Harry Smith was hoping to get a call from Mark Kennedy to make a return to Swindon Town this summer after his departure from Sutton United.

The 29-year-old netted 11 times in League Two last season but left Sutton after their relegation to the National League.

Smith said that he always wanted to have another chance at Swindon after a tough first stint in 2017 and was very keen once he heard Mark Kennedy had gotten the job.

 

 

He said: “I remember when I left, it was obviously a difficult spell for me here, but I always thought it is a big football club with great support and if I get the chance later on in my career I would love to go back.

“There has been a couple of opportunities over the last couple of years but it probably wasn’t right for one reason or another.

“Once I knew I was leaving Sutton, I had a couple of other opportunities but once Mark got the job, it was something that I thought if Swindon got in contact it would be something I want to do straight away.

“Luckily they did and once that happened I was fully focused on trying to get this one done.

“Mark came in as Sol [Campbell]’s assistant when I was at Macclesfield and from day one you saw how hands-on he is and the coaching he brought to the team and the lads said at the time ‘This could be big for us.’

“Unfortunately he didn’t stay long but I thought he was going to go on and have a managerial career and when he got the job here I wanted it to happen.”

Kennedy also spoke ahead of Walsall and said that the fan base at Swindon has been a big help in recruitment this summer, with Smith having been a prime example of a player who was desperate to join the club.

He said: “The size of the club here has been pretty evident attracting players, a lot of the players have been really pleased to play in front of these fans, Harry is a good example.

“When I spoke to Harry, he said ‘I was really hoping you would ring me’ and when I got the job here, Harry’s first thing was to say to his agent ‘I wonder if we can have a conversation with Mark.’

“That is a compliment to the club and not to me.”