Richard Smallwood

Middlesbrough

Smallwood's natural position is the holding role in the centre of midfield. He is a product of the Middlesbrough Academy having begun his career with his home-town club Redcar Town. At the start of the 2009–10 season, Smallwood signed his first professional contract with the club. Smallwood made his debut for Middlesbrough on 19 October 2010 in a 1–0 away defeat to Nottingham Forest. In January 2011, Smallwood signed an 18-month contract with the club. On 2 May 2011, Smallwood scored his first goal for the club in a 3–0 win against Cardiff City. On 3 November 2012, he scored his second league goal in a 4–1 win away to Charlton Athletic. However, in the 2013–14 season, Smallwood lost his first team place following new arrivals. Under the management of Aitor Karanka, Smallwood was among the players to be offloaded as part of Karanka's plans to reduce the squad size.

Rotherham United

On 23 January 2014, Smallwood joined Rotherham United on loan for the remainder of the 2013–14 season. Shortly after arriving at Rotherham United, Smallwood quickly went straight into the first team; he was sent-off for a late challenge on Billy Knott, as Rotherham United beat Port Vale 1–0 on 21 April 2014. As a result of the challenge, Smallwood had to serve a three-match suspension, missing the last two games of the season and one match in the play-offs. Smallwood scored the winning penalty in the shoot-out after taking the fifth penalty to win it as Rotherham…

He was a member of the England under-18 squad which defeated Austria 2–0 at Hartlepool United's Victoria Park on 16 April 2008.

As of end of 2025–26 season

Rotherham United

Football League One play-offs: 2014 Blackburn Rovers

EFL League One second-place promotion: 2017–18 Hull City

EFL League One: 2020–21 Bradford City

EFL League Two third-place promotion: 2024–25 Individual

Rotherham United Player of the Season: 2014–15 EFL League Two Team of the Season: 2024–25 Bradford City Player of the Season: 2024–25