Amari Morgan-Smith
{{short description|English footballer}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2018}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Amari Morgan-Smith
| image = Amari Morgan-Smith 2017-10-14 1.jpg
| image_size = 200
| caption = Morgan-Smith playing for York City in 2017
| fullname = Amari Aaron Morgan-Smith{{cite book |editor-first=Barry J. |editor-last=Hugman |title=The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2008–09 |year=2008 |publisher=Mainstream Publishing |location=Edinburgh |isbn=978-1-84596-324-8 |page=299}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1989|4|3|df=y}}
| birth_place = Wolverhampton, England
| height = {{height|ft=6|in=0}}
| position = Forward
| currentclub = Kidderminster Harriers
| clubnumber = 9
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs1 = Wolverhampton Wanderers
| youthyears2 = {{0|0000}}–2007
| youthclubs2 = Crewe Alexandra
| years1 = 2007–2008
| clubs1 = Stockport
| caps1 = 1
| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2008–2010
| clubs2 = Ilkeston Town
| caps2 = 1
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2010–2012
| clubs3 = Luton
| caps3 = 42
| goals3 = 14
| years4 = 2012–2013
| clubs4 = Macclesfield
| caps4 = 28
| goals4 = 4
| years5 = 2013
| clubs5 = → Kidderminster (loan)
| caps5 = 5
| goals5 = 1
| years6 = 2013–2014
| clubs6 = Kidderminster
| caps6 = 38
| goals6 = 9
| years7 = 2014–2015
| clubs7 = Oldham Athletic
| caps7 = 15
| goals7 = 2
| years8 = 2015–2017
| clubs8 = Cheltenham
| caps8 = 52
| goals8 = 7
| years9 = 2017
| clubs9 = → York City (loan)
| caps9 = 18
| goals9 = 4
| years10 = 2017–2018
| clubs10 = York City
| caps10 = 28
| goals10 = 4
| years11 = 2018–2019
| clubs11 = Telford United
| caps11 = 50
| goals11 = 11
| years12 = 2019–2020
| clubs12 = Alfreton Town
| caps12 = 30
| goals12 = 15
| years13 = 2020–
| clubs13 = Kidderminster
| caps13 = 161
| goals13 = 41
| nationalyears1 = 2010–2011
| nationalteam1 = England C
| nationalcaps1 = 2
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| club-update = 17:46, 13 February 2025 (UTC)
| nationalteam-update =
}}
Amari Aaron Morgan-Smith (born 3 April 1989) is an English professional footballer who plays as a striker and captains {{English football updater|KiddermH}} club Kidderminster Harriers.
Club career
=Early career=
Born in Wolverhampton, West Midlands, Morgan-Smith began his career in the youth system at Crewe Alexandra.{{cite news |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/just-search-for-a-star-unearths-two-1002848 |title=Just Search for a star unearths two gems |newspaper=Manchester Evening News |date=5 September 2007 |access-date=24 June 2018}} He went on loan to Northern Premier League First Division club Alsager Town late in the 2006–07 season.{{cite news |url=https://www.chesterchronicle.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/bradford-park-avenue-4-alsager-5253021.amp |title=Bradford Park Avenue 4, Alsager Town 1 |newspaper=Chester Chronicle |date=4 April 2007 |access-date=24 June 2018}} Morgan-Smith was released in the summer of 2007, before going on trial at Stockport County with 150 other players through the club's Just Search campaign. He was one of just two players signed by Stockport on 5 September 2007 on a one-year professional contract. He made his debut for Stockport on 3 May 2008, coming on as a 66th-minute substitute in a 1–0 home victory over Brentford.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/7368694.stm |title=Stockport 1–0 Brentford |publisher=BBC Sport |date=3 May 2008 |access-date=13 January 2017}} Morgan-Smith was released by the club a month later.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/stockport/7431539.stm |title=Promoted Stockport release nine |publisher=BBC Sport |date=2 June 2008 |access-date=30 September 2010}}
=Ilkeston Town=
He joined Northern Premier League Premier Division club Ilkeston Town in the summer of 2008,{{cite news |url=http://www.nottinghampost.com/football-ilkeston-need-new-hero/story-12189582-detail/story.html |title=Ilkeston need a new 'hero' |newspaper=Nottingham Post |date=14 August 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170113144226/http://www.nottinghampost.com/football-ilkeston-need-new-hero/story-12189582-detail/story.html |archive-date=13 January 2017 |url-status=dead}} helping the club earn promotion to the Conference North in 2008–09 with a 2–1 win over Nantwich Town on 3 May 2009 in the play-off final.{{cite news |url=http://www.nottinghampost.com/play-joy-ilkeston/story-12240667-detail/story.html |title=Play-off joy for Ilkeston |newspaper=Nottingham Post |date=3 May 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170113144534/http://www.nottinghampost.com/play-joy-ilkeston/story-12240667-detail/story.html |archive-date=13 January 2017 |url-status=dead}} Following his scoring prowess, Ilkeston manager Kevin Wilson described Morgan-Smith as "one of the hottest properties in non-league football".{{cite news |title=Ilkeston striker is "hottest property in non-league", says his boss |url=http://www.nottinghampost.com/ilkeston-striker-hottest-property-non-league-says-boss/story-12170060-detail/story.html |newspaper=Nottingham Post |date=20 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170113144949/http://www.nottinghampost.com/ilkeston-striker-hottest-property-non-league-says-boss/story-12170060-detail/story.html |archive-date=13 January 2017 |url-status=dead}} During the summer of 2010, Morgan-Smith trained with Championship club Derby County on a trial period, though the club opted against signing him.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/carlisle_united/9019734.stm |title=Carlisle hand trial to striker Amari Morgan-Smith |publisher=BBC Sport |date=21 September 2010 |access-date=30 September 2010}} On 8 September, Ilkeston were liquidated by HM Revenue and Customs over a £50,000 unpaid tax bill.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-11231856 |title=Ilkeston Town Football Club wound up over unpaid tax |publisher=BBC News |date=8 September 2010 |access-date=30 September 2010}} Morgan-Smith was therefore released from the club with immediate effect. He joined League One club Carlisle United on trial on 21 September, but was not offered a contract.
