A-Jay Leitch-Smith
{{short description|English footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2014}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = A-Jay Leitch-Smith
| image = Leitch-Smith, AJ.jpg
| caption = Leitch-Smith in 2010
| fullname = Jay Leitch-Smith{{cite web |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/aj-leitch-smith/ |title=AJ Leitch-Smith: Profile |website=worldfootball.net |publisher=HEIM:SPIEL |access-date=22 October 2019}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1990|3|6|df=y}}{{Hugman|23807|Jay Leitch-Smith|accessdate=22 October 2019}}
| birth_place = Crewe, England{{cite web |title=FootballSquads - Port Vale - 2015/2016 |url=http://www.footballsquads.co.uk/eng/2015-2016/fltwo/portv.htm |website=www.footballsquads.co.uk |access-date=1 February 2021 |archive-date=5 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605234110/http://www.footballsquads.co.uk/eng/2015-2016/fltwo/portv.htm |url-status=dead }}
| height = {{height|ft=5|in=8}}
| position = Forward
| currentclub = Hanley Town
| clubnumber =
| youthyears1 = 1997–2008
| youthclubs1 = Crewe Alexandra
| years1 = 2008–2014
| clubs1 = Crewe Alexandra
| caps1 = 103
| goals1 = 19
| years2 = 2008
| clubs2 = → Halifax Town (loan)
| caps2 =
| goals2 =
| years3 = 2009
| clubs3 = → Newcastle Town (loan)
| caps3 =
| goals3 =
| years4 = 2009
| clubs4 = → ÍBV (loan)
| caps4 = 14
| goals4 = 4
| years5 = 2010
| clubs5 = → Curzon Ashton (loan)
| caps5 = 10
| goals5 = 7
| years6 = 2014–2015
| clubs6 = Yeovil Town
| caps6 = 33
| goals6 = 2
| years7 = 2015–2016
| clubs7 = Port Vale
| caps7 = 37
| goals7 = 10
| years8 = 2016–2018
| clubs8 = Shrewsbury Town
| caps8 = 16
| goals8 = 1
| years9 = 2017–2018
| clubs9 = → Dundee (loan)
| caps9 = 28
| goals9 = 6
| years10 = 2018–2021
| clubs10 = Morecambe
| caps10 = 53
| goals10 = 9
| years11 = 2021–2022
| clubs11 = Altrincham
| caps11 = 19
| goals11 = 4
| years12 = 2022
| clubs12 = Nantwich Town
| caps12 = 14
| goals12 = 2
| years13 = 2022–2023
| clubs13 = Warrington Rylands
| caps13 = 9
| goals13 = 2
| years14 = 2023
| clubs14 = → Hyde United (loan)
| caps14 = 5
| goals14 = 1
| years15 = 2023
| clubs15 = Nantwich Town
| caps15 = 5
| goals15 = 0
| years16 = 2023–2024
| clubs16 = Stafford Rangers
| caps16 = 21
| goals16 = 1
| years17 = 2024–
| clubs17 = Hanley Town
| caps17 = 11
| goals17 = 1
| club-update = 21:43, 18 January 2025 (UTC)
}}
Jay Leitch-Smith (born 6 March 1990), known as A-Jay Leitch-Smith, is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for {{English football updater|StafforR}} club Hanley Town.
A graduate of the Academy at Crewe Alexandra, he played on loan for Halifax Town, Newcastle Town, ÍBV (Iceland), and Curzon Ashton. He spent six years with Crewe, winning the League Two play-offs in 2012 and the Football League Trophy in 2013. He signed with Yeovil Town in June 2014 but moved on to Port Vale in July 2015 after a poor season with Yeovil. He finished as Port Vale's top-scorer before moving on to Shrewsbury Town in June 2016. He joined Scottish Premiership club Dundee on loan for the 2017–18 season. He signed with Morecambe in August 2018 and remained with the club for three seasons. He joined National League side Altrincham in August 2021 and moved on to Warrington Rylands via Nantwich Town in 2022. He joined Hyde United for a brief spell on loan in March 2023. He rejoined Nantwich the following season before a switch to Stafford Rangers and then Hanley Town.
