SMITH: STEP UP IS ALL DOWN TO DEV

DEPARTING winger Reece Smith says he will be 'eternally grateful' to Alan Devonshire and Maidenhead United for giving him the platform to achieve his Football League ambition.

- By John Lyons

The 23-year-old joined League Two side Harrogate Town on a two-year deal on Wednesday after a season in which he scored seven goals and produced ten assists despite the Magpies’ relegation from Non-League’s top flight.

In all, the left-sider, who can also play as a ten, made over 150 league appearances for the Berkshire club. He joined at the age of 15, came through the ranks and also benefited from a loan spell at Banstead Athletic before establishing himself in former West Ham star Devonshire’s first team.

“The club have given me everything and Alan Devonshire has been a massive influence,” Smith told The NLP. “He gave me my first shot to play football at a high level. Not a lot of managers would have given a player of my age the opportunities, but he played me week in, week out from 19 or 20.