=Luton Town=
File:Amari Morgan-Smith.jpg in 2011]]
On 28 September 2010, he joined Conference Premier club Luton Town on a two-year contract.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/luton_town/9041769.stm |title=Luton Town sign striker Amari Morgan-Smith |publisher=BBC Sport |date=28 September 2010 |access-date=30 September 2010}} He played the same day in a 2–0 victory over Mansfield Town, scoring on his debut.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/9032071.stm |title=Luton Town 2–0 Mansfield Town |publisher=BBC Sport |date=28 September 2010 |access-date=30 September 2010}} Morgan-Smith scored a hat-trick for the club in a 4–0 FA Cup win against St Albans City on 23 October 2010.{{cite web |url=http://www.lutontown.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10372~54697,00.html |title=Luton Town 4–0 St Albans City |publisher=Luton Town F.C. |date=23 October 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101026063501/http://www.lutontown.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0%2C%2C10372~54697%2C00.html |archive-date=26 October 2010 |url-status=dead}} This led to him winning the award for Player of the Round.{{cite web |url=http://www.lutontown.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10372~2205387,00.html |title=Amari claims FA Cup award |publisher=Luton Town F.C. |date=2 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101107071402/http://www.lutontown.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10372~2205387%2C00.html |archive-date=7 November 2010 |url-status=dead}}
Morgan-Smith started 2011–12 on form, scoring nine goals in 13 league matches, before a succession of serious injuries kept him out for most of the remaining campaign.{{cite news |url=http://www.bedfordshire-news.co.uk/amari-injury-big-worry-hatters/story-22983753-detail/story.html |title=Amari injury a big worry for Hatters |first=James |last=Cunliffe |newspaper=Bedfordshire on Sunday |location=Bedford |date=9 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170113150734/http://www.bedfordshire-news.co.uk/amari-injury-big-worry-hatters/story-22983753-detail/story.html |archive-date=13 January 2017 |url-status=dead}} The uncertainty over his fitness led to Luton manager Paul Buckle releasing him from his contract in June 2012.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/18512232 |title=Mansfield bring in George Pilkington and Godfrey Poku |publisher=BBC Sport |date=19 June 2012 |access-date=13 January 2017}}
He was taken on trial by League One club Doncaster Rovers during pre-season, scoring against Hull City in a friendly, but was not offered a contract.{{cite web |url=https://www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk/news/2012/july/report-rovers-3-1-hull-city/ |title=Report: Rovers 3–1 Hull City |publisher=Doncaster Rovers F.C. |date=31 July 2012 |access-date=24 June 2018}}
=Macclesfield Town=
On 31 August 2012, Morgan-Smith signed for Conference Premier club Macclesfield Town on a one-year contract.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/19439652 |title=Macclesfield Town sign Mills, McNamee and Morgan-Smith |publisher=BBC Sport |date=31 August 2012 |access-date=13 January 2017}} He made his debut for the club on 1 September 2012 in a 4–1 defeat against his former club Luton Town.
On 31 January 2013, he signed on loan for Kidderminster Harriers for a month.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/21277875 |title=Kidderminster Harriers: Amari Morgan-Smith & Nat Jarvis join |publisher=BBC Sport |date=31 January 2013 |access-date=13 January 2017}} He made five appearances for the club, scoring in a 3–1 victory over Alfreton Town. He was recalled from his loan early by Macclesfield and went on to play in eight further matches, scoring twice. He was released at the end of the season after scoring four goals in 28 appearances.