Career
=Crewe Alexandra=
Whilst on the books at Crewe Alexandra as a youth player, Leitch-Smith was loaned out to non-League clubs Halifax Town in November 2008 and Newcastle Town in March 2009.{{cite news|title=Leitch-Smith Joins Halifax|url=http://www.crewealex.net.p.preprod.performgroup.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10414~1454665,00.html|access-date=31 December 2015|work=crewealex.net|date=14 November 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305031713/http://www.crewealex.net.p.preprod.performgroup.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10414~1454665,00.html|archive-date=5 March 2016|url-status=dead}} He signed his first professional contract in April 2009, before joining Icelandic club ÍBV on loan.{{cite news|url=http://www.crewealexandra-mad.co.uk/news/loadnews.asp?cid=TMNW&id=460963|publisher=Crewe Mad|title=Club recall duo from Iceland|date=31 August 2009|access-date=4 October 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091218023702/http://www.crewealexandra-mad.co.uk/news/loadnews.asp?cid=TMNW|archive-date=18 December 2009|url-status=dead}} He was recalled from his loan, along with Chris Clements, in early September due to injury problems at Crewe.{{cite news |url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12875_5533355,00.html|publisher=Sky Sports|title=Crewe recall striker|date=2 September 2009|access-date=4 October 2009}}{{cite news |url=http://www.crewechronicle.co.uk/crewe-alex-fc/crewe-alex-fc-news/2009/09/02/crewe-alex-teen-duo-recalled-from-loan-in-iceland-96135-24581271/|newspaper=Crewe Chronicle|first=Peter|last=Morse|title=Teen duo recalled from loan in Iceland|date=2 September 2009|access-date=4 October 2009}}
He made his League Two debut for Crewe at Gresty Road in a 3–2 defeat to Bury on 29 September 2009, replacing Joel Grant as a substitute in the 80th minute.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/8271066.stm|work=BBC Sport|title=Crewe 2 – 3 Bury|date=29 September 2009|access-date=4 October 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091003215619/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/8271066.stm| archive-date= 3 October 2009 | url-status= live}} This was his only appearance of the 2009–10 season. He joined Curzon Ashton on loan in March 2010.{{cite web|title=Leitch-Smith joins Curzon Ashton on loan|url=http://www.crewealexandra-mad.co.uk/news/tmnw/leitchsmith_joins_curzon_ashton_on_loan_508258/index.shtml|website=crewealexandra-mad.co.uk|access-date=31 December 2015}} He scored seven goals in ten Northern Premier League appearances, which was enough to win him a new contract at Crewe.{{cite news|title=Loan move saved my career says rookie striker Leitch-Smith |url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Crewe-Alex-Loan-saved-career-says-rookie-striker-Leitch-Smith/story-12534741-detail/story.html|access-date=31 December 2015|work=The Sentinel|date=18 May 2010}}
He scored his first goal in the English Football League on 21 August 2010, adding the final goal of the "Railwaymen's" 7–0 win over Barnet.{{cite news|title=Highlights – Crewe 7 – 0 Barnet|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/8935345.stm|access-date=11 July 2015|work=BBC Sport|date=29 August 2010}} However, he was limited to only 18 appearances in the 2010–11 season as he struggled to step up to first-team football, and manager Dario Gradi devised a special pre-season fitness programme in the summer to help him to adapt to senior football.{{cite news|title=Dario Gradi wants Leitch-Smith fitness improvement|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/crewe_alexandra/9508775.stm|access-date=11 July 2015|work=BBC Sport|date=9 June 2011}}
Leitch-Smith scored nine goals in 44 games in the 2011–12 campaign. He signed a new one-year contract in April 2012, and manager Steve Davis stated, "I'd like to think that he can become the 15 to 20 goal a season man we need."{{cite news|title=AJ Leitch-Smith signs new one-year Crewe Alexandra deal|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17703627|access-date=11 July 2015|work=BBC Sport|date=13 April 2012}} On 27 May, he played the first 85 minutes of the League Two play-off final victory over Cheltenham Town at Wembley Stadium, providing the assist for Byron Moore's goal which secured the 2–0 victory and Crewe's promotion into League One.{{cite news|last1=Begley|first1=Emlyn|title=Cheltenham 0 – 2 Crewe|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18135731|access-date=11 July 2015|work=BBC Sport|date=27 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017064555/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18135731|archive-date=17 October 2013|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}
