Name: Michael Smith Position: Defender Born: Ballyclare Date of Birth: 04/09/1988 United Debut: 27/01/2009 v. Dunnganon Swifts (home) - lost 1-2 United Stats: 52 appearances, 5 goals Career: Greenisland BC Aug 2007 - Ballyclare Comrades Jan 2009 - Ballymena United International Honours: Northern Ireland Under-18 Schools Shirt Sponsor: None

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DESPITE interest from a number of Irish League clubs, Ballymena United won the race for talented defender Michael Smith in January 2009. United manager Roy Walker spent £5,000 to bring the teenage full-back from Ballyclare Comrades to the Showgrounds and within a few games in Sky Blue it looked a very good investment. Michael, who is half-Canadian, began his career under the watchful eye of his father at Greenisland Boys Club before moving to Ballyclare Comrades in the summer of 2007, where he won the Second Division Championship in his first season.

He also gained international recognition after he was capped by the Northern Ireland Under-18 Schools team last season. He made his United debut against Dungannon Swifts in January. Having already cemented his place in the United first team at such a young age, big things are expected from the University of Ulster student for this coming season. [view full profile]