CROCKED JIMMY EXTENDS CRAWLEY STINT...
TYING long-term injury absentee Jimmy Smith to a new contract is a sign of just how highly Crawley rate him – and the midfielder wants to repay their faith as soon as he can.
The 31-year-old is set to miss the majority of his sixth season at the club with a knee injury.
But Smith hasn’t been left out in the cold as he faces a lengthy recovery – far from it, having been handed a coaching role in Gabriele Cioffi’s set-up and now a new deal.
He’s signed a one-year contract extension, including the option of a further year, keeping him at the club until at least the end of next season.
“I’m very pleased with my situation,” he said. “It’s not very nice being injured at the moment but the contract was being spoken about well before then.
“The manager and the chairman still wanted to get it done and I’m just pleased to get it signed now.
“I’ve been here a long time and the club means a lot to me and my family.
“I pride myself on working hard and I’m focussed on getting back out there and keeping doing well for the club.”
Smith stepped in for two games as caretaker manager alongside Filipe Morais after Harry Kewell’s move to Notts County in early September, helping to pull off a 1-0 win over league leaders Lincoln.
Crawley chief Cioffi can’t call on a midfielder who hit a double-figure goal tally for the first time in his career last season but he’s making the most of Smith’s experience in the dugout.
“It’s interesting. I’m learning a lot every day in my coaching role,” said Smith.