Smith proclaims: This club means everything to me
The Covid-19 shutdown hit all footballers hard, but for Lewis Smith it was especially tough.
Hamilton Accies’ 20-year-old midfielder had his career and those of his friends in the game to worry about.
With speculation raging many teams would go to the wall because of the fan ban, he also had concerns about the very future of Accies.
“We’ve been lucky. The club has been brilliant, and we all got paid on time,” said Smith.
“That was great because the club means everything to me. I’ve been supporting them since I could walk.
“My family are all big fans and are there every week, including my Granda, who is 85. They all had season tickets before I started playing. “So all my life, it’s been Accies.
“I have a memory – I think I was four years old – of a game against Forfar when we got promoted.
“It was fantastic because we all ran on to the pitch.
“My mum was raging because I was so young, and told my dad: ‘I can’t believe you took him on the pitch’.
“I grew up idolising guys like James McCarthy and James McArthur. They showed that if you worked hard enough, you could get a chance.
“That motivated me to be like them and become an Accies player.
“When I came into the first team, it was weird. My dad had been supporting the players I was then playing with.”
This afternoon will be different for Smith, very different. When he runs out at a fan-free Celtic Park, his family will be notable by their absence.
“It will be strange for them not being able to be at the game. Even when I wasn’t playing they would be there,” he said.
“I’m sure they’ll enjoy it on TV. “Supporting the Old Firm was never on the agenda for me growing up.
“My Granda didn’t quite force us to go to Accies because we were happy to. Everything fell into place.”
Smith’s choice gave him many happy memories, chief among them the 1-0 win at Celtic Park in October, 2014.
Accies’ victory, delivered by a goal from Ali Crawford, was their first at the ground since 1938, and extra special because it hoisted them top of the Premiership.
“I was at Celtic Park that day with my dad and brother. It is one of my favourites,” Smith admitted.
“My Granda couldn’t make that one. He is in his mid-80s, remember.
“So he doesn’t get to some games, but when he’s there, it’s brilliant for me to look up and see him.
“He still shouts at me, though, just like I’m any other player!”