He scored six goals in 35 matches in the 2012–13 season. On 7 April he made another appearance at Wembley, as the Alex beat Southend United 2–0 in the Football League Trophy final; he was an 83rd-minute substitute for Max Clayton.{{cite news|last1=Osborne|first1=Chris|title=Crewe 2 – 0 Southend|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21986344|access-date=11 July 2015|work=BBC Sport|date=7 April 2013}} The next month he signed a one-year extension to his existing contract.{{cite news|title=Crewe Alexandra: AJ Leitch-Smith extends contract at Gresty Road|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22373037|access-date=11 July 2015|work=BBC Sport|date=1 May 2013}} However, he played just 24 games in the 2013–14 season, scoring two goals. He left Crewe after an eleven-year association with his hometown club, saying he felt like a "part of the furniture" of the club.{{cite news|title=Ajay Leitch-Smith aims to kickstart career at Yeovil Town after becoming part of Crewe Alexandra 'furniture'|url=http://www.westerngazette.co.uk/Ajay-Leitch-Smith-aims-kickstart-career-Yeovil/story-22734025-detail/story.html|access-date=31 December 2015|work=Western Gazette|date=15 August 2004}}{{Dead link|date=May 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
=Yeovil Town=
In June 2014, Leitch-Smith signed for Gary Johnson's League One club Yeovil Town on a two-year contract.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28036307|title=AJ Leitch-Smith joins Yeovil Town following Crewe departure|work=BBC Sport|date=27 June 2014|access-date=11 July 2014}} He struggled in his first season for the "Glovers", as he was played mostly in a wide position.{{cite news|title=Rob Page is confident goals will come for Ajay Leitch-Smith |url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Port-Vale-Rob-Page-confident-goals-come-Ajay/story-28108225-detail/story.html|access-date=4 November 2015|work=The Sentinel|date=4 November 2015}} He only scored twice in 38 appearances. He was one of four players offered a contract termination by new manager Paul Sturrock following Yeovil's relegation into League Two at the end of the season.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32662260 |title=Yeovil Town: Paul Sturrock releases 11 players |work=BBC Sport |date=8 May 2015 |access-date=13 May 2015 }}
=Port Vale=
In July 2015, Leitch-Smith signed a 12-month deal with League One side Port Vale after agreeing to leave Yeovil.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33598813 |title=Port Vale: AJ Leitch-Smith agrees 12-month deal at Vale Park |work=BBC Sport |date=20 July 2015 |access-date=20 July 2015 }} He earned the contract after impressing manager Rob Page during pre-season training.{{cite news|last1=Spinks|first1=Martin|title=Ex-Crewe favourite Ajay Leitch-Smith joins Valiants|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Port-Vale-Ex-Crewe-favourite-Ajay-Leitch-Smith/story-27448887-detail/story.html|access-date=20 July 2015|work=The Sentinel|date=20 July 2015}} He scored his first goal for the "Valiants" on 14 November, with a header that opened the scoring in a 2–1 win at Barnsley.{{cite news|title=Barnsley 1 – 2 Port Vale|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34753816|access-date=15 November 2015|work=BBC Sport|date=14 November 2015}} This was to start a sequence of five goals in four games, which was the best scoring run of his career to that point.{{cite news|title=Hitman Ajay praises boss and team-mates as he hits form of his career|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Port-Vale-Hitman-Ajay-praises-boss-team-mates/story-28242931-detail/story.html|access-date=27 November 2015|work=The Sentinel|date=27 November 2015}} For his performances he was short-listed for the League One player of the month award.{{cite news|last1=Baggaley|first1=Mike|title=Ajay Leitch-Smith shortlisted for League One player of the month award |url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Port-Vale-Ajay-Leitch-Smith-shortlisted-League/story-28299045-detail/story.html|access-date=5 December 2015|work=The Sentinel|date=4 December 2015}} After scoring his sixth goal of the season in a 1–1 draw with Scunthorpe United at Vale Park on 12 December he was named in the Football League Paper's team of the day.{{cite news|last1=Baggaley|first1=Mike|title=Ajay Leitch-Smith and Ben Purkiss named in Football League Paper team of the day |url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Port-Vale-Ajay-leitch-Smith-Ben-Purkiss-named/story-28362375-detail/story.html|access-date=15 December 2015|work=The Sentinel|date=15 December 2015}} He scored four goals in four games in January to go into double figures for the season to earn himself a nomination for the PFA fans' Player of the Month award for League One.