Will Smith aiming to push Harrogate Town on towards another promotion after signing new deal

Harrogate Town defender Will Smith. Picture: Matt Kirkham

The highly-rated ex-Barnsley centre-half committed his future to the Wetherby Road outfit this week by signing a new long-term deal.

Smith, 22, has been one of the Sulphurites most consistent performers since joining in the summer of 2019, helping Simon Weaver's team to a Wembley triumph at the end of each campaign.

Following on from their promotion as National League play-off winners 12 months ago, Town finished their first-ever season as a Football League side 17th in League Two while also winning the FA Trophy.

Will Smith has put pen to paper on a new contract.

And having developed a taste for both silverware and success, Smith is eyeing more of both in the not-too-distant future.

“I’m very excited. It’s going to be another good few years," he said.

“I was buzzing when the gaffer approached me and said he wanted me to sign a new deal. I’m ready to accept the challenge and hopefully we can kick on again and go further.

“The next step is to push on and to get the club further and achieve more things. Maybe another promotion - whether that’s this year or in the next couple- we definitely want to kick on and show people how good we can be."

Smith arrived at the EnviroVent Stadium having captained Barnsley's Under-23s, but boasting very little senior football on his CV.

A brief loan spell at National League North Darlington was the extent of his experience in the men's game, though he quickly established himself as a mainstay of Weaver's defence and has gone onto make more than 80 appearances in Harrogate colours.

“I’ve learned a lot in the last two years," he added.

"When I first arrived I was only a young lad and now I’ve grown up a lot and become better as a player and matured.

“It’s been a great learning curve for me and to say I’m still 22-years-old, I’ve played a fair few games now and that’s only going to make me better.”