The heartache driving Alex Smithies, Cardiff City's unsung hero
There are a few contenders for the Player of the Season award, but some believe Alex Smithies is leading the pack
By Glen Williams
Tuesday 23rd June 2020
Rewind 12 months and it would be virtually unthinkable that Neil Etheridge would be warming the bench for Cardiff City.
The Philippines international had just won the Bluebirds' Player of the Season award in the Premier League and was the subject of interest from Aston Villa, to the tune of £7million no less.
It was a huge coup when City managed to keep hold of him, but now, as we rattle towards the end of this elongated Championship season, he can have few complaints about his spot on the bench.
And that is through no fault of his own, of course. Barring the odd grumble about his distribution, perhaps, Etheridge has been largely faultless between the sticks.
But Alex Smithies has been something else.
Smithies has been immense with the gloves for Cardiff City, undoubtedly an unsung hero in the Bluebirds' quest to obtain a play-off spot this season.
On the field he has been tremendous, small moments which have kept Cardiff in big games; think of that last-minute save against West Brom's Kenneth Zohore back in February or the point-blank smothering of Tyler Roberts against Leeds United on Sunday.
These are moments which often get ignored, but the team know their importance.
Joe Ralls started off the season like a train before his succession of injuries, while Lee Tomlin has blossomed to no end since Neil Harris took the reins back in November, many believe the playmaker is a shoo-in for the Player of the Year gong.
But there is a burgeoning school of thought that Smithies could stake a claim for that title, too.
It has been an emotional few months for Cardiff City. The loss of Peter Whittingham hit everyone who is associated with the club hard and there was a physical outpouring of emotion when Junior Hoilett raised aloft a 'Whittingham No 7' shirt after scoring the first goal at Cardiff City Stadium on Sunday.
Even the players who never played with him, like Smithies, admitted how emotionally difficult it had been for everyone at the club the last few months after learning of Whittingham's passing.
"It’s been a tough year with Peter Whittingham, it’s devastating what happened because of how he was thought of in Cardiff and in football as well," Smithies said after the win over Leeds.
"I didn’t know him personally, but I played against him and knew what a talent he was. It was nice to put this performance in for him and celebrate with his shirt because we’re still thinking of him as a club. He was looking down on us today."
Whittingham's death has understandably taken its toll on all who knew him at Cardiff City, indeed Neil Harris dedicated the victory over Leeds to the Bluebirds great.
The former midfielder's passing came just two months after another tragedy which hit a lot closer to home for Smithies.
Back in January, the goalkeeper lost his close friend, Jordan Sinnott, his former Huddersfield Town team-mate who died after he was found unconscious during a night out.
Three men were arrested over Jordan's death, two of whom have been charged with manslaughter, affray and common assault while the third pleaded guilty to affray back in March.
Both Smithies and Danny Ward, who played with Sinnott for the Terriers, were understandably affected deeply by the horrendous ordeal.
Given how often a manager is duty-bound to speak to the press, very few things stick in the memory for any length of time. But the number of times Harris paid tribute to Smithies' strength of character following Sinnott's death was particularly poignant.
"For Alex to have been as professional as he has and to train and perform the way he has is great testament to himself and his friendship with Jordan," Harris said back in January. "I can't speak highly enough of those sort of characters."
Smithies, Ward and Sinnott's brother, Tom, coordinated the 'Shirts for Jordan' drive, which saw more than 800 footballing figures across the world donate their jerseys to be displayed at Jordan's funeral.
From England manager Gareth Southgate to Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson, the initiative shone a positive light on the togetherness within the sport on these shores.
Alex Smithies and Danny Ward with all the shirts donated to the Jordan Shirts cause
During lockdown, Smithies said that chasing his two little daughters around the house has kept him mentally and physically fit.
He uses every ounce of strength he has to concentrate on the task at hand every time he crosses the whitewash. But, behind the amazing saves and reassuringly consistent performances, it's been difficult.
"It’s been a very tough period for me personally with losing my own friend and Danny Ward’s best friend," Smithies added.
"It’s been a tough time and with what happened to Peter Whittingham it felt like quite similar circumstances in that they were both far too young to pass away.
"With the help of each other as team-mates and for me personally with my family, it’s amazing what you can get through."
Smithies' desire to do well to make his friend proud has had a positive effect not only on the player's performances, but the Bluebirds' results, of that there is no doubt.
Another stellar display against Championship high-flyers Leeds United has put City level on points with Preston, in sixth place.
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