan-Smith was released in the summer of 2007, before going on trial at Stockport County with 150 other players through the club's Just Search campaign.[2] He was one of just two players signed by Stockport on 5 September 2007 on a one-year professional contract.[2] He made his debut for Stockport on 3 May 2008, coming on as a 66th-minute substitute in a 1–0 home victory over Brentford.[4] Morgan-Smith was released by the club a month later.[5]

Ilkeston Town

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He joined Northern Premier League Premier Division club Ilkeston Town in the summer of 2008,[6] helping the club earn promotion to the Conference North in 2008–09 with a 2–1 win over Nantwich Town on 3 May 2009 in the play-off final.[7] Following his scoring prowess, Ilkeston manager Kevin Wilson described Morgan-Smith as "one of the hottest properties in non-league football".[8] During the summer of 2010, Morgan-Smith trained with Championship club Derby County on a trial period, though the club opted against signing him.[9] On 8 September, Ilkeston were liquidated by HM Revenue and Customs over a £50,000 unpaid tax bill.[10] Morgan-Smith was therefore released from the club with immediate effect. He joined League One club Carlisle United on trial on 21 September, but was not offered a contract.[9]

Luton Town

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Morgan-Smith playing for Luton Town in 2011

On 28 September 2010, he joined Conference Premier club Luton Town on a two-year contract.[11] He played the same day in a 2–0 victory over Mansfield Town, scoring on his debut.[12] Morgan-Smith scored a hat-trick for the club in a 4–0 FA Cup win against St Albans City on 23 October 2010.[13] This led to him winning the award for Player of the Round.[14]

Morgan-Smith started 2011–12 on form, scoring nine goals in 13 league matches, before a succession of serious injuries kept him out for most of the remaining campaign.[15] The uncertainty over his fitness led to Luton manager Paul Buckle releasing him from his contract in June 2012.[16]

He was taken on trial by League One club Doncaster Rovers during pre-season, scoring against Hull City in a friendly, but was not offered a contract.[17]

Macclesfield Town

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On 31 August 2012, Morgan-Smith signed for Conference Premier club Macclesfield Town on a one-year contract.[18] He made his debut for the club on 1 September 2012 in a 4–1 defeat against his former club Luton Town.[19]

On 31 January 2013, he signed on loan for Kidderminster Harriers for a month.[20] He made five appearances for the club, scoring in a 3–1 victory over Alfreton Town.[19] He was recalled from his loan early by Macclesfield and went on to play in eight further matches, scoring twice. He was released at the end of the season after scoring four goals in 28 appearances.[21]

Kidderminster Harriers

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After training with Mansfield Town and his former club Luton Town in the summer of 2013, Morgan-Smith signed for Kidderminster Harriers on a short-term contract on 5 September 2013.[21] He scored two goals in a 4–1 win against Forest Green Rovers on 8 October 2013.[19] On 11 November 2013, he extended his contract until the end of the season after impressing with 3 goals in 11 appearances.[22]

Manager Gary Whild stated on 4 June 2014 that it was likely Morgan-Smith would be leaving the club.[23] Morgan-Smith turned down the offer of a new contract.[citation needed]

Oldham Athletic

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He signed for League One club Oldham Athletic on 21 July 2014 on a one-year contract, with the option of a further year.[24]

Cheltenham Town

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On 29 May 2015, Morgan-Smith signed a one-year contract with newly relegated National League club Cheltenham Town.[25]

York City and A.F.C. Telford United

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On 12 January 2017, Morgan-Smith joined National League club York City on loan until the end of 2016–17.[26] On 21 May 2017, he started as York beat Macclesfield Town 3–2 at Wembley Stadium in the 2017 FA Trophy Final.[27] He was released by Cheltenham at the end of 2016–17.[28]

On 30 June 2017, Morgan-Smith re-signed for York City permanently on a one-year contract.[29]

He signed for York's National League North rivals A.F.C. Telford United on 2 February 2018 on a one-and-a-half-year contract.[30]

Alfreton Town

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On 13 July 2019, Morgan-Smith joined Alfreton Town.[31]

2nd spell at Kidderminster

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On 25 June 2020, Morgan-Smith resigned for Kidderminster Harriers on a one-year contract, almost 8 years after first joining on loan from Macclesfield. The transfer fee was paid personally by the Harrier's owners during the COVID-19 Pandemic to ensure no impact to the club finances.[32] He scored twice in a pre-season friendly vs Alvechurch that September, as league start dates were pushed back to October due to the pandemic. Across the 2021-22 season, Morgan-Smith scored 17 goals, including one against Reading FC in the FA Cup 3rd Round. Amari (colloquially abbreviated to AMS around the club) became an integral part of the Harriers line-up and, on the 13th of April 2022, extended his deal until the end of the 2022-23 season.[33] Morgan-Smith's 22-23 campaign was hit with injuries, however once injury free he was back leading the line at the Worcestershire club, forming a formidable partnership with Ashley Hemmings up front. Morgan-Smith scored 6 goals in the last 8 games as Harriers won promotion via the play offs back to the conference, which included the winner during the 1-0 play off quarter final win at Alfreton and the third goal in a 4–1 win at King's Lynn in the play off semi finals. It was reported during the summer of 2023, Morgan-Smith had agreed a new one-year deal to remain at Kidderminster for the 23-24 season.

