Still a year three scholar, Adam has recently started to demonstrate to Saltergate supporters his talents with a few substitute appearances and his endeavours, albeit only for a few fleeting glimpses, have received rave reviews. Nathan Adam Smith was born in Huddersfield on 20th February 1985 and as a youngster played in his home Town for a team called Lepton Highlanders and he had trials at Huddersfield Town and Oldham Athletic whilst aged 14 and 15 respectively.
He was spotted by The Spireites whilst playing for a men's team, Kirkheaton, in a Cup Semi Final, he was invited for a trial match, Rushden & Diamonds were his first opponents and after a couple of games he was offered a place on the Scholarship scheme.
A supporter of both Huddersfield and Manchester United, his heroes for those teams, "Marcus Stewart was a great player for Huddersfield, but Eric Cantona is my hero, definitely, he still is my hero now," Adam admits.
This season, Adam has been training with the first team, "It's really is a step up, it makes you a better player, playing with better players, better defenders, it's a big step up but I think I can handle it, it's been good so far."
His first involvement with the first team came as a non playing sub at Reading's marvellous Madejski Stadium on December 1st 2001 when Jon Howard scored early on and we survived an 80 minute battering to get a win at the home of one of that season's promoted sides. He was also a non playing sub in the following match, at home to QPR. "It was a great experience at Reading," he remembers, "It was a bit intimidating at the Madejski, I was only 16 years old, I was quite nervous but it was a good experience, but looking back, I did feel disappointed not to have more involvement having got so close to playing. It was good to warm up before the crowds, get a taste of what first team duty was all about, it's totally different going away with the first team, it's very professionally done."
A non playing sub role at Plymouth followed last season before, on Tuesday 12th November 2002 he came on for Jamie Burt in the 77th minute at Port Vale in the LDV Vans Trophy. The score was 1-1 at the time and extra time loomed. Carl Muggleton was playing a blinder in our goal and, as an ex Stoke player, begrudgingly won the respect of the Vale crowd. "I was quite nervous until I'd had a couple of touches, my first touch came off my shin, I then had a touch and tackle but soon got into it and began to enjoy it. "
Extra time came, no more goals, so a penalty shoot out. Striker Adam, still only 17 at the time and on his debut, volunteered. "Lee Richardson asked the lads who wanted to step up and take a penalty and I said I would like to. He ignored me at first and then all the lads told me I didn't have to do it but I really wanted to, I've got a lot of confidence and I thought I'd definitely score." Score he did but we lost 4-3 in the shoot out, Adam admits to have been more nervous after taking the 12 yarder, "I thought, what do I do now I've scored and looking back I thought, was that me? After I'd got changed, I asked myself why I'd volunteered!I was disappointed again not to have got more first team action, but it was the gaffer's decision and I just had to get on with it." He had two more non playing sub roles after that last season, including one at The McAlpine Stadium, his Home Town team.
This season, with David Reeves and Glynn Hurst out injured, Adam got a spot on the bench at home to Notts County on 13th September and he got his first taste of League action, coming on for the unfortunate Mark De Bolla, sadly injured on his debut. "A home debut is always nice, I really enjoyed it and got some good vibes off the crowd."
He followed that up with a few minutes at Brighton, on for Caleb Folan and then, on the left wing, at home to Brentford when he served up some delightful play and a few juicy crosses. "I had a lot of touches on the ball and managed to run at them a bit, I was buzzing after the first couple of minutes."
Adam has played wide left, wide right and as a central striker, but what's his favourite role? "Just playing is good enough, anywhere on the field, I don't complain. I'm working hardest on tackling at the moment and also on becoming a better team player, just listening to the Gaffer gives me good guidance. Dave Bentley's always giving me knocks about not passing, telling me I don't have to pretend to be Maradona every game, but I'm working on that."
His aim for the rest of the season is a simple one, "Just carrying on getting a few games in the first team, getting some starts and helping the boys get up the table." The longer term view is of course to get a full professional contract next season and get in to the first eleven every week. Beyond that, The Premiership is where I want to be, I'd love to be there, I just want to go as far as I can but The Premiership is the one."
Finally, there's another Smith waiting in the wings, 16 year old Andrew, who's been at Bradford City, Huddersfield Town and he's hoping to get a deal with Rushden & Diamonds, where ex Spireite Steve Spooner is the Youth Coach. "He's a big centre forward who's had some good games, he played against me for Bradford last season." says the elder brother, "I wouldn't mind him here at Chesterfield with me."
By Phil Tooley
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