Wrexham's remarkable ascent up the Championship table is being powered by a striker whose football journey began alongside some of England's biggest names. Sam Smith, a former Manchester United academy prospect, has stepped into the spotlight to lead the Hollywood-owned club's push for an unprecedented fourth consecutive promotion.
Seizing the Moment After Moore's Injury
The 27-year-old forward's opportunity arrived following a cruel blow to the team's leading scorer, Kieffer Moore. Moore sustained a hamstring injury in the final match of 2025 against Preston North End, forcing manager Phil Parkinson to reshuffle his attack.
Smith grasped his chance with both hands. Thrust into the starting lineup, he delivered crucial performances and goals in consecutive victories over Blackburn Rovers and Derby County. This contribution was instrumental in extending Wrexham's winning streak to four matches, propelling them into ninth place and to within a single point of the play-off positions.
Parkinson's Praise for the Professional
Manager Phil Parkinson has been effusive in his praise for Smith's impact, highlighting far more than just his goal-scoring. Speaking to The Leader newspaper, Parkinson commended the striker's all-around game and elite mentality.
"When you need players to step in and pick up the baton, Sam's done that so well," Parkinson stated. "Forget the goals, his all-around displays have been really good." He specifically noted Smith's work rate, hold-up play, and defensive contributions from set-pieces, which were vital in Wrexham's 3-4-3 system.
Parkinson attributed this readiness to Smith's unwavering professionalism. "It is an absolute credit to his professionalism because he trains so hard every day," the manager added. "His detail of how he prepares himself for games is elite. He's a great character to have in the group and he's a good player."
A Journey Forged in Adversity at Old Trafford
Smith's path to this pivotal moment has been anything but straightforward. As a teenager, he was part of a stellar generation at Manchester United's academy, sharing training pitches with the likes of Marcus Rashford, Scott McTominay, Dean Henderson, and Axel Tuanzebe.
However, his dream at Old Trafford ended abruptly. When Rashford was converted into a central striker, Smith found himself squeezed out and was released at the age of 16. Reflecting in 2022, Smith described the mental challenge and the pivotal role his family played in keeping his career alive.
"Luckily for me I've got a really good family and they kept me going," he said. "Mentally it was difficult, but I think it can also build you up mentally and it builds your character."
After leaving United, Smith rebuilt his career at Reading, signing his first professional deal in 2017. Loan spells and a productive period at Cambridge United, where he scored 35 goals, followed before a return to Reading. His form there convinced Wrexham to break their transfer record, signing him for around £2 million in January 2025.
He immediately justified the investment, scoring seven goals in 18 League One games last season—including a decisive brace against Charlton Athletic—to help secure promotion. Now, having waited patiently for his chance in the Championship, Sam Smith is proving he belongs on this stage, driving Wrexham's Premier League dream ever closer to reality.
