Tyler Smith has found himself a new club just a month after being released by Bradford City.
A step up to League One combined with new forward signings in Barnsley‘s Stephen Humphrys and Crawley Town‘s Will Swan this summer, led to Graham Alexander telling Smith and fellow attacker Adam Wilson to find new clubs this season. An agreement was reached with the former Hull City man to leave Valley Parade by mutual consent last month.
Dale Make Move
The 25-year-old has now found a new club and one relatively close to West Yorkshire, with National League promotion contenders Rochdale confirming they have signed Smith on a contract until the end of the season. This will be his second stint at Spotland, having played four times during a very brief spell while at Sheffield United.
The move to Greater Manchester also unites him with his younger brother Kyron Gordon, as well as assistant coach Jason Taylor, who he played under during the second half of last season at Barrow. Speaking to club media about the transfer, Smith said:
“As soon as I knew the interest was there, I was always open to coming back. I’ve been itching to get in and I’m glad it’s been sorted.
“I know a lot of the people already here, which is a positive. The lads have been flying so far this season, and I really want to be part of it.”
His debut could come as soon as tomorrow in a very important clash for National League promotion, with Rochdale making the long journey south to face league leaders Forest Green Rovers.
Writers’ View
Tyler Smith has finally found himself a new club, and it is hopefully an environment he can thrive in. A step up in division probably spelt the end of any chances of him breaking back into the Bradford City set-up, so a drop down into the National League with an ambitious side in Rochdale could be his way back into the EFL. He will already have familiarity at Spotland with his brother there and Jason Taylor in the coaching setup, but will now need to prove to boss Jim McNulty that he is worthy of replacing existing starters like Manny Dieseruvwe.
