This week's player interview features a former 'Fleet favourite in Ross Smith. A true gentleman off the field and an excellent defender on the field, Ross has overcome everything life has thrown at him and is an inspiration to those around him. I'd like to thank Ross for contributing to my Blog, and here is what he had to say.
Having played in both America and England, how are the two different in terms of standard of football?
This has always been a tricky one to answer. I use to compare the MLS to that of being a couple Premiership or Championship quality players on each team, and then the rest of the team would be League 1 or 2 standards. The talent in the MLS is getting better year by year I believe.
How are the Countries different in aspects other than the football?
With the people...the humour. I think the British Banter and style of humour is brilliant. Nothing ever seems to be heavy hearted, where people can poke fun at either themselves or others, without any malice meant. Some of my closest friends are from my time spent across there, and I admire their honesty, wit....and cruelty!
What was your earliest footballing memory?
I remember wanting to be a player like Andrei Kanchelskis. I would go out to the school playground and dribble at objects pretending they were defenders while trying to run like Kanchelskis. Probably the only time in my career I touched the ball with my feet!
You spent a season in League Two with Dagenham and Redbridge. How was that, and how did it compare to the Conference Premier?
Playing for the Daggers was a special year in my Career. They were very similar to Ebbsfleet in that the supporters, Manager and players were incredible people with a great amount of passion and desire for their club. Like Ebbsfleet, I couldn't say enough good things about my teammates from then, and I'm still in close touch with a lot of the guys.
You've had three different spells at the 'Fleet, what is it about the club that kept attracting you back?
The entire club. The Supporters, Staff, Manager and Players. I have always loved playing for the Fleet and it's a combination of all of these reasons that have been consistent throughout all my spells. The one reason why I have put pen to paper for these 3 spells however, before the others, has been Liam Daish. The Gaffer gave me my first chance at full time football, he gave me the support and opportunity to play again after my heart op when no other clubs would take a chance on me...and this final spell when I had been out from football for so long, he gave me the chance to get back involved. I owe a great deal to the Gaffer, and was a manager that I would 'go to war for', so to speak.
I have a tremendous amount of respect for the Gaffer and Macca and some of my best footballing moments were because of them.
What's the best game you've ever played in?
I do have a few for various reasons. The one though that I have cherished (and I hate to go deep here - I am sorry!) but it was away at York. My first game back after the heart op. By a long way, it wasn't my best match. In fact, I had to be subbed after 60 minutes because I was cramping all over! But everything that went in to it...the emotion and all....I'll never forget winning my first header off of a goal kick and to look over to see Dean Pooley who I played beside that game, just give me a wink. Then chatting to Charles Webster on the radio after that game, for me....I look back as it being one of the most special days in football I've had.
In 2009, the Doctors detected a faulty heart valve which required Heart surgery. How did you feel knowing that there was a chance you may never play football competitvely again?
I was okay to be honest. At the time, the initial news and diagnoses on my heart, I was put into the frame of mind of having a lot more to be concerned about then just playing soccer. Eventually after seeing a top specialist in Canada and with him telling me I could be fixed, it was then the thoughts started to creep back in that maybe there would be a chance to play again.
You spent a season with Portland Timbers, in which they gained promotion to the MLS. You retired for the 2nd time at the end of that season, how come you never gave yourself a chance to compete in the top League in America?
That does sound a lot better the way you worded it Joe...as though it was my decision! The team decided that they would not be renewing my contract as they wanted a younger more athletic team to take them into the first year of MLS. With my injuries as well, they asked me if I'd consider hanging up the boots, stay with the club, and make the move into the media side of things and learn the ropes off of the likes of Robbie Earle. It was one I couldn't obviously fully come to terms with, which brought me back across the pond again.
What's the best advice you've received, and who was it from?
'No tippy tappy' - It was from my dad. I say this, as I have a Soccer training academy at home near Toronto now called 'No Tippy Tappy'. I started this 4 years ago and I always loved for what it stood for. To go full on into things and to never hold back. David Rainford, now at Chelmsford City, helps me run this academy and there is a competition amongst the kids every year for who can say 'No Tippy Tappy' in the best British accent.
While you had your Heart problems, did you consider going into another profession, or was you hoping you were going to be OK to play football again?
This is when I started 'No Tippy Tappy', as I wasn't sure if I would be able to return to football. I have always had the dream to do documentary films at some stage as well. I love listening to heroic, inspiring stories from various walks of life, and so I hope to perhaps tell a few peoples stories on a larger scale someday.
Who are the toughest strikers you've faced?
