Alloa Athletic’s Darren Smith laughed off his Manager Allan Maitland’s claims that ‘he was the best part-time player in Scotland’ when he signed him from Raith Rovers in the close season. However, Maitland’s claims will have been met with approval at Berwick Rangers and Brechin City were Smith has spent most of his career.
Whilst Smith may go on and prove Maitland to be correct, he has still a bit to go before his name ranks alongside that of his Dad’s in the Recreation Park’s history books.
The modest 30-year-old progressed from the prolific Hutchison Vale Boys Club in Edinburgh to the Borders where he spent seven seasons before moving to Angus where he spent four years and these two stints saw Smith feature in more than 300 games scoring more than 50 goals.
Smith then moved to Raith Rovers for a season in the First Division before Maitland recruited the player he rates so highly this summer. The duo are out to close the gap in the Second Division table between themselves and Smith’s former Glebe Park side when they meet at Recreation Park on Saturday.
“I was at Hutchison Vale until I was 16,” said Smith before adding, “And it seems a long time ago I started there. I had played at boys club level in Edinburgh and then moved to Berwick at Under-17 level.
“I made my debut aged 18 when Paul Smith was the Manager and he must have liked me as he was the Assistant Manager at Raith Rovers when I joined them 11 years later.”
Smith’s time at Berwick will always be remembered for a wonder goal for the club situated on the English side of the Border at Scotland’s National Stadium when he was 19.
He played his part in a stunning victory over the side that would end up winning the Third Division title as he explained, “They were doing really well and we were mid-table at that time but we won 4-1.
“I scored a bit of a ‘good’ goal when I picked the ball up inside their half and beat about four of their players before shooting past the goalkeeper,” he said modestly.
“The only thing that disappoints me about it is that there were only 600 people there to see it. Exactly a week later, Hampden was packed out as Scotland played England in the European Championship Play-Off game that Paul Scholes scored twice in and it would have been better if my goal had been scored in front of a crowd like that.”
Smith enjoyed his time at Berwick saying, “I was there for seven years and enjoyed promotion to the Second Division and I left just after we were relegated back to the Third Division in May 2005.
“That had been a difficult season as Paul left in the autumn and Sandy Clark came in however, we finished bottom of the table.”
Smith’s form during that difficult season must have been good all the 
same as he commented, “I must have done okay all the same as Brechin, who won the Second Division Championship, tried to buy me in the January transfer window and Berwick would not let me go but they came back for me at the end of the season.”
It was one half of the Campbell football dynasty that arranged the deal with Smith saying, “You could say it was the quieter of the two Campbell brothers that took me there. It was Ian and I was really grateful to him for giving me an opportunity to play in the First Division.”
Football at that level only lasted one season although Smith’s stay at Glebe Park was to last four years.
A place in the end of season Play-Offs was secured in two of the three season’s Smith spent in the Second Division. However, Airdrie United twice put paid to hopes of a step back to the First Division by winning at the Semi-Final stage.
Smith said, “That was a real shame as Brechin were a great club to be at and I played the best football of my career when I was there.
“I had more legs then than I have now.”
The form shown by the left footed player stirred interest in him as he explained, “I was invited to go on trial at Huddersfield Town, Newcastle United and Dundee United. There were always rumours of interest from full-time clubs but it never came to anything and I have a steady job with Lloyds TSB away from football so I remained level headed about it all anyway.”
“I loved my time at Brechin especially when the training was based around Edinburgh although the travelling to games was getting to me a bit so I fancied a move.”
In the summer of 2009, Smith was given the chance to be reunited with former boss Paul Smith at newly promoted Second Division Champions Raith Rovers.
Smith advised, “My contract was up at Brechin and I went and spoke to the Raith Rovers Manager John McGlynn. Moving there appealed as they were a bigger club, there was less travelling involved and I could stay part-time as they had a mix of full and part-time players and I was being offered a two year deal.
“I started nearly 20 games however, I came off the bench in a good view including the Scottish Cup wins at Aberdeen and Dundee and then the Semi-Final against Dundee United at Hampden.”
One of the games that Smith came off the bench was a surprise, especially to him as he thought he would not be called on. The Scottish Cup replay at Pittodrie against Aberdeen last February saw a patched up Smith help a patched up team to victory.
He explains, “I was just returning from injury and had not expected to be involved in the replay at Aberdeen however, I was pressed into action early as Jonny Russell went off injured after only 20 minutes. We had lost Mark Campbell in the build up to the game through a car crash and it really was all hands to the pump.
“It was a great night when we won through Gregory Tade’s goal and the next round at Dundee was great as well but the Semi-Final was the best experience. It was the biggest game I have played in and Raith Rovers took 12,000 fans through from Kirkcaldy which was great.”
After a successful season with the cup run and securing First Division football again, Smith thought he was in line for a settled close season during the summer however, it never quite worked out like that.
“Raith had ended the season still in the First Division and I was all set to go away on holiday and come back for pre-season as I had a year of my contract left. I got a call to go in and see the Manager and basically, I was told that if I wanted to leave I could.
“I was a bit taken aback and when I knew that Scott McBride was coming in from Cowdenbeath and he plays in a similar position, I thought it best that we all agreed to terminate my contract by mutual consent.”
Smith although surprised by his change in fortune was quickly in demand as Maitland got in touch as he explained, “I had spoken to Allan in the past and when he knew I was available, we got together and had a chat about his side. I met his assistant James Ward as well and although I did go and speak to other clubs, I quickly decided on Alloa.
“They had a good set of players with guys like Bryan Prunty, Scott Walker and David McClune all really respected and that made joining easier. The Manager also brought in Kevin McDonald and Stephen Robertson from Airdrie, Big Mick Dunlop from Dumbarton as well as Jim Lister from the Juniors and Jamie Ewings from Albion Rovers. They are all good players and I knew I was joining a good squad.
“I reckoned we would be a top half side and whilst we have been a wee bit inconsistent, we are in third place just now and have something to build on.”
Asked about his Manager’s claims that he was the best part-time player in Scotland, Smith said, “I read that the Manager had said that and whilst it was nice of him, I reckon he was still on holiday mode when he said it!”
There was another factor in Smith’s decision to opt for Recreation Park as his dad Ian played there and he remains a bit of a hero to Wasps fans and officials.
He explained, “My dad scored the winning goal against Forfar in April 1982 that got Alloa promoted to the First Division and it has been mentioned a fair few times to me. He comes to our games now and he gets a great welcome.
“The Board are always asking after him as well so it is nice to be at a club where he is thought of in that manner. If I match what he did this season, I will be well pleased.”
Smith is out to get revenge this weekend on former club Brechin, who are currently topping the table, and he said, “They have beaten us already so we need to get the win this time and close the gap although it may upset the Brechin fans who were good to me.
“I went back a couple of weeks ago and played in the Testimonial game for my former team-mate Charlie King and it was a funny feeling pulling one of their jerseys on again but it is all about Alloa now.”
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