One of the most feared strikers of the modern day football, Kelly Wayne Smith was born on 29th October 1978 in Watford, England.

Her footballing debut happened in 1995-96 season when she signed for Wembley Ladies. During this season she spent a lot of time honing her skills playing on the boy’s team. Her career took a jump start after signing the contract with the football giants, “Arsenal Ladies” for 1996-97 season. While playing for the Premier League title against Liverpool, she scored two goals and assisted for the third goal to ensure the Premier League Title. However, her stay with the Arsenal Ladies was short as she moved from West Herts College to the Seton Hall University in the United States. Before she could move to the United States, she had already played for England at the age of 17 on 1st November 1995. Her maiden game was against Italy, however, her first international goal was in her second appearance against Croatia, where England won the match 5-0.

While at University, she played for Setan Hall Pirates. She proved her dominance here as well as she was the leading goal scorer not only in the Big East Conference but also in the whole of NCAA Division I. She played for the Setan Hall Pirates from 1997 through 1999 and was Big East Offensive player for both the years. She was the only athlete whose number was retired when she completed her studies at the University. Before this only the Basketball player’s numbers were retired. Kelly preferred to stay back in the United States on completion of her studies as she felt, Ladies football in England was no great shake.

New Jersey Lady Stallions was Kelly first professional club in the United States from 1999 through 2000. In anticipation of start of a better league she stayed back in United States. Unfortunately, she was unable to play a major part of the2002 and 2003 season because of knee injury. In 2003, WUSA had to close its operations. She continued with the New Jersey Wildcats in the W-League. but soon moved to England as she was constantly haunted by injuries.
Kelly went through a bout of depression and had taken up drinking as well. Even though she came back to England in 2004; she couldn’t start with Arsenal before 2005. Injuries just kept chasing her.  This time it was stress fracture around her foot. Kelly came back with a bang towards the end of the 2004-05 season. However, things took U turn towards the end of the 2004-05 season. A goal from 30 meters against Charlton Athletic LFC helped Arsenal clinch the 2004-05 Premier League title. Her performances during the next two seasons won her the FA Women’s player of the year in both 2006 and 2007.

By the time the New Women’s League flagged off, Kelly was already a hot commodity among all the clubs in the United States. She was picked up by Boston Breakers even before Marta. To April Heinrichs former head coach of the United States, Kelly would have been the obvious choice to play for United States if she qualifies.

To Vera Pauw, the Dutch coach, Kelly is the best player of the World when she scored a hat-trick against Netherlands in 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
She has been part of the English team during the 2001, 2005 and 2009 UEFA Women’s Championships and 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup. She played in 2007 China Cup, where she was adjudged player of the tournament.

Achievement:

FIFA Women’s player for the year
2009: Third
2008: Fifth
2007: Fourth
2006: Fifth
China Cup 2007: Player of the Tournament
2008: Was appointed member of the Order of the British Empire.