Smith heaps praise on boss Still

The former York City and Swindon player returned to pre-season training still not completely over his horrific double leg break suffered against Barnet on Boxing Day.

He missed the first seven games, before going on to become an integral part of the side, making 40 appearances and winning a host of awards at the end of season presentation evening.

Smith said: “I worked really hard and a lot of people helped me, the physios and the fitness coaches, getting me back to full fitness quick.

“I wanted to repay the fans and the gaffer for putting faith in me as the gaffer could have easily gone and got someone else and said ‘I’m not sure if Smudger could be ready’.

“But he didn’t, he bided his time and although I wasn’t quite ready at the start of the season, he showed a lot of faith to put me back in and I’m very thankful to John Still for that.”

When the season was in full swing, Hatters found themselves missing out on a play-off place despite spending most of the campaign inside the top seven and .

Smith is hopeful they can use that painful experience in the future.

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