International career

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Morgan-Smith was called up to the England national C team for a match against the Republic of Ireland under-23 team in May 2010, in which he made his debut.[34] He was capped twice by England C from 2010 to 2011.[35]

Career statistics

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As of 2 April 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup EFL Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Stockport County 2007–08[36] League Two 1 0 0 0 — 0 0 1 0
Ilkeston Town[a] 2009–10[37] Conference North 39 18 5 3 — 2[b] 0 46 21
Luton Town 2010–11[38] Conference Premier 20 5 3 3 — 4[b] 0 27 8
2011–12[39] Conference Premier 17 9 1 0 — 3[c] 1 21 10
Total 37 14 4 3 — 7 1 48 18
Macclesfield Town 2012–13[19] Conference Premier 24 4 5 1 — 1[b] 0 30 5
Kidderminster Harriers (loan) 2012–13[19] Conference Premier 5 1 — — — 5 1
Kidderminster Harriers 2013–14[19] Conference Premier 37 9 7 2 — 0 0 44 11
Total 42 10 7 2 — 0 0 49 12
Oldham Athletic 2014–15[40] League One 13 2 1 0 0 0 1[d] 0 15 2
Cheltenham Town 2015–16[19] National League 27 5 2 0 — 0 0 29 5
2016–17[41] League Two 17 0 2 0 2 0 4[e] 2 25 2
Total 44 5 4 0 2 0 4 2 54 7
York City (loan) 2016–17[19] National League 18 4 — — 6[b] 2 24 6
York City 2017–18[19][42] National League North 28 4 2 0 — 2[b] 1 32 5
Total 46 8 2 0 — 8 3 56 11
A.F.C. Telford United 2017–18[19] National League North 14 3 — — — 14 3
Kidderminster Harriers 2021-22 National League North 33 11 4 2 1 0 38 14
2022-23 National League North 43 11 0 0 0 0 43 11
2023-24 National League 42 10 1 0 0 0 43 10
2024-25 National League North 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 1
Total 118 32 5 2 — 1 0 124 34
Career total 346 85 31 9 2 0 22 6 401 100
  1. ^ a b The Ilkeston Town appearances and goals only cover the 2009–10 season.
  2. ^ a b c d e Appearance(s) in FA Trophy
  3. ^ One appearance and one goal in FA Trophy, two appearances in Conference Premier play-offs
  4. ^ Appearance in Football League Trophy
  5. ^ Appearances in EFL Trophy