{{cite news|last1=Baggaley|first1=Mike|title=Ajay Leitch-Smith shortlisted for League One award|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Port-Vale-Leitch-Smith-shortlisted-League-award/story-28625396-detail/story.html|access-date=28 January 2016|work=The Sentinel|date=28 January 2016}} Chairman Norman Smurthwaite confirmed that Leitch-Smith had rejected the offer of a new contract from the club in May 2016.{{cite news|last1=Sharpe|first1=Rich|title=Norman Smurthwaite reveals top scorer Ajay Leitch-Smith will leave the club|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Port-Vale-Norman-Smurthwaite-reveals-scorer-Ajay/story-29342506-detail/story.html|access-date=31 May 2016|work=The Sentinel|date=31 May 2016}}{{Dead link|date=July 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
=Shrewsbury Town=
Leitch-Smith signed with League One side Shrewsbury Town in June 2016, along with former Port Vale teammates Ryan McGivern and Louis Dodds.{{cite news|title=Shrewsbury Town sign AJ Leitch-Smith and Ryan McGivern|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36434765|access-date=4 June 2016|work=BBC Sport|date=3 June 2016}} He scored his first goal for the club in the first minute of a first-round League Cup tie against Championship side Huddersfield Town, with Shrewsbury going on to win 2–1.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36949806|title=Shrewsbury Town 2–1 Huddersfield Town|work=BBC Sport|date= 9 August 2016|access-date=9 August 2016}} After an indifferent run of form in Micky Mellon's last weeks as manager, he was recalled to the starting eleven by new manager Paul Hurst for an FA Cup first round tie on 5 November, and scored the second goal in a 3–0 victory over Barnet.{{cite web|url=http://www.shrewsburytown.com/news/article/2016-17/paul-hurst-post-barnet-3401674.aspx|title=Paul Hurst post Barnet|publisher=Shrewsweb|date=5 November 2016|access-date=6 November 2016}} He was limited to five goals in 12 starts and nine substitute appearances throughout the 2016–17 campaign, and was not allocated a squad number ahead of the following season as he was not in the club's future plans.{{cite news|url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/sport/football/shrewsbury-town-fc/2017/08/02/jayson-leutwiler-left-out-of-shrewsbury-town-squad-numbers/|title=Jayson Leutwiler left out of Shrewsbury Town squad numbers|newspaper=Shropshire Star|date=2 August 2017|access-date=6 August 2017}}
On 31 August 2017, he joined Scottish Premiership club Dundee on a five-month loan deal.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41100816 |title=Striker AJ Leitch-Smith joins Dundee on loan until January |work=BBC Sport |publisher=BBC |date=31 August 2017 |access-date=31 August 2017}} He made his debut for the "Dee" on 9 September, coming on as a 38th-minute substitute for Scott Allan in a 4–1 defeat at Rangers.{{cite news|title=Rangers 4-1 Dundee|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41133295|access-date=18 September 2017|work=BBC Sport|date=9 September 2017}} He was given his first start at Dens Park seven days later, scoring twice in a 3–2 win over St Johnstone.{{cite news|last1=Sutherland|first1=Jonathan|title=Dundee 3-2 St Johnstone|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41210017|access-date=18 September 2017|work=BBC Sport|date=16 September 2017}} In January 2018, the loan agreement was extended to the end of the 2017–18 season after "Dee" manager Neil McCann was impressed by the link-up play he made with striker Sofien Moussa despite him being unable to secure a regular place in the starting eleven.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42707944 |title=Dundee extend loan agreement for striker A-Jay Leitch-Smith |work=BBC Sport |publisher=BBC |date=16 January 2018 |access-date=16 January 2018}}{{cite news|title=Dundee: Neil McCann keen to extend A-Jay Leitch-Smith's loan deal|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42429274|access-date=16 January 2018|work=BBC Sport|date=20 December 2017}} He was released by Shrewsbury at the end of the 2017–18 season.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44323059|title=Shrewsbury Town: Joe Riley, Shaun Rowley and AJ Leitch-Smith to be released|date=31 May 2018|access-date=2 June 2018|work=BBC Sport}}
=Morecambe=
