Planet Swans ArchivesSmudger’s continuing injury problems have been a concern since we were promoted as champions in 2000. During those three years he has spent more time out of the side than in it and, although he has been sadly missed, a Swansea side without Jason in it has become a regular feature of time at the Vetch.
You never want to hear of a player retiring from the game through injury let alone when it is one that was such a valuable part of that championship side. Together with Roger, Steve Jones, Matt Bound and Mickey Howard, Smudger formed the backbone of John Hollins’s side that was so tough to break down and was a major reason in the success of that season. 1-0 to the Swansea became a norm in games and for most of the season we felt that if we scored one then it would generally be enough. It wasn’t pretty to watch at times but it was effective and bought the club their first championship success for over 50 years.
But with promotion to the second division and the lack of re-inforcements and continuing injury problems to Smith the side saw a turnaround in fortunes that saw owners and managers come and go and last season almost climaxed with relegation from the football league. We survived, largely without Smith, and sit at this moment in time in the promotion spots in the third division. But it’s a familiar site not to see the name of Smith on the Swansea team sheet and maybe the writing was on the wall in the summer?
Jason was absent from the club’s photo call before the opening day against Bury and rumours surfaced soon after that fixture that we had seen the last of him in the professional game – in a playing capacity anyway. Back on August 17, we printed a story claiming that he was about to call it quits on the game that he loved although it was strongly denied by Brian Flynn at the time. Several appearances on the bench followed for Smith although there never seemed a likelihood that he would make that bench appearance translate to one on the pitch. His own words a few weeks back claimed that he was not fully fit and that he could not last 90 minutes which probably effectively said then that the decision had been made. But it was this morning that the confirmation arrived that he had kicked his last ball in a Swans shirt.
I won’t forget Jason Smith despite his problems. I’ll take with me through all my days his goal at Upton Park in the FA Cup which almost gave us an away scalp at a Premiership ground. I’ll remember his powering defensive headers during that championship season and I’ll remember Matthew Bound telling me once “He’s a nutter” – something which he meant in the nicest sense of the word in that his partner would never shirk a challenge. Sadly, the last memories are of a man that never recovered from his first injury and someone that too often we saw in the stands when we needed him on the pitch. But we’ll remember him.
Swans legend Roger Freestone told JackArmy.net today “It’s a sad loss to the game. It was a pleasure to play behind Smudger and you always had confidence that he could help get the side out of trouble when we were under pressure. Records such as clean sheets go against my name as the goalkeeper but any keeper will tell you that they cannot do it without a good defence in front of him. My thoughts will be with Jason and his family at this moment in time and I just wish he had the chance to have fulfilled his potential here at Swansea. He will be missed and I am sure that he will keep in touch with the lads even if he isn’t part of the squad any more.”
There is no doubt that the news of Smudger’s retirement will leave a hole in the squad that needs filling and the ball now falls with Brian Flynn to go out and find someone capable of filling those boots. Roberto Martinez has been appointed club captain following the retirement of Smith.
Good luck Smudger in whatever you do from now on in – we will miss you.
