Paul Smith (footballer, born 1979)
A stalwart English goalkeeper who carved out a long career in the lower leagues before shaping the next generation between the posts.
Born 1979 (age 47)·English footballer·Birthday: December 17·Generation X
Biography
Paul Smith's story is one of lower-league resilience. The goalkeeper spent the bulk of his playing days as a reliable, consistent presence for clubs like Southampton, Nottingham Forest, and Southend United, amassing over 500 professional appearances. While he never became a Premier League regular, his durability and professionalism were his hallmarks. After hanging up his gloves, Smith seamlessly transitioned into coaching, focusing on the specialized craft he knew best. He now serves as the Head of Academy Goalkeeper Coaching at Colchester United, where he is tasked with identifying and mentoring young talents. His impact is measured not in top-flight clean sheets, but in the technical foundation and mindset he imparts to aspiring goalkeepers climbing the ranks.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Paul was born in 1979, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Paul Was Born
The biggest hits of 1979
#1 Movie
Kramer vs. Kramer
Best Picture
Kramer vs. Kramer
#1 TV Show
Laverne & Shirley
Paul's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1979Born
Iran hostage crisis begins; Three Mile Island accident
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $37,900Min wage: $2.90/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"My Sharona" — The KnackBest Picture: Kramer vs. Kramer
1984Started school
Apple Macintosh introduced
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $59,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"When Doves Cry" — PrinceBest Picture: Amadeus
1992Became a teenager
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
1995Could drive
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1997Could vote
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2000Turned 21
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2009Turned 30
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2019Turned 40
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 47 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Made over 500 senior appearances as a professional goalkeeper across a 17-year career.
- Played a key role in Nottingham Forest's 2007-08 promotion campaign from League One to the Championship.
- Appointed Head of Academy Goalkeeper Coaching at Colchester United, guiding the development of young prospects.
Did You Know?
He kept a clean sheet in his Premier League debut for Southampton against Middlesbrough in 2005.
He played in an FA Cup semi-final for Southampton in 2003.
He had a brief loan spell with Icelandic club Þróttur Reykjavík early in his career.
“You have to earn the right to play every single week, no matter how many games you've got.”
