Michael Smith (born 4 September 1988) is a Northern Irish professional footballer who plays as a defender for club Weston-super-Mare and the Northern Ireland national team. Smith has previously played for Heart of Midlothian in Scotland, Ballyclare Comrades and Ballymena United in Northern Ireland, and Bristol Rovers, Peterborough United and Yeovil Town in England.
At Hearts, Smith was mostly utilised as a right-back – either as a fullback or as a wing-back – however he also deputised as a centre-back (often as the right-most of a back three) when needed.
Smith has received several honours, including the Ballymena United Player of the Year in 2009–10, and Bristol Rovers Player of the Year in 2012–13.
Club career
Early career Smith began playing football under the management of his father at Greenisland Boys Club and was picked up by his first senior club, Ballyclare Comrades in 2005. He signed for Irish League side Ballymena United in January 2009, and made over 100 appearances for them before moving to England to join Bristol Rovers in 2011.
Bristol Rovers He made his debut on 6 August 2011, in a 3–2 victory away against AFC Wimbledon. He made his home debut on 13 August in a 1–2 defeat to local rivals Torquay United. He scored his first goal for the club in August 2012, opening the scoring in a 3–1 EFL Cup defeat to Ipswich Town.
At the end of the 2012–13 season, he was named the club's Player of the Year before signing a new two-year contract. The 2013–14 season saw Rovers relegated from the Football League for the first time in the club's history, a 1–0 defeat to Mansfield Town sealing their fate on the final day of the season. Despite this, both Smith and teammate John-Joe O'Toole were named in the PFA League Two Team of the Season. Following relegation, he handed in a transfer request.
Peterborough United On 25 July 2014, Smith moved to Peterborough United, signing a three-year deal.
Heart of Midlothian On 30 June 2017, Michael Smith signed for Hearts in the Scottish Premiership. He signed a two-year deal, wearing the number 2 shirt previously worn by Callum Paterson.
On 7 January 2021, Smith signed an 18-month contract extension. In January 2022 he signed another one-year contract extension to his existing deal. On 25 May 2023, he was announced to be leaving the club at the end of the 2022–23 season.
Yeovil Town On 12 September 2023, Smith signed for National League South side Yeovil Town on a one-year deal with an option of an additional year.
Following a successful 2023–24 season that saw Yeovil promoted back to the National League as champions, Smith had a one-year contract extension clause triggered.
Smith departed the club upon the expiration of his contract at the end of the 2024–25 season.
Weston-super-Mare On 17 July 2025, Smith joined National League South side Weston-super-Mare having featured for the club as a trialist in pre season.
International career Smith received his first call-up to the senior Northern Ireland squad on 16 March 2016 for friendlies against Wales and Slovenia. He scored his first international goal on 19 November 2019, in a 6–1 defeat against Germany.
Career statistics Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational CupLeague CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsBallymena United2008–09IFA Premiership1200000001202009–10IFA Premiership3726122304852010–11IFA Premiership373203110434Total8658153401039Bristol Rovers2011–12League Two2000020102302012–13League Two3811011104122013–14League Two430501010500Total10116041301142Peterborough United2014–15League One4311010104612015–16League One3814000104312016–17League One391401000441Total12039020201333Heart of Midlothian2017–18Scottish Premiership3103040—3802018–19Scottish Premiership2804062—3822019–20Scottish Premiership2305071—3512020–21Scottish Championship2520010—2622021–22Scottish Premiership2022050—2722022–23Scottish Premiership282301070392Total1556170243702039Heart of Midlothian B2022–23————1010Yeovil Town2023–24National League South27150—003212024–25National League27100—10281Total54250—10602Weston-super-Mare2025–26National League South33070—30430Career total5491752135721065725
International goals Scores and results Northern Ireland's goal tally first.
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition 1. 19 November 2019 Waldstadion, Frankfurt, Germany 1–0 1–6 UEFA Euro 2020 qualification
Honours
Ballyclare Comrades Irish League 2nd Division Winner: 2004/05
Heart of Midlothian Scottish Cup runner-up: 2018–19, 2019–20, 2021–22 Scottish Championship: 2020–21
Yeovil Town National League South: 2023–24
Individual Ballyclare Comrades Young Player of the Year: 2006–07, 2007–08 Ballymena United Player of the Year: 2009–10 Ballymena United Players' Player of the Year: 2009–10 Ballymena United Goal of the Season: 2009–10 Bristol Rovers Player of the Year: 2012–13 Bristol Rovers Player of the Year: 2013–14 PFA Team of the Year: 2013–14 League Two PFA Scotland Team of the Year: 2020–21 Scottish Championship
References
External links
Michael Smith profile at the Peterborough United F.C. website