15 years, 500 appearances and the odd wonder goal - Gareth Smith discusses it all
Fri 21st January 2022 | Holker Old Boys | By Jay Cooper
It's somewhat rare for a player in Steps 5 and 6 of English football to make more than 100 appearances for one particular side, what with no set transfer windows and player registrations changing almost fortnightly. However, after last week’s Division One North clash between Holker Old Boys and Cleator Moor Celtic, Holker's Gareth Smith reached a remarkable milestone.
The 33-year old midfielder made his 500th outing in Holker Old Boy's colours as his side ran out 2-0 winners. To mark the occasion, we caught up with the Cumbria-based side's ever-present midfield stalwart, for a chat about his achievement.
First game?
I remember it being against Castleton Gabriels, now known as Rochdale Town, as far back as 2007.
Favourite game?
I think that would be in the LFA Challenge Trophy semi-final against a strong Chorley team.
Why have you gone for that one?
With it being a cup semi-final, it was packed at Leyland, so there was a sense of occasion. I think Chorley were top of the Conference North at the time, and they played their full-strength squad, so it was a pretty good experience. We also beat AFC Fylde on penalties on the way to that semi-final – that one was also a standout game.
Favourite opponents and why?
I always liked playing against Cheadle (Heath Nomads). I remember scoring a couple of times against them, including the goal I mentioned before as my favourite. Also, when playing away against them, the games have always been a challenge and are often very physical.
Least favourite opponents?
I'd say New Mills – they hammered us on a few occasions.
Favourite goal you ever scored?
Against Cheadle Heath Nomads, actually, a couple of years ago, to put us 3-0 up. I don't score many, but I was proud of that one, having run from my own half and scored with the outside of my boot.
Best player(s) you ever played with?
Tough one to answer. Two names that stick out to me are Tod Bamber and Brad Hubbold.
What made them both the best players you ever played with?
Tod Bamber is one of my longest friends, we've played together since the U12's. He was always brilliant going forward. Unfortunately, he left us for AFC Liverpool, and then scored against us on his return and celebrated. Brad Hubbold was another centre midfielder, like Tod. He was very good with both feet and could win you a game from nothing. I played a lot of games with him until he left for Workington.
Most memorable moment?
I think it'd be the season we finished 3rd in the league – we went on an unbeaten run of almost 20 games!
Saddest moment?
Definitely when I was sent off against Wigan Robin Park – that got me a 10-match ban and £100 fine. It was a shocking challenge. I went over the top of the ball and then got into a shouting match with the referee – I can't remember what I said but the report wasn't exactly pretty. The red mist definitely got me.
500 appearances over 15 years is an incredible achievement, but what’s kept Smith at the club for so long and what does the future have in store for the midfielder?
What made you first join Holker Old Boys?
Actually, it came from Tod Bamber. We were good friends when we were kids, and at one time he was playing for Holker whilst I was at another local junior club, and the connection for me came from there.
What is it that's made you stay? At this level, teams chop and change all the time?
I just fell in love with the club. There's also a bit of a family connection as my Dad has been both manager and chairman. It's a greatly run club and I've seen it grow so much stronger with Maurice (Watkin) as chairman now and with the current management team.
How has the club around you changed? Be that players, staff, fans, infrastructure, setup?
Behind the scenes there has been a lot of hard work put in – Maurice does an unbelievable job. The facilities have improved a great deal, the pitch is probably the best it's been during my time here – that's down to Alan Wilson, who's another club stalwart. As for the team, the first team squad is probably the best I've ever been involved in, there's three senior teams full of quality and some young lads pushing through which is really great to see.
Do you think there's a future for you at Holker after you hang up the boots? Whether it be working there in any capacity or just as a fan?
At 33, I'm starting to feel the aches and pains a little more. I can see myself stepping into a coaching role in the future, but I'll certainly still be watching as a fan.
Holker have been a mainstay in Division One, even before the league split geographically. You're currently 3rd in the league, and by a comfortable margin - is this the season you finally go up?
It's been a great season so far. We're playing some excellent football as well, so I'm confident we'll make the play-offs. Annoyingly, after the Bury AFC defeat, they have breathing room st the top of the league, but there's many teams in this division that can take points off anyone. We're well aware of that but we're confident in what we can do and we know our squad can push for promotion.
Holker's player-manager Kevin Watkins also offered his thoughts on his side's longest-serving player, telling The NWCFL:
“Gareth's personal standards and approach to both training and games is exemplary, and a great influence on the younger players in the team. While he doesn't always start now, we know we can still rely on him in a pinch, he still has a great understanding of football which helps with his versatility, and his performance levels all over the pitch are consistently good.”
Even if Smith is entering his last handful of years as a player, it would seem there may still be a place for him at Rakesmoor for the next few decades. He still offers so much to the team and has done since 2007. It's undeniable that a player having a now 15 year playing career for one team at this level of English football is an incredible story, and with a play-off campaign this season looking likely, that might just give it the perfect peak.
