DANNY SMITH

D.O.B: 17/08/1982

BIRTH PLACE: Southampton

Previous Clubs:

AFC Bournemouth, Winchester City, Eastleigh, Bashley, Bognor Regis

Position: Midfielder

Nationality: English

STATS 2010-2011

Games Played (Sub Appearances): 41 (1)

Goals:3

EFC All time - up to end of 2010/2011 season

Games Played: 271

Goals: 26

Eastleigh League Debut:

August 2004

 

Linked up with Eastleigh in June 2009 for a second spell signing from Bognor Regis Town. A Youth Community Football Coach with Eastleigh FC.

Director of Football Dave Malone confirmed the news of Danny Smith re-uniting with the Spitfires: "We are pleased to confirm that Danny Smith has re-signed for EFC, after spells with both Bashley and Bognor.

"Danny is a welcome addition to our squad, and we look forward to him playing an important part in our quest to emulate or even better our performance in 2009/2010."

Danny initially signed for Eastleigh in August 2004 from Winchester City after captaining his former side to success in the FA Vase. The defensive midfielder played 24 times for AFC Bournemouth before he made his move to Winchester. Smith is also a product of Bashley’s youth academy.

Many other Conference sides including Aldershot and Exeter were very close to signing Smith in the summer of 2004, but Paul Doswell managed to pull off a fantastic signing at about the same time he brought Andy Forbes to the club.

Danny captained the side and played a tremendous role in Eastleigh’s promotion campaign to the Conference South in the 2004/2005 season.

During 2005/2006, he played the most number of games (47), for Eastleigh and the skipper chipped in with 8 goals - a great return for a central midfield player.

He is a terrific leader and hard worker with a 'never-say-die' attitude.

At the commencement of the 2006/7 season, Danny put pen to paper, signing a 3-year deal.

In December 2007, Baird agreed for the former team skipper to join Southern Premier outfit Bashley on a month's loan to get some games under his belt.

Towards the end of January 2008 it was revealed that Danny would extend his loan stay until the middle of March, which later became a permanent deal.

After three seasons at Eastleigh and playing a significant part in the clubs rise up the Non-League pyramid, Danny remained an important and integral member of the Spitfires' thriving Football in The Community team, even after his move away from the club as a player.

On his return to the club in the 2009/10 season, Danny battled it out with Riviere and Adeniyi for a place in the centre of midfield and for large parts of the campaign made the position his own after several strong performances.

Smith has also proved to be very versatile as demonstrated by the number of games he has filled in admirably at right back; where typically he has been just as whole-hearted. Smith was a key fixture in the team during 2010/11 making over 40 appearances for the club.

JAMIE MONTIGUE