Boro make Smart signing

Farnborough Football Club announces the signing of exciting 25-year-old winger Sam Smart.

Smart seals a move to the Saunders Transport Community Stadium off the back of promotion from The Vanarama National League North with Boston United last season.

From playing locally for Denmead at the start of his career, Sam soon bagged a move to Portsmouth where he turned out for their Community Development side.

The pacey winger had his first taste of senior football with Wessex League outfit Horndean in 2015/16, before he was then snapped up by Basingstoke Town – where he came up against Spencer Day’s Farnborough on numerous occasions.

Come the end of the 2017/18 season, Smart had 20 goals in 41 appearances to his name in The Southern League Premier South. This attracted the attention of former Manager Jason Bristow, who helped Sam sign for National League Eastleigh.

Across two seasons, he made 97 appearances for Eastleigh and found the net twice before his release at the end of the 2021/22 season.

He has experience in Non-League’s top flight with FC Halifax Town and Dagenham & Redbridge, before he spent time in The Vanarama National League North with Brackley Town, Buxton and Boston United.

Sam was a part of Boston United’s successful 2023/24 campaign; winning away at Alfreton Town (on penalties), Scunthorpe United (on penalties) and then Brackley Town in the Play-Off Final to secure promotion to The National League.

Sam explained the main reasons that attracted him to the Club:

“The Gaffer – he’s wanted me for a while now! Every time it’s sort of not happened and I’m happy to be here.

“I just want to get back to enjoying football and I feel like I can definitely do that here.”

“On the pitch, I like to get on the ball, be direct and make the fans excited. Off the pitch, I feel like I’m a good teammate and have a bit of a laugh.

Boro’s new recruit is targeting a big season in The Vanarama National League South: “Finish in the Play-Offs, if not, one better. I had a bit of a taste for it last season and I want to do that again this season.”

Farnborough Manager Spencer Day spoke of Sam’s signing:

“It’s been a long time coming….! I’ve long been an admirer of Sam who’s always been a thorn in my teams, so I’m delighted after many years trying to get him into a Boro shirt!

“Another exciting pacey player that can play in a multitude of positions and despite only being 25, has many years experience in the National Leagues.”

Sam has been allocated shirt number 19.