Jeff Smith signs for Carlisle Utd

Vale winger Jeff Smith has today joined Carlisle United for £60,000 on a 2-and-a-half-year contract.

Smith would have been out of contract come May, and although Vale offered an improved deal the winger was offered better by Carlisle.

The news comes completely out of the blue as there had been no indication that anyone was chasing the player. Smith was having his best season at Vale, and there has been no suggestion that he was unhappy at the club.

Smith joined Vale in 2004, and made over 100 appearances for us. This season he scored the penalty that took us into the fourth round of the league club for the first time.


Although the news comes as a complete surprise I personally don’t think its a bad bit of business. I’m not a great fan of the player. Smith is an inconsistent performer who struggles to beat players, however, it does beg the question: Do we have anyone lined up as a replacement? Foyle has said he hopes to add a new signing before the end of the transfer window, but has given no indication of where he was looking to strengthen the squad.


Elsewhere, young midfielder Christian Smith has gone out on a months loan to Cambridge United. Foyle is hoping that some first team football may sharpen up the player who has just one substitute appearance to his name this season.