Former Hartpury University BUCs captain, Matt Smith, joined David Beckham backed Salford City as assistant manager in June.
Smith joined the League Two side as part of new manager, Peter Cklamovski’s second hand man, following his departure from the Malaysia national team.
The Australian was the assistant to Cklamovski during their one-year tenure of the Malaysian squad.
Salford have some famous Manchester United names linked to club with Gary Neville, Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs and Beckham all co-owning the Manchester based side.
Salford came close to promotion to League One during the 2025/26 season but came up short in the League Two play-off final when they were defeated 3-0 by Notts County.
But date back to 2007 and Smith had jumped over from Australia to study at Hartpury and enter the English footballing world.
Smith studied our MSc Sports Management degree whilst also captaining our BUSA (now known as BUCs) squad.
During his time as captain, Smith guided us to our first ever BUSA Championship, edging him and his teammates names into Hartpury history.
Whilst over in the United Kingdom, Smith also fielded for local sides Cirencester Town and Gloucester City before flying back Down Under to build his career at home.
The defender climbed up the Australian football system to earn a chance at A-League side, Brisbane Roar in 2010.
Smith went on to captain the Roar whilst under the management of now former Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest manager, Ange Postecoglou.
Watch Smith on TalkSport in 2023, speak about Ange Postecoglou - Smith on Ange 2023
During this time, Smith lifted two A-League titles with Ange and even recorded an unbeaten season.
Smith was rewarded with his debut for the Australia National team in 2013, the same season he was named in the PFA Team of the Year.
Smith retired in 2022 and dipped his toes into management earning his first managers job at Thailand based side, BG Pathum that same year.
A year later, Smith returned to Australia to become assistant manager at MacArthur FC before later becoming second fiddle to Cklamovski in Malaysia during 2025.
Everyone at Hartpury wishes Matt the best of luck in his new role at Salford City!
