Shane Smeltz

In England 2005–07

Smeltz played for a variety of amateur and semi-professional Australian clubs before he played a brief five match spell for Mansfield Town in the English Football League Two in 2005. After being released by Mansfield he signed for AFC Wimbledon in March 2005, where he made 60 competitive appearances and scored 26 goals. He played the following season for Halifax Town in the Conference National.

Wellington Phoenix

Smeltz returned to New Zealand in 2007, signing a two-year deal with the Wellington Phoenix in the A-League. In his first season, he finished second in the Golden Boot race with nine goals from 19 appearances. In the 2008–09 season, Smeltz scored a record-equalling 12 goals for the A-League season proper, resulting in the A-League Golden Boot 2008-09 and also goal of the season for his winning strike against Melbourne Victory at Westpac Stadium in round 13. In 2008–09 season Smeltz was voted the A-League's best player and was awarded the Johnny Warren Medal.

Gold Coast United

In November 2008 the Phoenix lost its battle to retain Smeltz for the 2009 season as he signed a three-year deal with A-League expansion club Gold Coast United. Smeltz scored nine goals on his Gold Coast United debut as Miron Bleiberg's men recorded a 12–1 victory in their inaugural outing, a friendly against Mudgeeraba SC. On 8 August 2009, Smeltz scored his club's first goal in their first A-League game against Brisbane Roar. In the following…

Smeltz has played for the under-20, under-23 and senior New Zealand national teams. He scored his first goal for the All Whites, an away friendly on 25 April 2006, against Chile. In that game Smeltz also became the first AFC Wimbledon player to win international honours, and the first to become an international goalscorer. In May 2007, he was the scorer of both New Zealand goals in an impressive 2–2 draw against Wales. On 19 November 2007, following his impressive form with Wellington Phoenix in the A-League and consistent performances for the All Whites, Smeltz was voted New Zealand footballer of the year, ahead of FA Premier League star Ryan Nelsen and Celtic striker Chris Killen. In December 2008, Smeltz was named Oceania federation player of 2007. Smeltz travelled to South Africa as part of the New Zealand squad for both the 2009 Confederations Cup and 2010 World Cup Finals. He scored a goal at the latter against 2006 World Cup winners Italy in Nelspruit, making him the first ever A-League player to score in the World Cup Finals. He was part of the New Zealand men's team at the 2012 Summer Olympics. During a World Cup qualifying match against New Caledonia on 22 March 2013, Smeltz was the victim of a high boot to the face in the opposing penalty area, leaving him bloodied. Smeltz scored his last international goal in a 2015 friendly against Myanmar. He was a part of the New Zealand squad that played in the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup.

International goals…

Club

Smeltz was born in Göppingen, West Germany to ethnic German parents with New Zealand citizenship. Six months later he moved to New Zealand. In November 1987, at the age of six, Smeltz moved to the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia, where he pursued a career in football through the Queensland Academy of Sport and was brought up for the remainder of his adolescent years while holding a New Zealand visa. Smeltz was granted dual-citizenship at the age of 23, becoming a dual-citizen of New Zealand and Australia. He attended Palm Beach Currumbin High School on the Gold Coast during his teenage years and was classmates with future professional surfers Mick Fanning and Joel Parkinson. Smeltz lives in Sydney with his wife Nikki (who later became a federal election candidate for United Australia Party) and daughters Bonnie and Scarlett but spends the off season on the Gold Coast and still considers it to be his home. Smeltz currently works player agent, and represents a number of players.