On 8 August 2018, Leitch-Smith signed a one-year contract with League Two side Morecambe; manager Jim Bentley stated that he had "tried to sign him a couple of years ago."{{cite web|url=https://www.morecambefc.com/news/2018/august/a-jay-leitch-smith-signs-for-the-shrimps/|title= AJ Leitch-Smith Signs|date=8 August 2018|access-date=8 August 2018|publisher=Morecambe FC Official Website}} He scored six goals in 29 appearances for the "Shrimps" in the 2018–19 season, having missed the second half of the campaign with a hamstring tear.{{cite news |title=Leitch-Smith ruled out for remainder of the season |url=https://www.morecambefc.com/news/2019/january/a-jay-leitch-smith-out-for-season/ |access-date=20 May 2019 |work=www.morecambefc.com |date=10 January 2019 |language=en-gb}} Despite only scoring six goals and missing half the season he ended the campaign as the club's top-scorer and went on to sign a new two-year contract at the Globe Arena.{{cite news |title=Retained & release list |url=https://www.morecambefc.com/news/2019/may/retained-and-released-list/ |access-date=20 May 2019 |work=www.morecambefc.com |date=6 May 2019 |language=en-gb}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48446879|title=A-Jay Leitch-Smith: Striker signs new Morecambe contract|date=29 May 2019|website=BBC Sport}} However, he was restricted to just eight league starts in the 2019–20 season before football was suspended in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic in England. He played just seven times in the 2020–21 promotion season, scoring one goal, and was released at the end of his contract.{{cite news |title=Retained List |url=https://www.morecambefc.com/news/2021/june/retained-list/ |access-date=14 June 2021 |work=www.morecambefc.com |date=11 June 2021 |language=en-gb}}
=Non-League=
On 7 August 2021, Leitch-Smith joined National League side Altrincham.{{cite web|url=https://www.altrinchamfc.com/news/a-jay-leitch-smith|title=Phil boosts Alty firepower with A-Jay signing!|website=www.altrinchamfc.com|date=7 August 2021|accessdate=9 August 2021|archive-date=8 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210808085932/https://www.altrinchamfc.com/news/a-jay-leitch-smith|url-status=dead}} He said that the attractive football played at Moss Lane reminded him of his time at Crewe.{{cite news |last1=Edwards |first1=John |title=Altrincham sign former Crewe and Morecambe striker |url=https://www.messengernewspapers.co.uk/news/19505580.ex-crewe-morecambe-striker-altrinchams-latest-new-recruit/ |access-date=24 November 2021 |work=Messenger Newspapers |date=11 August 2021 |language=en}} He made just four starts during the 2021–22 season, though made a further 15 substitute appearances and scored four goals, claiming one assist.{{cite web |title=A-Jay Leitch-Smith {{!}} Altrincham Football Club |url=https://www.altrinchamfc.com/players/a-jay-leitch-smith |website=www.altrinchamfc.com |access-date=27 May 2022}}
In July 2022, Leitch-Smith returned to his native Cheshire to join Northern Premier League Premier Division side Nantwich Town.{{Cite web |last=Price |first=Liam |date=2022-07-02 |title=Dabbers sign up A-Jay Leitch-Smith |url=https://www.nantwichtownfc.co.uk/dabbers-sign-up-a-jay-leitch-smith/ |access-date=2022-07-02 |website=Nantwich Town Football Club |language=en-GB}} He scored two goals in sixteen games for the "Dabbers".{{cite web |title=Nantwich Town {{!}} Appearances {{!}} AJ Leitch-Smith {{!}} Football Web Pages |url=https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/nantwich-town/appearances/aj-leitch-smith/942482 |website=www.footballwebpages.co.uk |access-date=5 November 2022}} In November 2022, Leitch-Smith signed for league rivals Warrington Rylands.{{cite tweet|number=1588591934645628928|title=✍🏻⚽️NEW SIGNING⚽️✍🏻 We are delighted to announce the signing of former @crewealexfc @YTFC @OfficialPVFC and @shrewsburytown attacker A-Jay Leitch-Smith. Welcome AJ! #WeAreRylands|user=RylandsFC|author-link=Warrington Rylands 1906 F.C.|date=4 November 2022|accessdate=5 November 2022}}{{cite news |last1=Turner |first1=Matt |title=Warrington Rylands boosted by double signing |url=https://www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/sport/latest_sport/23103375.warrington-rylands-sign-new-defender-striker/ |access-date=5 November 2022 |work=Warrington Guardian |date=5 November 2022 |language=en}} He joined Hyde United on loan in March 2023.{{cite tweet|number=1638846921019215872|title=Our first signing is the loan signing of AJ Leitch-Smith from @RylandsFC AJ is a former @crewealexfc @OfficialPVFC, forward and has also spent time @TheDabbers Welcome AJ and stay tuned for more signings|user=hydeunited|author-link=Hyde United F.C.|date=23 March 2023|accessdate=24 March 2023}} He scored one goal in five games for Hyde.
