Tim Smithers


Timothy Smithers is an English former professional footballer who played in the Football League, as a left back.

Club career

Early career

Before transitioning to professional football, Smithers worked with British Aerospace in Lutterworth for eight years as an aircraft fitter.

Oxford United

In February 1980, Smithers was linked with a possible move to Oxford United. He officially signed with Oxford in May 1980, along with Malcolm Shotton, for a reported transfer fee of £15,000. In his debut season in the Football League Third Division, he scored the lone goal against Millwall on August 30, 1981, which prevented the club from relegation.
Injuries and irregular playing time marked his first season with Oxford, and he would become a starter the following season. In the following season, as he became a starter, the club would also become promotion contenders. In his final season with Oxford, he was linked with a potential move back to Nuneaton Borough. Nuneaton Borough received Oxford's permission to negotiate with Smithers but failed to finalize a deal.

Nuneaton Town

In his final season with Oxford, he was relegated to the reserve side, which enabled Nuneaton Borough to pursue him. A month later, his contract with Oxford was mutually terminated, and he returned to his former club. Smithers helped the club finish as runners-up in the Alliance Premier League. The following season, he helped Nuneaton avoid relegation.

Atherstone United

In 1987, Smithers was loaned to Atherstone Town for a month to play in the Southern Football League. Following his months' trial with Atherstone, he signed permanently with the club on January 2, 1988.

International career

In 1985, he was selected by Kevin Verity to represent the England national football C team in the Four Nations Tournament.

Managerial career

In 1985, while playing for Nuneaton Borough, Smithers served as an assistant coach to Richard Dixey.