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Former Blue Smith in Limbo
Wednesday, 3rd Jun 2020 11:11

Former Town defender Tommy Smith says he is in limbo after his short-term Sunderland contract came to an end last week without him having played a game.

The 30-year-old joined the Black Cats in February but hadn’t made his debut before the season was suspended in March, although had been an unused sub on two occasions.

"It was just really bad timing and unfortunately I'd only signed a short-term deal," Smith told the NZHerald.

"Clubs in League One don't know when games are going ahead again so the chairman said he wasn't going to exercise any extension which is fair enough, so I knew that was coming.

"But he also said I might be looked at again in the future once things are a bit clearer moving forward.”

The New Zealand international added: "I can't sign for anyone else until the transfer window opens [on June 10th] anyway.

"I've had a little bit of interest both in the UK and abroad but I think clubs are holding fire on making those decisions until they know what's going to be happening, [firstly] with this season and [secondly] when next season is going to be scheduled and that isn't even clear yet.

"So I'm in limbo a bit at the moment but all I can do is keep myself fit and be ready to take the next chance wherever that may be. I've got a lot left in me yet.”

Smith, who prior to joining the Wearsiders had been training with Town’s U23s to keep fit, and wife Leanne are currently back in Suffolk awaiting the birth of their first child in September.

"Our main priority is to make sure everything is safe and healthy with the pregnancy and go from there," he said.

"While we're settled in the UK, it would be ideal to stay here if possible. There's always motivation to stay as fit as you can because your career is based on you being fit and well.

“It's quite a challenge though when you don't know when you'll be training or playing again. You don't want to overdo your fitness work but you don't want to undercook yourself either.

"It'll just be a case of waiting for that next opportunity and taking it with both hands when it does come along, which I'm sure it will."


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Essexnblue added 11:22 - Jun 3
Next stop Colchester United
2

ArnieM added 11:29 - Jun 3
He's not in limbo , he's unemployed , like a good few others in the lower leagues now. Town need to be very careful who they recruit going forwards . A lot of dead wood out of work right now.
3

CokeIsKey added 11:34 - Jun 3
I'm not sure about this one. If he couldn't even play in a very average Sunderland XI I don't think he would hit the ground running here. He's not young anymore and will probably want relativley high wages.
2

Wallingford_Boy added 11:51 - Jun 3
CokelsKey - I don't think anyone (sane) is thinking he'll return to us! That ship has certainly sailed. He was never a standout defender but always put a good shift in. Not played at a decent level for a while so imagine a league Two side awaits..
4

SheptonMalletBlue added 14:08 - Jun 3
Love to see Tommy in blue again. Then we can get shot of Fist Pumper once and for all !!!!
-2

blues1 added 15:50 - Jun 3
SheptonMalletBlue. So you want to get rid of an average player(but good captain), to bring in an even more average player? Yer, that would work. NOT.
1

ITFCsince73 added 15:52 - Jun 3
Agree Arniem. But also some very good players available on a free.
And off field staff as well.
1

ITFCsince73 added 16:18 - Jun 3
Average player, good captain. Great combination for success. NOT.
0

rugbytomc added 17:22 - Jun 3
For his aerial ability in both boxes, I'd never have let him go and would bring him back now IF he's fit and IF we can move on Nsiala. But I'd really like to hear from him how his departure came about. It still puzzles me. Bit like why did we allow Berra to leave on a free and pay Delaney to leave?!
1

Wallingford_Boy added 18:04 - Jun 3
Because Berra wanted to finish his career in his home country. Sometimes the player does have say u know!
1

Linkboy13 added 19:12 - Jun 3
We can talk about this till the cows come home (or in this case donkeys) Tommy's not coming back his days are gone he's been out of competitive football for too long. He had a chance to impress while training with Ipswich he obviously didn't. He failed at Sunderland it's time to move on.
-1


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