 |
Signing from Rangers on a free transfer, Buzz gave sterling service to Motherwell over four years playing close to 150 games for the Steelmen.
As Gordon Marshall eased ever closer to retirement thoughts turned amongst the Motherwell support as to who would be a suitable replacement for the veteran 'keeper. Would it be Barry John Corr? Jamie Ewings perhaps? Would we be signing someone new?
In the summer of 2005 Terry Butcher answered all our questions by releasing the aforementioned duo and snapping up Graeme Smith from Rangers.
At that point all we knew of 'Buzz' was that he was the latest in a long line of reportedly promising youngsters who never got their chance with the Old Firm. The shot-stopper would soon set about changing that. With 'Marsh' on the sidelines after being injured on the opening day against Celtic Graeme made his Motherwell debut in a 1-0 win over Dunfermline, helping himself to the first shut-out of his Dossers career in the process.
He kept his place the following weekend against Kilmarnock and only injury prevented him retaining the no. 1 spot for matches against Dundee Utd and Hamilton in the League Cup. By the time big Gordon returned to full-fitness a couple of months down the line, Buzz had made the position his own. So much so in fact that Marshall was allowed to move on to Hibernian to begin his coaching career.
Smith dealt with his first top flight campaign with a level of maturity and consistency that would put many more experienced keepers to shame. Quite simply he was outstanding and mistakes between the posts were few and far between.
Memorable moments in that first season included some spectacular saves against St Mirren in the League Cup, Dunfermline at East End Park and terrific stop from a Riordan free-kick at Easter Road. Throw in his penalty save against Aberdeen in the League Cup Quarter Final against Aberdeen and it's easy to see why Smith quickly became so popular with the 'Well support.
It seemed inexplicable that Rangers had failed to give Smith a proper opportunity but their loss definitely appeared to be Motherwell's gain. Having proved himself a stand-out at Fir Park, Scotland manager Walter Smith selected Graeme for the full international squad at the end of the 05'06 season and he travelled to Japan as back-up to Neil Alexander for the Kirin Cup tournament.
Even before his first full season was concluded Graeme had impressed so much that he was offered and signed an extension to his contract in April 2006 tieing him to the club until the summer of 2009.
Suddenly from nowhere Graeme appeared to suffer from a serious bout of of 'Second Season Syndrome'.
For just about the first time in his 'Well career we saw some real shaky form in the early part of the 2006'07 season with suspect in matches against Aberdeen and Inverness in the league and against Partick Thistle in the League Cup.
Smith found himself relieved of first-team duties and had to wait some 3 months before returning to the first team. As a consequence his lack of first team action saw him drift out of the full Scotland squad and therafter the B international squad.
Buzz's return to the 'Well side coincided with perhaps the club's best spell of the 06'07 season as they pushed clear of the foot of the foot of the table and into the Quarter Finals of the Scottish Cup.
Unfortunately both player and club form dipped again towards the end of the campaign and after a disastrous run of results Graeme once again found himself benched for the final games of the season, albeit coming on as a replacement for the injured Meldrum against Dundee Utd.
The arrival of Mark McGhee has seen Buzz re-instated as the club's number one and as part of a settled rearguard Smith has played his part in helping 'Well secure third place and a UEFA Cup spot.
The 2007'08 season also saw Buzz return to the Scotland international set-up for the B international against the Republic of Ireland at nearby Airdrie in November 2007, where he produced a first class display earning the Man of the Match award from many within the watching media. The lift his inclusion in the B squad gave Graeme could not be understated coming in the middle of a run that saw the 'keeper register four clean sheets in five SPL matches.
The former Rangers man added a further 5 shut-outs to his tally in the New Year, including clean-sheets in key victories over Hibernian and Celtic and late on in the campaign passed the 100 appearance mark for the club.
The 2008'09 campaign saw Smith remain unopposed as 'Well's number one playing in every match of the season, with the exception of the final day defeat to Kilmarnock.
Keeping 10 clean sheets throughout the campaign one of his season highlights came in Motherwell's UEFA Cup tie in France against Nancy where his second half penalty save ensured the Steelmen returned to Scotland with the tie still alive.
Buzz was also voted as having made the save of the season in 'Well's 2-1 win over Dundee Utd in March by league sponsors Clydesdale Bank.
One of several players out of contract at the close of the season Graeme chose to continue his career with in England with League One side Brighton, with whom he signed a two year deal.
|
D.O.B:
08/06/1983
Born:
Glasgow
Height:
6' 2'
Weight:
13st 4Ibs
Signed From:
Rangers
Sold To:
Brighton & Hove Albion
Position:
Goalkeeper
International Caps:
 0
International Goals:
0
2008/09 Squad No:
1
|