Rob Smith Manager

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A manager with recent success at AFC Telford United, who was appointed manager of Hednesford on 27th September 2010

A local lad with years of experience both playing and managing in non-league football throughout the Midlands, Smith started his career in the semi-pro game with a spell at Stafford Rangers, playing mainly as a midfielder. He enjoyed spells in the Southern League with Tamworth and Halesowen Town, as well as a one-year spell at Gresley Rovers in 1998-1999

Joined Redditch United in the summer of 1999 as player-manager, overseeing a two year spell at the Valley Stadium in the Southern League. He left just before the end of the 2000-2001 season after a contractual dispute with the club, which saw him out of work until December 2001. He linked up with Midland Alliance outfit Willenhall Town in December 2001, bringing in old friend Larry Chambers as his assistant a little later on. It was to prove a master stroke, as the Smith and Chambers relationship was to spawn much success in the coming years

After two years of stabilising the Lockmen, Smith oversaw a great run from the team during the latter stages of the 2003-2004 season that saw them win the Midland Alliance and gain promotion to the UniBond League Division One for the first time in the club's history. An equally impressive debut season in their new league the following year saw Smith's men briefly threaten a second successive promotion, only for injuries to scupper their bid. There was also successful runs in the F.A. Cup and F.A. Trophy

2005-2006 started well for Willenhall, who had been switched to the Southern League West after the summer restructuring. Despite a high turnover of players, Smith and Chambers continued to get the best out of their players and small budget. This had not gone unnoticed by other clubs, and after firing Bernard McNally in February 2006, AFC Telford turned to Smith and Chambers as they looked to turn around their fortunes in the UniBond Premier League

The duo stabilised a struggling Bucks team in 2005-2006, and quickly built a formidable side ahead of the 2006-2007 season. Backed by a large crowd at the New Bucks Head and a large budget, Telford went head-to-head with Hednesford during the first half of the season as both sides made a superb start. The Christmas/New Year double header between the two sides was a memorable one, not least for the two attendances that added up to over 7,000. Telford edged the Keys Park game 1-0, which saw the Pitmen fall away from the reckoning

After finishing narrowly behind Burscough and long time leaders Witton Albion, Telford qualified for the play-offs, where they beat Marine in the semi final before breaking Witton's hearts in the final 3-1

Life in Conference North suited the Bucks, as they quickly adapted to the new level. Attendances were up, and with the largest crowds in the league Telford prospered. In 2007-2008, they again managed to qualify for the play-offs after finishing second behind champions Kettering Town. There was no second successive promotion however, as they were well beaten by eventual winners Barrow over two legs in the semi-final

2008-2009 saw the Bucks enjoy even more success, as Smith and Chambers led Telford to a number of notable achievements. Firstly, there was a third successive play-off finish, where they made it through to the final. However, Gateshead proved too strong for Smith's men with a late winner at the International Stadium

They were also successful in the F.A. Cup and F.A. Trophy, makign the first round proper in the Cup and going all the way to the semi-finals in the Trophy, where a strong York City side denied Telford a trip to Wembley with a 4-1 aggregate win

There was silverware for Smith to claim, however, as the Bucks beat Forest Green Rovers to win the Setanta Shield on penalties in April 2009. They also claimed the Shropshire Senior Cup, beating deadly rivals Shrewsbury Town on penalties 

With such a successful season to beat, Telford's 2009-2010 campaign could perhaps have been expected to have been an anti-climax. Smith's men failed to build on their success of 08-09, struggling to build any momentum at any point in the season. On 23rd April 2010, the duo left Telford, with Andy Sinton taking over in the summer

After Bernard McNally surprisingly left Hednesford in September 2010, it was perhaps apt that Smith and Chambers replaced the Northern Irishman, as they did in 2006 at Telford. Smith inherits a talented young side, and supporters will hope he can bring his recent success to Keys Park

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