Smith torn between club he loves and first team football

TOWERING defender Jonathan Smith cannot decide whether to let his heart rule his head.

The 28-year-old has been targeted by at least three Conference North clubs after failing to secure a regular first team place at Accrington Stanley.

After five years with the Reds, Smith admitted he is loathe to leave the Interlink Express Stadium.

But he said knowing that he was unlikely to feature in manager John Coleman's plans on a regular basis may force his hand.

"I'm in a dilemma," said Smith, who has been the subject of cash bids from Harrogate Town, Barrow and Stalybridge.

"John has said he would love to keep me at the club because he feels I could play in quite a few games. But I wouldn't be first choice every week and Steve Halford has still to come back from injury.

"So he has told me the decision is up to me and has allowed me to have talks with clubs about a possible move.

"I would love to stay at Accrington Stanley because I've been there a long time and love the club.

"My heart says stay but my head says something else because I've only got until the end of the season at Accrington.

"It would be a bitter pill to swallow if I left but there are that many players looking for contracts at the end of the season that I don't know if I can risk waiting.

"But I don't want to rush into a decision."

Smith received rave reviews when he was loaned out to Barrow at the start of the season, shortly after signing professional terms with Stanley.

The centre half was initially disappointed, but the temporary move gave him a new lease of life, and he went on to captain Barrow. On his return to Stanley, he starred in the 5-0 win at Dagenham and Redbridge but was frustrated at being dropped to the bench for the following game.

However, while going full-time with the Reds has had its ups and downs for Smith, he revealed he had no regrets.

"I always dreamed of being a full-time footballer," he said.

"I got the opportunity but things didn't happen the way I hoped.

"In hindsight, it might not have been the right thing to do. But I'd have regretted it even more if I hadn't gone through with it."

Smith has been used to winning things in his five years with Stanley, including two promotions from the UniBond First and Premier divisions.

And he said that, if he was to move on, it wouldn't be just for the sake of first team football.

"I want to go to an ambitious club," he said.

"I don't want to go to a club that's happy to stay in mid-table.

"But it's nice to be wanted and there's no harm in talking to clubs to see what's on offer."