Honours

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Ilkeston Town

Cheltenham Town

York City

Kidderminster Harriers

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2008). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2008–09. Edinburgh: Mainstream Publishing. p. 299. ISBN 978-1-84596-324-8.
  2. ^ a b c "Just Search for a star unearths two gems". Manchester Evening News. 5 September 2007. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
  3. ^ "Bradford Park Avenue 4, Alsager Town 1". Chester Chronicle. 4 April 2007. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
  4. ^ "Stockport 1–0 Brentford". BBC Sport. 3 May 2008. Retrieved 13 January 2017.
  5. ^ "Promoted Stockport release nine". BBC Sport. 2 June 2008. Retrieved 30 September 2010.
  6. ^ "Ilkeston need a new 'hero'". Nottingham Post. 14 August 2008. Archived from the original on 13 January 2017.
  7. ^ a b "Play-off joy for Ilkeston". Nottingham Post. 3 May 2009. Archived from the original on 13 January 2017.
  8. ^ "Ilkeston striker is "hottest property in non-league", says his boss". Nottingham Post. 20 August 2010. Archived from the original on 13 January 2017.
  9. ^ a b "Carlisle hand trial to striker Amari Morgan-Smith". BBC Sport. 21 September 2010. Retrieved 30 September 2010.
  10. ^ "Ilkeston Town Football Club wound up over unpaid tax". BBC News. 8 September 2010. Retrieved 30 September 2010.
  11. ^ "Luton Town sign striker Amari Morgan-Smith". BBC Sport. 28 September 2010. Retrieved 30 September 2010.
  12. ^ "Luton Town 2–0 Mansfield Town". BBC Sport. 28 September 2010. Retrieved 30 September 2010.
  13. ^ "Luton Town 4–0 St Albans City". Luton Town F.C. 23 October 2010. Archived from the original on 26 October 2010.
  14. ^ "Amari claims FA Cup award". Luton Town F.C. 2 November 2010. Archived from the original on 7 November 2010.
  15. ^ Cunliffe, James (9 March 2012). "Amari injury a big worry for Hatters". Bedfordshire on Sunday. Bedford. Archived from the original on 13 January 2017.
  16. ^ "Mansfield bring in George Pilkington and Godfrey Poku". BBC Sport. 19 June 2012. Retrieved 13 January 2017.
  17. ^ "Report: Rovers 3–1 Hull City". Doncaster Rovers F.C. 31 July 2012. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
  18. ^ "Macclesfield Town sign Mills, McNamee and Morgan-Smith". BBC Sport. 31 August 2012. Retrieved 13 January 2017.
  19. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "A. Morgan-Smith: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  20. ^ "Kidderminster Harriers: Amari Morgan-Smith & Nat Jarvis join". BBC Sport. 31 January 2013. Retrieved 13 January 2017.
  21. ^ a b "Amari Morgan-Smith returns to Harriers". Kidderminster Shuttle. 5 September 2013. Retrieved 13 January 2017.
  22. ^ "Kidderminster Harriers: Amari Morgan-Smith signs for season". BBC Sport. 11 November 2013. Retrieved 13 January 2017.
  23. ^ "Boss Gary Whild admits Harriers duo are likely to move on ahead of new season..." Kidderminster Harriers F.C. 4 June 2014. Archived from the original on 16 January 2017.
  24. ^ "Oldham Athletic: Amari Morgan-Smith & Willie Gros join". BBC Sport. 21 July 2014. Retrieved 13 January 2017.
  25. ^ "Amari Morgan-Smith: Striker signs for Cheltenham Town". BBC Sport. 29 May 2015. Retrieved 13 January 2017.
  26. ^ Flett, Dave (12 January 2017). "Cheltenham striker Amari Morgan-Smith joins York City on loan until the end of the season". The Press. York. Retrieved 13 January 2017.
  27. ^ a b Flett, Dave (21 May 2017). "York City lift FA Trophy to win at Wembley for a fourth time in their history". The Press. York. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
  28. ^ "Cheltenham Town: Eleven players released after 21st place finish". BBC Sport. 9 May 2017. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
  29. ^ "Parslow and Morgan-Smith agree permanent deals with York City". The Press. York. 30 June 2017. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
  30. ^ Appleyard, Ian (2 February 2018). "Striker joins AFC Telford United". York City F.C. Retrieved 2 February 2018.
  31. ^ Alfreton sign Morgan-Smith[usurped], nonleaguedaily.com, 13 July 2019
  32. ^ "Morgan-Smith returns to Reds". Official Website of the Harriers - Kidderminster Harriers FC. 25 June 2020. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
  33. ^ "Morgan-Smith staying with Reds". Official Website of the Harriers - Kidderminster Harriers FC. 13 April 2022. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
  34. ^ Appleby, Mike (27 May 2010). "England C start strongly". The Football Association. Archived from the original on 22 October 2013.
  35. ^ Williams; Williams (eds.). Non-League Club Directory 2013. pp. 1003, 1005, 1009.
  36. ^ "Games played by Amari Morgan-Smith in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 January 2017.
  37. ^ Williams, Tony; Wright, James, eds. (2010). Non-League Club Directory 2011. Tony Williams Publications. pp. 224–225. ISBN 978-1-869833-68-8.
  38. ^ Williams, Mike; Williams, Tony, eds. (2011). Non-League Club Directory 2012. Tony Williams Publications. pp. 116–117. ISBN 978-1-869833-70-1.
  39. ^ Williams, Mike; Williams, Tony, eds. (2012). Non-League Club Directory 2013. Tony Williams Publications. pp. 104–105. ISBN 978-1-869833-77-0.
  40. ^ "Games played by Amari Morgan-Smith in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 January 2017.
  41. ^ "Games played by Amari Morgan-Smith in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 17 July 2017.
  42. ^ Flett, Dave (17 September 2017). "York City dig deep to progress in FA Cup amid the Salford rubble". The Press. York. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
    Flett, Dave (1 October 2017). "Poor Shaftesbury Avenue show sees curtain come down on Gary Mills' second spell as York City manager". The Press. York. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
    Flett, Dave (26 November 2017). "York City have last laugh following Coalville taunts in 3–1 Trophy triumph". The Press. York. Retrieved 26 November 2017.
  43. ^ "Highlights: Harriers promoted at Brackley". 16 May 2023.
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