Chris Millington, the manager of FC Halifax Town, has praised the club’s new signing, defender Will Smith, as a “modern-day centre-half.” The 25-year-old former Harrogate, Scunthorpe, and York centre-back has inked a two-year contract with Halifax, and Millington is delighted with the addition.
“He can play left or right, he’s got experience of playing left and he’s very good on the right, so he’s definitely a very good addition,” said Millington. “He has good experience for his age and shows maturity in his play and professionalism.”
Millington highlighted Smith’s early impact at Harrogate, noting that his progress was hampered by injuries. “Since his introduction at Harrogate a few years ago, he burst onto the scene in a really positive way but has just had the setback of injuries, that’s what’s held him back. But he’s a very good player and had he not had the bad luck with injuries, we wouldn’t be in the market for him.”
Smith, who spent five years at Harrogate and had loan spells at Scunthorpe and York, was released at the end of last season. Millington believes Smith has the potential to improve further. “I think there’s more to come from him in terms of performance, for sure, I think he’ll get better.”
He also expressed confidence in the club’s medical team, particularly Aaron Scholes, in helping Smith reach his full potential. “We’ve proved with a number of players, and where Max Wright is the real success story, with the medical team, and Aaron Scholes in particular, has built a fantastic training programme and has advised us really well on how to use him. With that kind of knowledge and skill behind-the-scenes, we feel we’re in the best place to get the absolute best out of Will Smith as well.”
When asked to compare Smith to any other Town centre-halves, Millington said, “I’d say he’s akin to an Adam Senior, a really solid all-round defender, decent in the air, good on the ball. An all-round, modern-day centre-half.”
