Gary Smith

After a brief spell at Arsenal as a schoolboy, Smith joined Fulham's youth academy in 1983. He progressed through the youth ranks at the club, and made one first-team appearance during the 1985–86 season. Smith was released in 1987, having spent four years on the books at Fulham. Smith signed for Colchester United on a free transfer in November 1987, making his debut at the age of 18 in a 2–1 away victory at Halifax Town. He went on to make 12 appearances for Colchester in all competitions during the 1987–88 season, his last a 4–0 defeat to Bolton Wanderers on 2 May 1988. He was released by the club at the end of the season. After a spell at Enfield in the first half of the 1989–90 season, where he appeared against Darlington in October 1989, Smith joined Wycombe Wanderers in January 1990. It was to be Smith's most successful spell during his playing days, scoring four goals in 66 Football Conference games over two seasons. However, towards the end of his time at the club, he suffered a number of injuries, including a compound fracture that Smith would never fully recover from. After spending a season at Welling United, Smith returned to the Football League in 1993, signing for Barnet, spending two seasons with the club, with Smith suffering similar injury problems. He spent time at Aylesbury United during the 1995–96 campaign, making his debut in 1–0 away defeat to Dulwich Hamlet on the opening day of the season. Smith went on to make 43 appearances in all competitions for…

Smith began his coaching career with Wimbledon at the age of 28, gaining his UEFA 'A' licence coaching badge two years later. After Wimbledon's relocation to Milton Keynes, manager Tony Adams offered Smith the chance to take up the role of youth team coach at Wycombe Wanderers in 2004, where he later became assistant first team coach. Following the resignation of Adams, Smith briefly filled the role of assistant manager to caretaker manager Keith Ryan in November 2004, and the club were unbeaten under their guidance. Smith reverted to his previous role of youth team coach when Wycombe appointed manager John Gorman on 30 November 2004. Ahead of the 2005–06 campaign, Smith was offered the chance to take up the post of assistant academy manager at Championship side Watford, formally taking the position on 24 June 2005. Wycombe manager Gorman stated — "I will miss Gary. He helped Keith Ryan in the time between Tony leaving and me arriving and they did a great job. We didn't want to lose him but he's been headhunted and you can't stop someone from having an opportunity. He's a very good coach at this level and I think he'll go onto do a great job". In July 2005, after just a month as assistant academy manager, Smith was appointed as reserve team coach for Watford. It was announced that Smith would take control of the reserve side on matchdays, as well as act as the Academy U18 team manager, thus taking on dual responsibilities. Smith later worked as a scout for Arsenal in…

Smith was born in Harlow, Essex, and grew up in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, with most of his family hailing from Tottenham. His grandparents lived next to White Hart Lane, with Smith recalling being able to hear the roar of the crowd from their back garden. Despite his family all supporting Tottenham Hotspur, Smith supports Arsenal. Smith, his wife, Emma, and their three children moved recently to the Nashville area. Smith's father, Roger, played for Tottenham Hotspur for six years. After his playing days, Roger became a youth academy coach at Arsenal, before later becoming a scout for the club. Roger was appointed chief scout at Cardiff City in 2008.

As manager

Colorado Rapids

MLS Cup: 2010