Tommy Smith will only reach the age of 24 at the end of the month but he is already planning for the days when his playing career is over.

Hopefully, that will not be for a long time yet, but the Town defender is preparing for the future and is already more than halfway through a sports science degree course.

Smith said: “It’s ticking along. I’ve complete two years and I’m in my third so it will take me another two years after this academic year to get it done.

“It’s a distance learning thing so I don’t actually go in during the week or anything like that. They spread the modules out over a longer period so that gives you the time to complete it.

“In June I have to go up to the uni — Manchester Metropolitan at Crewe — and do a five-day practical assessment. I’m doing it in my spare time and I’m determined to see it through.”

While Smith’s career is progressing well he is not blind to the potential pitfalls and wants to be as well prepared as possible — just in case.

He added: “It will be good to have that behind me because you never know what could happen in football. It will be something to fall back on and I’d encourage anyone to do the same.

“Education is really important because tomorrow I could go out and train, get injured and that could be it. You have to make the most of the opportunities that are available and the PFA have been great.

“They subsidise a lot of it and I’m really enjoying the course. It’s something I am interested in and if I wasn’t a footballer I probably would have done it anyway. They like you to do 10 hours a week and I probably should do a bit more than I do but I’m doing enough to get by at the moment.

“I probably need to knuckle down a bit more to ensure I’m comfortable. It’s all done online and I have access to my lecture slides. It’s really good stuff.”

Smith is the only member of Town’s senior squad in further education but he revealed that defensive partner Christophe Berra is set to embark on the very same course.

He said: “Christophe is starting the same course in the next academic year in September and there are a few other footballers also on board. Dean Furman of Doncaster is one I’ve seen up there.

“I’m looking to head into the fitness coach side of things, like Andy Liddell’s role here, but there comes a time when you can branch off into different stuff.

“James Krause, the Academy Prozone guy, did a sports science degree then channelled off into analysis so there’s a lot of different routes you can take. I haven’t decided on one but it’s nice to have that option there.”

Photo: Action Images

ScottCandage added 06:20 - Mar 18 Coaching badges are next. Set yourself up for your life, son!
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DiamondGezzer added 07:06 - Mar 18 Mick Mcarthy's not the only one with a lot of time for Tommy I'm sure. Sounds like a sensible lad, unlike some who seem to feel their chosen career will never come to an end.
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cornishnick added 08:31 - Mar 18 All very good etc etc, but is it really necessary for the course to be subsidised? Even players in the Championship get paid more in a month than many fans get in a year.
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John_Portman added 09:09 - Mar 18 i agree that subsidising the courses is probaby a bit unecessary but good on Tommy for furthering his education. I often forget that he's still only 23, nice to know he's planning ahead and he's got a good head on his shoulders.
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Smithy added 09:41 - Mar 18 Looks like he's giving that ex-scummer a good kicking in that picture!
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gazzmac4 added 09:50 - Mar 18 Not sure the PFA funds all players for stuff like this but i do think they have a duty to protect the younger professionals such as Tommy by funding certain things. I agree that they dont necessarily need to spend mch on it though, surely they could be better spent on facilities etc? Does anyone know if the FA give the PFA the funds every year or are they self generated? I suppose that would give us the best idea of who makes the decisions on how and when the money is spent.

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RonFearonsHair added 19:13 - Mar 18 Is there anyone you would rather your daughter brought home from a date than Tommy Smith?? It's true that he probably doesn't need this subsidised. But there will be many members of the PFA in lower leagues that would. I'm sure they have a duty to treat all their members the same as I believe they all pay the same subs. Happy to be corrected.
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MickMillsTash added 20:41 - Mar 18 Good PR - beats the nonsense coming out from Portman Road last season regarding Chopra's off field habits, Taylors drinking, N'Daws alleged assault etc etc
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TimmyH added 22:08 - Mar 18 When he said he was 'planning ahead for the future' - I thought it might be in regards to surging out of defense and creating opportunities for our wide men or strikers i.e. wanting to become a midfielder - I should think pretty easy at the moment, two birds with one stone, Berra/Chambers together and Smith bulldozing in the middle.
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