Alan Martin Smith (born 21 November 1962) is an English former professional footballer who played as a striker.

[5] He has been writing for The Daily Telegraph and Evening Standard, and is a co-commentator, and football pundit for Sky Sports.

[6][7][8][9][10] Smith started his career at non-league Alvechurch in north-east Worcestershire, where he could combine football, with studying for a degree in modern languages, his subjects being French, German and Spanish, at Coventry Polytechnic.

He was an unused substitute in the League Cup triumph 1993 against Sheffield Wednesday after scoring twice in the 3-1 semi-final first leg at Crystal Palace.

Several clubs, including Watford, had expressed an interest in signing Smith just before he announced an end to his playing days in July 1995.

Steve Bull, then of Second Division side Wolverhampton Wanderers, was selected by Sir Bobby Robson for 1990 FIFA World Cup.

[26] When Graham Taylor took over, Smith returned to the national team and his first goal came in a Friendly match against Soviet Union at Wembley 21 May 1991.

[28] Smith is currently a regular co-commentator and sometime studio pundit for Sky Sports for the Premier League coverage.

On 30 June 2011, EA Sports announced that Smith would replace Andy Gray as Martin Tyler's partner in commentating in FIFA 12.

"[29] Tall and slim, Alan Smith was well known for his headers,[30] but during his career he demonstrated all round skills, including a deft first touch and the ability to chest the ball down or head it on for teammates to run onto.