Ex-Walsall defender Manny Smith forced to finish career
Former Walsall defender Manny Smith has been forced retire from football after failing to overcome a serious knee injury.
The 31-year-old – who came through the ranks at the Saddlers before going on to make 104 appearances for the club – has not played for more than a year.
He was in his second spell at National League outfit Wrexham when he twice suffered the injury during the 2018/19 campaign, making his final appearance for the Red Dragons in a 2-0 win over Eastleigh in December 2018.
“There is no need to be sorry or anything, it’s the start of a whole new chapter for me,” said Smith.
Talking about his time on the sidelines, he added: “I’ve not had the best 18 months with the injury, I had five operations in a five-month period, but after all of that I know I have made the right decision all round, for the club, my family and for myself.”
Smith first suffered the injury eight games into the 2018-19 campaign – in a 1-0 defeat at Solihull Moors when he landed awkwardly after rising for a header and would not be seen back on the pitch for four months.
He returned to play 90 minutes in a 2-0 win over Eastleigh in December, but a recurrence of the injury sidelined him again and he has been able to overcome it.
“I would like to thank the fans and everyone at Wrexham AFC for supporting me throughout my time at the club,” added Smith. “As with anything, it’s had its ups and downs, but luckily for me there’s been far more ups than downs.”
