Sports News
Durham College Students in Double Football Celebration
25th June 2009
College footballer Richard Smith is about to swap the Durham County League for the Ivy League after securing a place at Harvard University, whose famous alumni include: President Barack Obama and former presidents John F Kennedy and George W Bush.
Smith currently plays at centre-half for Durham Gilesgate Sixth Form Centre, who’ve also been celebrating left midfielder James Elis’ call up to England Schoolboys team.
As 18 year old Ellis prepares to face France at Wembley next month, Smith 20, is gearing up to begin life at one of the most prestigious sears of learning in the world.
Both players have bounced back after failing to secure professional terms at Sunderland AFC. Ellis played for the Black Cats up to under-11 level, while Smith revealed that being released by Sunderland as a 16-year-old was “the lowest moment of my life”.
Little did he know that when Sunderland Academy manager Ged McNamee told Smith his serviced were no longer required, it would open up the opportunity for him to follow in David Beckham’s footsteps and pursue a football career across the Atlantic.
“I’m a Sunderland fan and I was shattered when they let me go!, admitted Smith. “Kevin Ball was my coach at the Academy and he’d been contacted by a coach at Harvard asking if Sunderland had released any players with good football and academic backgrounds. I was the first player that Kevin recommended to them.”
After passing A levels in Chemistry, Physics and Maths at Durham Sixth Form Centre, Smith was courted by some of the finest universities in the United States including Massachusetts institute of Technology (MIT).
Boasting a sound academic background and rave reviews for his footballing prowess, Smtih also had opportunities to join Duke and Brown Universities before settling on Harvard as his home for the next four years.
“They were all amazing places but Harvard just has a really special ambience and history. But perhaps the most important thing was that when I played a training match with the Harvard team the other lads were similar to me in terms of their academic and sporting ability. It just felt right”.
Smith’s family have ensured his feet remain firmly on the ground. “My mam said: ‘if Harvard have accepted you they must let anyone in!’
“But I think she and my dad are very proud,” noted the former pupil of Framwellgate Moor School who revealed his football idols are Rio Ferdinand and John Terry.
“To be honest, there aren’t many defenders in the North-East teams I’d want to emulate,” he joked. “Although people say I look (Sunderland defender) Danny Collins and he’s not a bad player.”
Smith noted the difference in footballing cultures between the USA and UK.
“There is much more of an emphasis over there on gym work and improving players’ all round fitness rather than the technical coaching we concentrate on in England.
“It feels like a dream and until I’m actually over there I’m not sure I can believe that it’s happening to me”.
Smith’s team mate, Ellis last week returned from England Schoolboys’ tour of the United States where he played in Atlanta amid searing temperatures approaching 100 degrees.
“I’m looking forward to next month when I get my first chance to play at Wembley. Just to walk out there will be amazing,” confirmed Ellis from Belmont, Durham who’s played for Bishop Auckland Under 14s and Durham County before his appearances for Durham Sixth Form Centre earned him a trial with England Schoolboys.
He was part of the England side who last month were joint winners of the Centenary Shield and after leaving college he hopes to study sports science at Northumbria University.
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