Grant Ashley Smith (born 20 November 1993) is an English professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for club Bromley.
Career Smith began his career playing in the youth system of Eldon Celtic before joining the academy of Reading in 2007, before moving to Fulham. After spending two years with Fulham, Smith joined the development squad at Brighton & Hove Albion in September 2012, agreeing a one-year contract extension in May 2013. He joined Bognor Regis Town in February 2014. In May 2014 he was released by Brighton & Hove Albion. He joined Hayes & Yeading United in September 2014, before moving to Farnborough a month later. However, after just three appearances, Smith returned to Hayes & Yeading United at the end of October
The 2015–16 season saw his second spell with Bognor Regis Town where he was an ever present in the club's successful season which included a run to the semi-final of the FA Trophy; Smith's efforts saw him named the Fans' Player of the Year but the distance in travelling from his Reading home saw him elect to leave the club at the end of the season and join Boreham Wood,
Smith signed for Lincoln City in June 2018. He made his professional debut on 14 August 2018, in the EFL Cup. He signed on loan for Maidstone United in October 2018, but was recalled on 4 December 2018. On 31 January 2020 he rejoined Boreham Wood on loan for the rest of the 2019/20 season. On 28 May 2020, it was announced Smith would leave the club at the end of his current contract.
On 24 October 2020, Smith joined Wealdstone. Less than a month later Smith was released as Wealdstone tried to balance the books during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In January 2021, Smith signed for fellow National League side Chesterfield. Originally only on a short-term contract, Smith signed a new contract extension in April 2021 that would keep him at the club until the summer of 2022. Smith left the club by mutual consent on 18 June 2021.
On 23 June 2021, Smith joined National League side Yeovil Town on a one-year deal. Smith has his contract extension triggered at the end of the 2021–22 season. At the end of the 2022–23 season, Smith was released by Yeovil following the club's relegation from the National League.
On 4 July 2023, Smith returned to the National League with Bromley. On 5 May 2024, he saved two penalties as Bromley defeated Solihull Moors on penalties to earn promotion to the English Football League for the first time in the club's history.
His contract with Bromley was renewed for the 2026–27 season, after the club exercised a contract option.
Career statistics
+Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsBrighton & Hove Albion2013–14Championship0000000000Bognor Regis Town (loan)2013–14Isthmian LeaguePremier Division18000—10190Farnborough2014–15Conference South3000—0030Hayes & Yeading United2014–15Conference South18000—40220Bognor Regis Town2015–16Isthmian LeaguePremier Division46040—150650Boreham Wood2016–17National League46030—605502017–18National League46030—100590Total92060001601140Lincoln City2018–19League Two1600010001702019–20League One0000203050Total160003030220Maidstone United (loan)2018–19National League5020—0070Boreham Wood (loan) 2019–20National League1000—1020Wealdstone 2020–21National League0010—0010Chesterfield2020–21National League180——00180Yeovil Town 2021–22National League37040—204302022–23National League44020—00460Total810600020890Bromley 2023–24National League41020—504802024–25League Two4503000004802025–26League Two4301000004402026–27League One0000000000Total12906000501400Career total4290250304705040
Honours Lincoln City EFL League Two: 2018–19
Bromley EFL League Two: 2025–26 National League play-offs: 2024
Individual National League Team of the Season: 2023–24
References