=Kidderminster Harriers=
After training with Mansfield Town and his former club Luton Town in the summer of 2013, Morgan-Smith signed for Kidderminster Harriers on a short-term contract on 5 September 2013.{{cite news |url=http://www.kidderminstershuttle.co.uk/sport/10657725.Amari_Morgan_Smith_returns_to_Harriers/ |title=Amari Morgan-Smith returns to Harriers |newspaper=Kidderminster Shuttle |date=5 September 2013 |access-date=13 January 2017}} He scored two goals in a 4–1 win against Forest Green Rovers on 8 October 2013. On 11 November 2013, he extended his contract until the end of the season after impressing with 3 goals in 11 appearances.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/24902553 |title=Kidderminster Harriers: Amari Morgan-Smith signs for season |publisher=BBC Sport |date=11 November 2013 |access-date=13 January 2017}}
Manager Gary Whild stated on 4 June 2014 that it was likely Morgan-Smith would be leaving the club.{{cite web |url=http://www.harriers.co.uk/news/article/140604-jackman-morgan-smith-1602117.aspx |title=Boss Gary Whild admits Harriers duo are likely to move on ahead of new season... |publisher=Kidderminster Harriers F.C. |date=4 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170116143926/http://www.harriers.co.uk/news/article/140604-jackman-morgan-smith-1602117.aspx |archive-date=16 January 2017 |url-status=dead}} Morgan-Smith turned down the offer of a new contract.{{citation needed|date=January 2017}}
=Oldham Athletic=
He signed for League One club Oldham Athletic on 21 July 2014 on a one-year contract, with the option of a further year.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/28402793 |title=Oldham Athletic: Amari Morgan-Smith & Willie Gros join |publisher=BBC Sport |date=21 July 2014 |access-date=13 January 2017}}
=Cheltenham Town=
On 29 May 2015, Morgan-Smith signed a one-year contract with newly relegated National League club Cheltenham Town.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/32933341 |title=Amari Morgan-Smith: Striker signs for Cheltenham Town |publisher=BBC Sport |date=29 May 2015 |access-date=13 January 2017}}
=York City and AFC Telford United=
On 12 January 2017, Morgan-Smith joined National League club York City on loan until the end of 2016–17.{{cite news |url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/15020024.Cheltenham_striker_Amari_Morgan_Smith_joins_York_City_on_loan_until_the_end_of_the_season/ |title=Cheltenham striker Amari Morgan-Smith joins York City on loan until the end of the season |first=Dave |last=Flett |newspaper=The Press |location=York |date=12 January 2017 |access-date=13 January 2017}} On 21 May 2017, he started as York beat Macclesfield Town 3–2 at Wembley Stadium in the 2017 FA Trophy final.{{cite news |url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/15299972.York_City_lift_FA_Trophy_to_win_at_Wembley_for_a_fourth_time_in_their_history/ |title=York City lift FA Trophy to win at Wembley for a fourth time in their history |first=Dave |last=Flett |newspaper=The Press |location=York |date=21 May 2017 |access-date=22 May 2017}} He was released by Cheltenham at the end of 2016–17.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39857306 |title=Cheltenham Town: Eleven players released after 21st place finish |publisher=BBC Sport |date=9 May 2017 |access-date=1 June 2017}}
On 30 June 2017, Morgan-Smith re-signed for York City permanently on a one-year contract.{{cite news |url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/15384114.Parslow_and_Morgan_Smith_agree_permanent_deals_with_York_City/ |title=Parslow and Morgan-Smith agree permanent deals with York City |newspaper=The Press |location=York |date=30 June 2017 |access-date=1 July 2017}}
He signed for York's National League North rivals AFC Telford United on 2 February 2018 on a one-and-a-half-year contract.{{cite web |url=https://www.yorkcityfootballclub.co.uk/news/striker-joins-afc-telford-united |title=Striker joins AFC Telford United |first=Ian |last=Appleyard |publisher=York City F.C. |date=2 February 2018 |access-date=2 February 2018}}
=Alfreton Town=
= Return to Kidderminster Harriers =
On 25 June 2020, Morgan-Smith signed for Kidderminster Harriers on a one-year contract, almost 8 years after first joining on loan from Macclesfield. The transfer fee was paid personally by the Harrier's owners during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure no impact to the club finances.{{Cite web |date=2020-06-25 |title=Morgan-Smith returns to Reds |url=https://harriers.co.uk/news/2020/06/25/morgan-smith-returns-to-reds/ |access-date=2022-05-14 |website=Official Website of the Harriers - Kidderminster Harriers FC |language=en-GB}} He scored twice in a pre-season friendly vs Alvechurch that September, as league start dates were pushed back to October due to the pandemic. Across the 2021–22 season, Morgan-Smith scored 17 goals, including one against Reading in the FA Cup third round. He became an integral part of the Harriers line-up and, on 13 April 2022, extended his deal until the end of the 2022–23 season.{{Cite web |date=2022-04-13 |title=Morgan-Smith staying with Reds |url=https://harriers.co.uk/news/2022/04/13/morgan-smith-staying-with-reds/ |access-date=2022-05-14 |website=Official Website of the Harriers - Kidderminster Harriers FC |language=en-GB}} Morgan-Smith's 2022–23 campaign was hit with injuries, however once injury free he was back leading the line at the Worcestershire club, forming a formidable partnership with Ashley Hemmings up front. Morgan-Smith scored 6 goals in the last 8 games as Harriers won promotion via the play-offs back to the National League, which included the winner during the 1–0 play-off quarter-final win at Alfreton and the third goal in a 4–1 win at King's Lynn in the play-off semi-finals. It was reported during the summer of 2023, Morgan-Smith had agreed a new one-year deal to remain at Kidderminster for the 2023–24 season.