15 years, 500 appearances and the odd wonder goal - Gareth Smith discusses it all
Fri 21st January 2022 | Holker Old Boys
By Jay Cooper
It's somewhat rare for a player in Steps 5 and 6 of English football to make more than 100 appearances for one particular side, what with no set transfer windows and player registrations changing almost fortnightly. However, after last week’s Division One North clash between Holker Old Boys and Cleator Moor Celtic, Holker's Gareth Smith reached a remarkable milestone.
The 33-year old midfielder made his 500th outing in Holker Old Boy's colours as his side ran out 2-0 winners. To mark the occasion, we caught up with the Cumbria-based side's ever-present midfield stalwart, for a chat about his achievement.
First game?
I remember it being against Castleton Gabriels, now known as Rochdale Town, as far back as 2007.
Favourite game?
I think that would be in the LFA Challenge Trophy semi-final against a strong Chorley team.
Why have you gone for that one?
With it being a cup semi-final, it was packed at Leyland, so there was a sense of occasion. I think Chorley were top of the Conference North at the time, and they played their full-strength squad, so it was a pretty good experience. We also beat AFC Fylde on penalties on the way to that semi-final – that one was also a standout game.
Favourite opponents and why?
I always liked playing against Cheadle (Heath Nomads). I remember scoring a couple of times against them, including the goal I mentioned before as my favourite. Also, when playing away against them, the games have always been a challenge and are often very physical.
Least favourite opponents?
I'd say New Mills – they hammered us on a few occasions.
Favourite goal you ever scored?
Against Cheadle Heath Nomads, actually, a couple of years ago, to put us 3-0 up. I don't score many, but I was proud of that one, having run from my own half and scored with the outside of my boot.
Best player(s) you ever played with?
Tough one to answer. Two names that stick out to me are Tod Bamber and Brad Hubbold.
What made them both the best players you ever played with?
Tod Bamber is one of my longest friends, we've played together since the U12's. He was always brilliant going forward. Unfortunately, he left us for AFC Liverpool, and then scored against us on his return and celebrated. Brad Hubbold was another centre midfielder, like Tod. He was very good with both feet and could win you a game from nothing. I played a lot of games with him until he left for Workington.
Most memorable moment?
I think it'd be the season we finished 3rd in the league – we went on an unbeaten run of almost 20 games!
Saddest moment?
Definitely when I was sent off against Wigan Robin Park – that got me a 10-match ban and £100 fine. It was a shocking challenge. I went over the top of the ball and then got into a shouting match with the referee – I can't remember what I said but the report wasn't exactly pretty. The red mist definitely got me.
500 appearances over 15 years is an incredible achievement, but what’s kept Smith at the club for so long and what does the future have in store for the midfielder?
What made you first join Holker Old Boys?
Actually, it came from Tod Bamber. We were good friends when we were kids, and at one time he was playing for Holker whilst I was at another local junior club, and the connection for me came from there.
What is it that's made you stay? At this level, teams chop and change all the time?
I just fell in love with the club. There's also a bit of a family connection as my Dad has been both manager and chairman. It's a greatly run club and I've seen it grow so much stronger with Maurice (Watkin) as chairman now and with the current management team.
How has the club around you changed? Be that players, staff, fans, infrastructure, setup?
Behind the scenes there has been a lot of hard work put in – Maurice does an unbelievable job. The facilities have improved a great deal, the pitch is probably the best it's been during my time here – that's down to Alan Wilson, who's another club stalwart. As for the team, the first team squad is probably the best I've ever been involved in, there's three senior teams full of quality and some young lads pushing through which is really great to see.
Do you think there's a future for you at Holker after you hang up the boots? Whether it be working there in any capacity or just as a fan?
At 33, I'm starting to feel the aches and pains a little more. I can see myself stepping into a coaching role in the future, but I'll certainly still be watching as a fan.
Holker have been a mainstay in Division One, even before the league split geographically. You're currently 3rd in the league, and by a comfortable margin - is this the season you finally go up?
It's been a great season so far. We're playing some excellent football as well, so I'm confident we'll make the play-offs. Annoyingly, after the Bury AFC defeat, they have breathing room st the top of the league, but there's many teams in this division that can take points off anyone. We're well aware of that but we're confident in what we can do and we know our squad can push for promotion.
Holker's player-manager Kevin Watkins also offered his thoughts on his side's longest-serving player, telling The NWCFL:
“Gareth's personal standards and approach to both training and games is exemplary, and a great influence on the younger players in the team. While he doesn't always start now, we know we can still rely on him in a pinch, he still has a great understanding of football which helps with his versatility, and his performance levels all over the pitch are consistently good.”
Even if Smith is entering his last handful of years as a player, it would seem there may still be a place for him at Rakesmoor for the next few decades. He still offers so much to the team and has done since 2007. It's undeniable that a player having a now 15 year playing career for one team at this level of English football is an incredible story, and with a play-off campaign this season looking likely, that might just give it the perfect peak.
