From Billericay to Brazil, the CMS story

Craig Mackail Smith is proof that in football, those who wait get what they deserve. Mackail Smith started his career at St Albans City in 2000, making his debut in a 0-0 draw at home to Billericay Town in the Ryman Premier Division, in front of a very minimal crowd I should think. Just over 10 years on CMS faces the prospect of lining up for Scotland at the Emirates Stadium against one of the best sides in the world, Brazil. Just over 10 years ago who in their wildest dreams, especially Craig himself would have thought that ?



St Albans FC



As I previously mentioned, Mackail Smith came on as a substitute for Danny Davis in a 0-0 draw against Billericay Town at Clarence Park, the match report from the day described it as "a glimpse of the future" and boy were they right? Craig went on to make another 9 appearances for St Albans that season, failing to score in each. The following season, he scored his first ever goal against Hertford Town in the Hertfordshire Senior Cup, a 2-0 win for the Saints in front of 110 people. At this stage of his career he could never have thought about international football, progressing up the non league ladder was his task right now. Another goal followed that season, once again in a small competition, the Billy Minter trophy against Croydon, without a goal to his name yet in the league, the following season was crucial. The 2002/2003 was a very dry one, with only one goal coming towards the later stages against Hampton & Richmond Borough with a 210 attendance, despite the goals not coming, he was still a promising player that was growing and had the potential to go on to bigger and better things. This was his last season with City, after they released him from the club, where would things go from here ?



Craig For Dagenham



Well they went in the direction of Arlesley Town of the Ryman League Division One North. In his season there he built somewhat of a decent reputation for himself, scoring 17 goals in 54 games. This included a great brace in the terrific FA Trophy 4th round replay victory over Dagenham & Redbridge, unfortunately after a look around I can't find any more information on that season. His great form ironically earned him a move to the team that he had scored against in the FA Trophy the previous season. John Still, the new manager of Dagenham & Redbridge had cast his net looking to reassemble a new younger looking squad following the Garry Hill reign. One of three notable new faces was Craig Mackail Smith, a big step up from the Ryman League Division One North, but John Still wouldn't have signed him if he didn't think he was capable. His first Daggers goal came in the 1-0 friendly win against AFC Wimbledon, a great start to his Dagenham career that was only going to get better. Mackail Smith scored one of his first Daggers league goals in a 3-1 win against Burton Albion, for the large part of the first part of that season he was a substitute until he scored when he started against Halifax Town. Another brace against Hereford United cemented his place in the first team as a starter with another 8 goals coming as Dagenham finished in 11th place.

His continuous work ethic and desire had been praised before but he was really beginning to get his rewards, the next season he was to be just as prolific as the last. The opening day provided a brace against Southport which was followed with goals in dribs and drabs, his season total concluding to a very respectable 11. The season after was to be the one that launched his career somewhat, with goals from all angles earning respect and praise from everyone. He made 27 appearances for the Daggers, forming a valuable partnership with Paul Benson where he scored an impressive 15 goals before making a dream move to a football league club. On the 29th January he signed for League Two Peterborough United after being leading scorer in the conference. He made his football league debut on the 10/02/2007 in a 3-0 win over Wrexham at London Road. His first Posh goal came 2 weeks later in a 3-0 win against Bury at Gigg Lane and was followed by another against MK Dons a couple of weeks later. He was making a real impact on Darren Fergusons team, the £200,000 paid for him was seen to be well paying off. Another five goals followed as CMS established himself in the Peterborough first team. The next season saw Peterborough United gain promotion from League Two to League One with Craig netting another 12 along the way including one against former club Dagenham & Redbridge in a 3-2 win at Victoria Road, a win that was part of a 16 game unbeaten streak.



For Peterborough

 Craig and his League One new boys then pushed on in their new league and with his & their new found confidence gained another promotion, all the way up to the Championship. In this promotion winning season Mackail Smith scored another 23 goals, progressing more and more as the seasons go on. This included a hat trick live on Sky against Bristol Rovers in a sensational 5-4 victory, his reputation enhancing further and further more teams were beginning to take note of him. A regular in the team and scoring goals for fun, Craig was on the up and with promotion to the Championship he had a bigger stage to show it on. Craig scored on the last day of that season in a last day draw, they needed a good result to go up and courtesy of him and Dean Keates they did, finishing second behind Leicester City. Their season in the Championship didn't go particularly well, but once again Mackail Smith continued to shine along with George Boyd & Aaron Maclean despite Darren Ferguson being sacked and replaced by Mark Cooper and then Jim Gannon taking charge before finally Gary Johnson stepped into the hotseat. He netted a double in the final day victory against Plymouth Argyle, but both teams ultimately went down, Peterborough finishing bottom.

League One Player Of The Year

Then came a return to a league he was more familiar with, League One and so far this season he has been simply sensational. Goals Goals Goals is the only way to describe it. With 22 already to his name in the league and just over a month or so left, he should break the 30 goals barrier in the league. His sensational form has seen Peterborough score 86 goals as they lie 4th in the table with every chance of automatic promotion. The forward has scored the most goals in all of the leagues in England so far this season and has the best goals to games ratio. The other day he won the prestigious League One player of the year award, an award which is fully justified and that he deserves, not only does he score goals but his tireless work ethic and determination earns him praise from the terraces of home and opposition fans. I don't think anyone could disagree that he is a deserved winner of it. To top off a sensational week came a call up to the Scotland squad to play Brazil at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday. This much have been the best week in the world for Craig, he's finally gotten everything he deserves.

To finish this off it is a sheer testament to his professionalism that he his even playing tonight for Posh against Bristol Rovers before linking up with Scotland tomorrow, what a player. I follow him on twitter and he's constantly praising fans and he will fully deserve his move this season regardless of whether Peterborough go up as well. Just think, from playing in front of 110 people at Clarence Park to 60,000 at the Emirates. This man is a true professional, who worked his way up through grit, determination and desire, this is exactly what football needs in times of over paid stars with outlandish behaviour. At only 27 years old he's still got a big career ahead of him, let's hope that it ends up playing in the Premier League one day.

Good Luck Craig !