Tommy Smith has not been able to recuperate from a torn Achilles injury sustained in October.
An emotional Tommy Smith declared his retirement from football, admitting defeat in his quest to recover from an Achilles injury.
The 32-year-old contributed significantly to Boro’s promotion to the Championship play-offs in 2023, led by Michael Carrick. However, just three months into the following season, he suffered a torn Achilles tendon that necessitated surgery and has kept him out since.
The defender has worked extremely hard over the previous 18 months to try to make a comeback, but believes specialist opinion has left him with little alternative but to abandon his playing career. Boro will allow him to remain at the club to complete his rehabilitation, utilising the club’s medical specialists and facilities.
Smith posted an emotional statement on the club’s website, saying, “When I ruptured my Achilles on October 23, 2023, I had full belief and confidence that I would come back better and stronger than ever. After 15 months of therapy and tough meetings with the medical team at Middlesbrough and the top foot and ankle consultant in the UK, I have chosen to retire from professional football.
“To even consider not playing the sport that I have only done for pretty much my entire life has been extremely difficult to accept. We’ve worked diligently with the team at Middlesbrough to get my body to the level it needs to be at, but I haven’t advanced as we had hoped, and I believe it’s time for me to finish this beautiful chapter of my life and move forward to what comes next.
“The journey of becoming a football player is unlike any other. It has been my dream since I was a boy. Looking back on my 15 years as a professional fills me with immense satisfaction, and while it’s difficult to come to terms with this decision, I can’t help but grin at the outcome, the fantastic people I’ve met, the special memories I’ve created, and everything I’ve accomplished in the game.”
Smith signed as a free agent with Boro in the summer of 2022. Initially signed by Chris Wilder, he demonstrated tremendous patience throughout his trial stint at Boro, with the club unwilling to offer him a contract until Djed Spence was moved to Tottenham. Initially a backup to Isaiah Jones at wing-back, he sprang to prominence in a Boro short when Wilder was fired and Carrick arrived, forcing a change in formation.
In a message thanking numerous people close to him as well as former clubs, he said of Boro: “To everyone at Middlesbrough. First and foremost, I want to thank the physios, physicians, and coaching staff for their unwavering support and efforts to assist me during this injury. To every other member of staff who I have the pleasure of working with and seeing on a daily basis, who make it a place you enjoy working in, and who have remained optimistic and supportive of me every day during this difficult time. You all have no idea how much I appreciate you.
“Special thanks to Chairman Steve Gibson, Neil Bauser, Kieran Scott, and Michael Carrick for their ongoing support and patience during the process. And to all of the players in the locker room, whom I adore and respect much. I have a lot of faith and belief in you all as players and individuals to keep going and achieve your goals.”
Smith began his career in Manchester City’s academy and then joined Huddersfield Town as an under-21 player. He went on to make 200 appearances for the first team, including 42 in their Premier League promotion season. After two years in the top division with the Terriers, he spent three years at Stoke City before moving to Teesside.
“I’ve come a long way since being a little boy with big dreams, from starting out at Manchester City from age 11-20,” according to Smith. “Then I spent seven years at Huddersfield, two of which were in the world’s best league, the Premier League, followed by three years at Stoke and three years at Middlesbrough.
“In total, I made 353 career appearances, and I couldn’t have asked for four finer football clubs to be a part of my journey. I will be eternally grateful for the love and support of everyone related to all four. To the club owners I’ve played for, the managers and coaches I’ve worked under, all of the players I’ve played with, and all of the supporters who’ve stuck by me and the teams I’ve represented through thick and thin. Thank you, everyone.
“Given the success I’ve had both personally and collectively at Huddersfield, I must say I’m completely indebted to two guys in particular, Dean Hoyle and David Wagner, for whom I don’t think I’ll ever be able to express my gratitude. You’ve both changed my life. To be able to lead Huddersfield out to Wembley Stadium in front of 80,000 people for a play-off final is without a doubt one of the highlights of not only my football career, but my entire life. Closely followed by becoming Huddersfield’s club captain and making my Premier League debut against Crystal Palace in 2017. These are memories I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”
Smith’s plans for retirement are currently unknown. He was pursuing his coaching credentials alongside other Boro teammates at the club, but while recovering this season, he has also worked several games as a commentator for Sky Sports, most notably on Monday evening for Boro’s match against Sunderland.
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