One year when we played Grays Athletic, I remember playing against this 4ft.10 striker for Grays who gave me the toughest 90 minutes I'd had in a long time. I couldn't believe it when he came on rrial to then Gravesend and Northfleet the following year. It was Mark Debolla. Charlie Mac was another tricky player and although we only came up against each other once when Daggers played Southend - when we were teammates, everyday in training was a good challenge to face him. He was the type that could somehow always find his half a yard.
I did play against Emmanuel Adebayor when I was at Portland, against Man City. That was just a complete other level. I was jumping to the level of his waist for headers.
After leaving the 'Fleet at the end of last season, you returned home. Are you still playing now? If not, what are you doing in life?
I'm not. It is still in the mind, but for the first time in my life, the thought has faded a little. I spoke to Macca and the Gaffer in pre-season and told them I was going to hang up the boots. Macca gave me the advice to not jump at the decision so quick. I'm glad he did as there are days when I truly miss it. I do miss the Saturdays in Britain and I'm always around my computer getting the results as soon as they come in.
I did write a letter of 'Thanks to all at the Fleet' that sits by my dining room table that I wanted to send along before the start of the season to say that I'm deciding to finish playing. Something quite won't let me send it however. Whether I should keep playing, or whether as a footballer you always feel there's one more game... I don't know.
Right now I'm growing 'No Tippy Tappy', and looking to see about opportunities for getting back into the Media side of the game.
Who are your friends in football?
Friends from my time in the UK that I'm close and on the phone with are Stacy Long, Mark 'Ricko' Ricketts, Mark Debolla, Aaron Kerr, Dean Pooley, Lance Cronin, John Keeling and Macca [Paul McCarthy] from the Gravesend/Ebbsfleet days. From Daggers, Sam Sloma, Sam Saunders, Dave Rainford, Shane Huke. For me, Macca was always a close mentor both in and out of the game, as well as Steve Guppy. Steve was player assistant when I first moved back to the States, and he took me to the MLS with Colorado. So many teammates from my time there however where we were all so close with over a certain period of time, that we could pick up the phone and nothing would change.
After 'retiring' after your season with Portland Timbers you took up the job of 'Radio Analyst' for their games. How did you find this?
I enjoyed it, especially with the opportunity to remain part of such a big and special club as the Timbers. I did struggle with trying to have an opinion and being critical of players if they were having a tough game. As well I did the behind the scenes interviews and banter with players, which suited me a bit more.
How do you look back at your time on the 'Fleet?
A time that I would want back. There was something truly special about Stonebridge Road after a big match and if the team had played well. The importance of the club was instilled in us with my first year through the likes of Jimmy Jackson, Macca, Steve McKimm & 'Skins' [Justin Skinner]. That group of players meant a great deal to the supporters and you could sense there was a great level of mutual respect and closeness amongst everyone at the club. There were so many highs and lows, but the characters and standard of players that I was able to play alongside had me always looking forward to coming in to training or games.
Do you have any regrets in your footballing career?
I truly don't.
Whenever you do anything Physical now, do you have any fears about your Heart?
Not at all, to be honest. I'm well looked after with the cardiologist in Toronto and so much healthier then I was before.
Liam Daish. One of the most well respected managers in the lower leagues and a 'Fleet legend. What makes him so well respected?
I think it's because players enjoy playing for the Gaffer and there's a presence about him. He's honest and fair. If you work hard for the Gaffer, he will back and support you. If you've had a tough day, he will let you know, but by the same measure... If you've done well, his praise feels well earned and deserved. As I said before, players want a manager they can say they would 'go to war' for, and Liam Daish was one of the few managers in my playing days that I could say that for.
Name your best XI from players you've played with and against.
I've always shied away from this question as I've played along some great players who are friends today that I would have to leave out! You can see why I struggled to have an opinion as a radio analyst. I will say I've enjoyed some fantastic Centre half partnerships with the likes of Lorro [Paul Lorraine] and Macca. These partners, in my mind, were some of the best as they were brave, hard nosed, honest, and well respected both on and off the pitch. I would come back to play if Macca were to put on the boots again. There was so much trust with him, to the point that I broke my nose at Stonebridge Road against Forest Green, because he told me to head a ball that was down around my knees!
Who would you say has been the biggest influence in your life?
My family and friends
Currently sitting bottom of the table, do you feel the 'Fleet can get out of the predicament they find themselves in at the moment?
I do. There are some fantastic players and names on the team sheet. They are a hard working, honest group who could string results together and are more then capable of digging themselves out.
Would you consider a return to English football if given the chance?
I would love to have some part of my life back that way again, so maybe if the opportunity for a Coaching role came about.
Finally, sum up your career in one word.
Fortunate
