Darlington v York: Plastering over cracks as Smith returns to finish job

Chris Smith believed his golden chance had gone eight years ago when an ill-conceived red card in York City colours ultimately denied him a shot at Premier League Fulham.

Much of the time since then, after getting dumped by the Minstermen, the centre-half has been seeing red of a different shade, forced into grafting 10-hour days as a plasterer with his dreams of life as a professional footballer, let alone FA Cup hero, seemingly as cracked as the walls in front of him.

Another chance materialised in 2005 when he was turning out for Conference North club Worcester and he downed his trowel to take on Huddersfield Town in front of the TV cameras.

They lost 1-0 in a game the spirited part-timers felt they should have won and Smith could only wince when, seconds after the final whistle, their narrow victors were drawn at illustrious Chelsea. Foiled again.

But today, rediscovered after spiralling into the depths of non-league football with Worcester and Stafford, he has the opportunity to redress the balance back with the club where his colourful career first properly began.

When Smith leads York out at Blue Square Premier rivals Darlington – six years after that Bootham Crescent exit – the rejuvenated captain knows he and his side are just 90 minutes away from booking their place in tomorrow evening's potentially lucrative third-round draw.

"Winning and then getting a big Premier League side would make up for what happened back in 2002, without a doubt," Smith told the Yorkshire Post, those dark memories still vivid.

"I was absolutely gutted, just like later with that Huddersfield game. It was my first year at York, I was only young and we'd beaten Reading in the previous round; one of the highlights of my first spell with City.

"We won 2-0 at our place and I remember feeling ecstatic – Reading were the club that had released me just a few months before and I got man-of-the-match as well.

"We then drew Fulham, with the likes of Saha, Malbranque, and Van der Sar. But I was sat on the bench."

Smith had been dismissed a week earlier at Rushden & Diamonds and subsequently dropped to the bench by Terry Dolan. The raw 20-year-old was left there kicking his heels for the huge tie.

Ironically, he was at Rushden again just a week ago having recently returned to York on loan from Mansfield.

"I remember thinking the last time I played here for York I got sent off with a straight red and we lost 3-0," he said. "Fortunately, we beat them 4-0 this time and we're playing some good football.

"Darlington are on a good run and they're the home team so they'll be favourites but we'll be very disappointed not to win there after getting this far and knowing how we can play."

Since the 29-year-old arrived back in North Yorkshire last month, one of the first signings of new manager Gary Mills, they have lost just once in six games, his calmness and solidity at the back helping produce four consecutive clean sheets.

It has been a real transformation for an ailing side rated also-rans just weeks earlier following a torrid opening to the campaign which led to previous manager Martin Foyle quitting.

Smith concedes he never thought he would play for York again after being released in 2004 when the club fell out of the Football League and he is buzzing following his surprise return.

"The disappointing thing was I got offered a deal by (then-player-manager) Chris Brass that January which was done and dusted apart from me actually signing," recalled the player, who had made almost 90 appearances yet only got his first York goal in the 3-0 first-round replay win over Rotherham which set up this afternoon's encounter.

"But then we got relegated and they took it away. I'm not one to hold a grudge, though, and it's great to be back.

"You never think you'll return to a club you've left. I'm glad I have."

Part of the reason is his relationship with Mills, who managed the reliable defender at Tamworth prior to his move to Mansfield in the summer and instantly made him captain on his return to York.

"I get on well with Gary and he's a great manager," he said. "When I left York I actually went for a trial at Notts County when he was there. I was very close to getting a contract but there were two of us and they only had money for one player.

"They said if I did well (at Stafford) they'd come back and get me but I got injured and, when I was back playing, Gary had got the sack."

However, Smith is a big believer in things happening for a reason.

"After leaving York, the only way I could make things work and add up was to play in the non-league and get a job," he said. "I actually became a plasterer and did that for a long while working from 7.30 in the morning until 5.30 at night, outside rendering in the freezing cold and then charging to training two nights a week.

"I'd love to say I wished I'd managed to get signed up at York and get another deal but by doing what I did I now appreciate what I do more than ever.

"Maybe I didn't before – some players don't now – and it was a real struggle for a while.

"You lose faith in your ability and you have to try and pick yourself up but I've done that now."

Hopefully his undeniable dedication will finally be rewarded with that elusive glamour finish.

The big match: Darlington v York City, FA Cup, second round, today, 3.0pm