All Whites defender Tommy Smith has notched up his 500th career appearance with a 1-0 win that has eased relegation pressure on his Colchester United side.
The 32-year-old’s milestone was recognised by his English club as the Colchester skipper led his team to their New Year’s Day win against Swindon Town in the English League Two competition.
The match was his 90th for Colchester, and his 500th competitive appearance for club or country.
Main photo: Tommy Smith at Auckland’s Eden Park when making his 49th full appearance for New Zealand against Australia in September. Photo: Shane Wenzlick / Phototek.
In a tweet, Smith said: “Thank you to everyone who has made this journey possible.
“The sacrifices and support that the people closest to me have made to help me get to where I am will never go unnoticed and will always be appreciated.”
Smith’s 500 game tally does not include youth fixtures with Auckland’s North Shore United, or youth matches for Crewe Alexandra or Ipswich Town.
Smith’s club record
Ipswich Town: 267
Stevenage Borough: 15
Colorado Rapids: 64
Brentford: 8
Colchester United: 90
Club total: 444
Smith’s international record
England U-17: 1
England U-18: 3
NZ U-23: 3
New Zealand: 49
International total: 56
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