Leitch-Smith returned to Nantwich Town on 11 August 2023,{{Cite web |date=11 August 2023 |title=@TheDabbers on Twitter |url=https://twitter.com/TheDabbers/status/1690059308489113600 |access-date=2023-08-18 |website=Twitter |language=en}} and made 11 appearances during the early part of the 2023–24 season, scoring four goals, before leaving to join Stafford Rangers.{{cite web |title=AJ Leitch-Smith departs the Dabbers |url=https://www.nantwichtownfc.co.uk/aj-leitch-smith-smith-departs-the-dabbers/ |website=Nantwich Town F.C. |access-date=14 December 2023}} He left the field injured as Stafford lost 1–0 to Ashton United at Marston Road as relegation from the Northern Premier League Premier Division was confirmed.{{cite news |last1=Powell |first1=Luke |title=Stafford Rangers 0-1 Ashton United - Report |url=https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/football/non-league/stafford-rangers/2024/04/20/stafford-rangers-0-1-ashton-united---report-/ |access-date=14 May 2024 |work=Express and Star |date=20 April 2024 |language=en}} He switched to divisional rivals Hanley Town in October 2024.{{cite news |last1=Allport |first1=Darren |title=More comings and goings |url=https://www.staffordrangersfc.co.uk/more-comings-and-goings/ |access-date=17 October 2024 |work=Stafford Rangers FC |date=16 October 2024}}
Style of play
Though Leitch-Smith lacks natural athleticism and pace, he is an intelligent and creative attacker with good technical skills and a high work rate.{{cite news|last1=Baggaley|first1=Mike|title=Michael O'Connor ready for the Leitch-Smith and Dodds show... |url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Port-Vale-Michael-O-Connor-ready-Leitch-Smith/story-28184196-detail/story.html|access-date=17 November 2015|work=The Sentinel|date=16 November 2015}}{{cite news|last1=Pope|first1=Tom|title=They were all legends when I was a Port Vale fan|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Tom-Pope-legends-Port-Vale-fan/story-27472004-detail/story.html|access-date=25 July 2015|work=The Sentinel|date=25 July 2015}} Former teammate Tom Pope stated that Leitch-Smith was "one of the most intelligent strikers... in League One".{{cite news|last1=Baggaley|first1=Mike|title=Tom Pope on Port Vale: Why defenders hate playing against Ajay Leitch-Smith |url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Tom-Pope-Port-Vale-defenders-hate-playing-Ajay/story-28254841-detail/story.html|access-date=27 November 2015|work=The Sentinel|date=27 November 2015}}
Career statistics
{{updated|match played 4 January 2025}}
{{notelist}}
Honours
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- {{Soccerbase}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Leitch-Smith, AJ}}
Category:Footballers from Crewe
Category:English men's footballers
Category:Men's association football forwards
Category:Crewe Alexandra F.C. players
Category:FC Halifax Town players
Category:Newcastle Town F.C. players
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Iceland
Category:Íþróttabandalag Vestmannaeyja players
Category:Curzon Ashton F.C. players
Category:Yeovil Town F.C. players
Category:Port Vale F.C. players
Category:Shrewsbury Town F.C. players
Category:Morecambe F.C. players
Category:Altrincham F.C. players
Category:Nantwich Town F.C. players
Category:Warrington Rylands 1906 F.C. players
Category:Hyde United F.C. players
Category:Stafford Rangers F.C. players
Category:Hanley Town F.C. players
Category:English Football League players
Category:Northern Premier League players
Category:Úrvalsdeild karla (football) players
Category:Scottish Professional Football League players
Category:National League (English football) players
Category:English expatriate men's footballers