International career
Morgan-Smith was called up to the England national C team for a match against the Republic of Ireland under-23 team in May 2010, in which he made his debut.{{cite web |url=http://www.thefa.com/England/england-c/News/match-centre/2010/RepublicofIrelandvEnglandC |title=England C start strongly |first=Mike |last=Appleby |publisher=The Football Association |date=27 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022153925/http://www.thefa.com/England/england-c/News/match-centre/2010/RepublicofIrelandvEnglandC |archive-date=22 October 2013 |url-status=dead}} He was capped twice by England C from 2010 to 2011.{{cite book |editor1-last=Williams |editor2-last=Williams |title=Non-League Club Directory 2013 |pages=1003, 1005, 1009}}
Controversy
In October 2020 Morgan-Smith was sent off while playing for Kidderminster during the first half of a match against Chester for using offensive language.{{cite web |last1=Paddock |first1=Matty |title=Amari Morgan-Smith statement |url=https://harriers.co.uk/news/2020/10/07/amari-morgan-smith-statement/ |website=Kidderminster Harriers FC |date=7 October 2020 |access-date=18 December 2024}} He subsequently admitted an aggravated breach of F.A. rule E3.1, which amounts to using offensive language which includes a (direct or indirect) reference to: “ethnic origin, colour, race, nationality, religion or belief, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation or disability”. He was handed a six-match suspension, with an order to attend an FA educational course at a future date and meet a contribution of the Hearing costs.{{cite web |last1=Paddock |first1=Matty |title=Amari Morgan-Smith suspended by FA |url=https://harriers.co.uk/news/2021/02/08/amari-morgan-smith-suspended-by-fa/ |website=Kidderminster Harriers FC |date=8 February 2021 |access-date=18 December 2024}}{{cite web |last1=Navsaria |first1=Vikesh |title=What amounts to misconduct in football and who can be disciplined? |url=https://www.saunders.co.uk/news/what-amounts-to-misconduct-in-football-and-who-can-be-disciplined/ |website=Saunders Law |access-date=18 December 2024}}
Career statistics
{{updated|2 April 2024}}
{{notelist}}
Honours
Ilkeston Town
- Northern Premier League Premier Division play-offs: 2009
Cheltenham Town
York City
Kidderminster Harriers
- National League North play-offs: 2023{{cite web | url=https://harriers.co.uk/news/2023/05/16/highlights-harriers-promoted-at-brackley/ | title=Highlights: Harriers promoted at | date=16 May 2023 }}
Individual
- National League North Player of the Month: December 2024 {{cite web|url=https://www.thenationalleague.org.uk/the-goal-den-boys-bag-the-player-of-the-month-priz-83133|title=The Goal-Den Boys Bag The Player Of The Month Prizes!|website=www.thenationalleague.org.uk|date=15 January 2025|accessdate=16 January 2025}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- [http://www.telfordunited.com/squad.aspx Amari Morgan-Smith profile] at the A.F.C. Telford United website
- {{Soccerbase}}
{{Kidderminster Harriers F.C. squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Morgan-Smith, Amari}}
Category:Footballers from Wolverhampton
Category:English men's footballers
Category:England men's semi-pro international footballers
Category:Men's association football forwards
Category:Crewe Alexandra F.C. players
Category:Alsager Town F.C. players
Category:Stockport County F.C. players
Category:Ilkeston Town F.C. (1945) players
Category:Luton Town F.C. players
Category:Macclesfield Town F.C. players
Category:Kidderminster Harriers F.C. players
Category:Oldham Athletic A.F.C. players
Category:Cheltenham Town F.C. players
Category:York City F.C. players
Category:AFC Telford United players
Category:Alfreton Town F.C. players
Category:Northern Premier League players
Category:English Football League players
Category:National League (English football) players