We didn’t have to look too far from home with this June 2022 transfer; Kane Smith signing from fellow Hertfordshire side Boreham Wood. He’d been hanging out in the south of the county for five seasons before we came calling. And we’d like to think it was some sharp business on our part; the Wood having been going well in the National League and unlucky to miss out on promotion more than once. Going into the 2022-3 campaign, however, they’d be left needing to replace this lad. That’s because he became the latest member of boss Steve Evans‘ new-look Boro’ side.
A right-back by trade, Smith could also do a job on the right hand side of midfield. And in his time with us, the player did show abundant drive and quality; helping us to a famous FA Cup win over Aston Villa and promotion to League One. Alas, he didn’t quite get the opportunities to shine. One reason was the enduring form of Luther James-Wildin, while injury did rear its ugly head. Smith was released in summer 2025 at the end of his deal; an unfortunate decision, but nothing out of the ordinary in football these days. There was certainly much to give a new team on Smith’s part.
Kane Smith: Before Boro’
Ahead of the Wood’s FA Cup encounter with Everton, Smith revealed that – as a lifelong Toffees fan – his idol was Tony Hibbert. Not many people would say that. But Smith does; telling the Evening Standard: “As I got older and became a right-back, I just loved Tony Hibbert. I always wanted an Everton shirt as a kid and I got one, I had Cahill, but I always wanted Hibbert on the back. My old man would never buy me one.”
In his career and channelling his inner Hibbert, the right-sided player counts Biggleswade Town and Hitchin Town as his former clubs.
