Player Interview: Martin Smith

Martin Smith has enjoyed a long and successful career that has spanned over 12 years, however his toughest challenge in that time came off the field this summer when he fell in hospital and suffered traumatic head injuries. Now back to playing, Smith is looking ahead to what South Shields can achieve this season.

Speaking about his accident Smith said: “I was playing through some hernia pains in my groins for about six months and it got to the end of last season when I had to get it fixed. Whilst I was in hospital I had an unwitnessed fall and I’ve got no memory of the next four days.

“It caused a skull fracture and two bleeds on my brain and I spent eight days in a neurological hospital. It was a really worrying time because I didn’t know what was going on. It was an unbelievably bad experience but that’s what makes you stronger and you have to bounce back from things like that.”

However it was not just Smith that felt the effects of his injury.

He said: “My family, friends and teammates have all gone through it as well because they’re close to me,” the midfielder said before adding: “Everyone was thinking worst case scenario and I said I was going to have the belief inside that I could get back to doing what I love.

With the support of everyone around me I’ve managed to do that in a short space of time so I’m really proud of myself and everyone around me.”

Smith made his return to the pitch in Saturday’s defeat at Chester City, three months to the day since he was discharged from hospital.

“It was a bit of a surreal feeling to be back on the pitch having been out for so long and with how the journey has been since the injury, it was a case of not being able to wait to come back.

“When everything happened I was told six to 12 months and worse case was much worse than that. I wanted to return as quickly as I could and thanks to all the support around me that happened on Saturday.

“It’s time to get back to playing every week and help the team win games and I can’t wait to do that,” Smith said.

After starting his career with Sunderland, Smith has played for several clubs in England, Scotland and Ireland. However this summer has presented him with challenges he has never been through before.

“In my 12 years as a professional I’ve never missed pre-season; in fact I’ve never had a serious injury. So coming back to pre-season it was important for me to be in everyday even though I couldn’t drive so I could help the lads.

“It’s been the most difficult time in my life and one of the reasons for that was sitting on the sidelines watching the lads train and play. I’m not going to lie it was horrific and somehow I had to flip the mindset and be a team player to help the lads.

“I’ve tried to manage that frustration to use it as a positive because it’s not easy to sit and not help but we’re through it now and luckily enough I’m able to be on the pitch,” said Smith.

Smith’s side have had a mixed start to the season, winning four and losing four in their opening eight league matches.

“First and foremost the last thing we want is inconsistency, we have been consistent over the last couple of years. This league is fine margins and we have to make sure we come out on the better side more often than not.

“Results will come but if we can’t win every game it’ll be a case of just taking a point sometimes, especially away from home but we want to win games because that’s how we are as a team,” the 28-year-old said.

It has been a summer of change at the 1st Cloud Arena with a number of players coming and going. This has also seen a reduction in the age of the Mariners’ squad, with the team that finished the home win against Buxton last Tuesday having an average age of below 21.

“Having the right blend is brilliant and I think we’ve got that. The young players we’ve got, either through the academy or the ones we’ve brought in, all bring different attributes but it is a case of us experienced lads trying to guide them.

“It’s a breath of fresh air to have a younger average age but at the same time they have to understand the demands of this club and we’ll bring those demands as older players because we want to succeed,” Smith said.

Last season ended in disappointing fashion for South Shields as they missed out on the play-offs by just a single point on the final day of the season.

“Our target is to go one better than last year. We were devastated after the game to miss out by a point. You look back and think if we got a point here or there we would have been in the play-offs,” Smith said before adding: “Two or three of us have hammered it down to use it as motivation.

We’ve got to use that as our strength this season and I think with the players, manager and staff we have we are capable of being in the play-offs.”