Some former Irish League stars have taken interesting steps in their post-playing career, and Andrew Smith is no exception.
The 43-year-old Lisburn man was this week confirmed as head coach of FC Haka. There’s more than a pinch of irony behind that hire.
Haka were the Finnish outfit dumped out of Europa Conference League qualifying by one of Smith’s old teams, Crusaders, and following his first foray into the top job with Slovakians Dubnica, it is the former Hatchetman’s service they will call upon as they bid to atone for a disappointing Veikkausliiga campaign.
In that two-legged tie, Ross Clarke and Jordan Forsythe hit the bullseye for Stephen Baxter’s men to grind out a 2-2 draw away from home before Paul Heatley raised Seaview’s roof with a sublime winner 17 minutes from time. It added further gloss to a summer when fellow Finns KuPS joined Haka as victims of a team from this island, themselves dealt a thrilling elimination by Derry City, and when Helsinki titans HJK were ran all the way by Gibson Cup holders Larne.
But despite their participation in Europe, Valkeakoski club Haka could only muster a ninth-place finish from 12 sides in the 2023 season.
Now, after the departure of boss Teemu Tainio after four years in charge was revealed – he’s joined Toni Koskela, who was sacked as HJK manager after a marginal 1-0 first-leg success over the Inver Reds in July, as part of the new coaching team at Cypriot side AEL Limassol – Haka have taken an alternative approach as they plot to restore their place on the continental scene next year.
In 2022, Smith took charge of Dubnica in the Slovakia second-tier but, after a return of three wins, a draw and four defeats, lasted just eight games in charge.
That brief stint is no indication that he couldn’t adapt to foreign shores, though, when one accounts for previous spells as an assistant at four clubs in Portugal and the all-conquering Bulgarian titans Ludogorets.
Smith’s adaptability will have played a part in determining how suitable he was for the cold chills of the bitter Finnish south, and that he got the job would tell you he passed that test with flying colours.
An 18-time senior-capped Northern Ireland international, Smith – who retired from playing in 2015 – had experience at a plethora of clubs in the Irish League.
In addition to the Crues, who were the last of those he represented in his homeland, the forward plied his trade for Glentoran, Glenavon, Ballymena United, Ballyclare Comrades, Carrick Rangers – where he lasted merely one day – and Portadown.
His stint at The Oval is perhaps most fondly remembered.
A domestic treble winner when he formed part of Roy Coyle’s dream team that won the Irish League, League Cup and County Antrim Shield in 2003, Smith’s sensational 22 strikes for the Glens in 31 league appearances that term earned him his first Northern Ireland cap against Italy in June of that year.
He remained in the international fold for the next two years, during which he moved for a six-figure sum to Preston North End – although it was to be a bit tumultuous before Ronnie McFall brought him back to the Irish League with the Ports in 2007.
Seeing out a sound end to his playing days, and having already enjoyed a brief time in Belgium with Union Royale Namur, it was a radical move to Portuguese regional side Moura AC that would shape Smith’s next step.
Learning under the tutelage of figures like Coyle, McFall and Baxter would have stood him in good stead.
From his trip to the Iberian Peninsula, he has been part of a diaspora abroad, joining the likes of ex-Liverpool sporting director Julian Ward, Union Saint-Gilloise sporting executive Chris O’Loughlin and Thomas Stewart, who is now managing Swedish side Ytterhogdals IK.
And for the coming year, no less than in the month when Northern Ireland travel to Finland in the final batch of Euro 2024 qualifiers, Smith is adding another string to his bow in the new year.
Fortune often favours the brave, and he’s shown that he’s not short of courage. An intriguing step, he’ll hope this bold opportunity, this bright new dawn, rewards him accordingly.
Featured image from FC Haka Social Media.
- It’s unfair to put blame at feet of Linfield and Cliftonville for Irish Cup Final crowd disorder
A penny for the thoughts of Linfield and Cliftonville this week. This year’s Irish Cup Final was a spectacular in every sense. Nearly 15,000 packed inside Windsor Park for the biggest-attended domestic fixture in Northern Ireland this century and an occasion to savour that, for the most part, featured backing from both sides that supported… Read more: It’s unfair to put blame at feet of Linfield and Cliftonville for Irish Cup Final crowd disorder - Irish League chiefs must improve provisions in place to attract younger fans and families
Let’s get a basic fact of life out of the way first – no one likes a price hike. No one likes a price hike in the same way that no one likes paying taxes, bills, debts, insurance and other such necessary expenses which, in themselves, are rising amid a general rise in the cost… Read more: Irish League chiefs must improve provisions in place to attract younger fans and families - How the Irish FA’s new ‘Conference Layer’ for intermediate football can be big hit or own goal
Changes to the intermediate football sphere in Northern Ireland have long been touted and, going by the Irish FA’s latest update on the topic, closer than ever to coming to fruition. From the 2026-27 campaign, a new ‘Conference Layer’ will be in effect as part of a radical shake-up of the intermediate levels of the… Read more: How the Irish FA’s new ‘Conference Layer’ for intermediate football can be big hit or own goal - Steven McCullough’s crucial goal in relegation play-off seals him as a Ballymena United great
There’s been a change in priorities for Ballymena United during recent years – albeit not necessarily the type supporters would’ve perhaps wanted. In 2019, the Braidmen were the second best team in the Irish League. Runners-up behind Linfield that year, and just seven points adrift of top spot, the peak years of David Jeffrey’s tenure… Read more: Steven McCullough’s crucial goal in relegation play-off seals him as a Ballymena United great - Ending Cliftonville’s Irish Cup drought proves Jim can fix it… now he must target league glory
Finally, it’s Cliftonville’s year in the Irish Cup. An agonising waiting game ends at last and a drought that lasted 45 painful years is over in one burst of champagne rain. Since 1979, the Reds have contrived to fail in various ways in their pursuit of that elusive ninth Irish Cup – until a man… Read more: Ending Cliftonville’s Irish Cup drought proves Jim can fix it… now he must target league glory
Football Chatters 
Leave a comment