Capped by England Youth at several levels, he was given a baptism of fire at first-team level but remains a promising prospect
The Terriers’ number two goalkeeper, Smithies is one for the future.
The Huddersfield-born teenager made his first team debut in December 2007 when Matthew Glennon was sent off in the League One clash with Southend United at Roots Hall and played the final 14 minutes of the 4-1 defeat (in case you're wondering, Town were already 2-1 down when the teenager came on).
With Town refused permission to get in an emergency loan keeper because Smithies was on professional terms, the teenager made his full debut three days later against Leeds United; Town lost 4-0, so Smithies had conceded six goals in his first 105 minutes of first-team football. Not that the youngster should be too downhearted: you can't be a mug and still get caps for England U16, U17 (he played at the 2007 U17 World Cup in Korea) and U18.