Revenge Would Be Sweet

Last updated : 17 November 2017 By ed_ScottishFitba

C:WindowsTempphp60B8.tmpPlayers leaving a club have a habit of returning in a new strip and getting some sort of revenge on their old paymasters. 'Keeper Graeme Smith may not be bitter about being released by Peterhead six months ago but he would enjoy leaving on the wining side tomorrow. Smith is looking forward to meeting up with his ex-teammates and is big enough to admit that manager Jim McInally was right to release him. There were a number of players released when the Blue Toon’s were relegated to League Two at the end of last season. Smith, with five years under his belt with the club bowed out on a career low after Forfar claimed a 7-2 aggregate win in the play-off final.  While Peterhead ultimately dropped down aleague Smith did not after he agreed a deal with Raith Rovers, which meant a return to full-time football. The Rovers return to Balmoor on Saturday in the Scottish Cup third round, a tie Smith is relishing.

He said: "
I am looking forward to seeing a few old faces because I really enjoyed my time at Peterhead.  It was one of the happiest periods of my career. I was bitterly disappointed with how it finished but performance-wise I was not up to scratch and collectively we were very poor last season.  The manager decided it was time for a lot of players to move on and I fell into that category but I left on good terms.  The decision Jim made was probably, in fairness, the right one for the club because Peterhead don’t deserve to be in League Two in my eyes. They should be League One or better because they have so many fantastic people, who work hard behind the scenes."

An initial short-term contract turned into a long stay at Balmoor for Smith, who picekd up a European medal after being named on the bench for Rangers’ UEFA Cup final against Zenit St Petersburg in 2008. Smith joined Peterhead from St Mirren and went on to make more than 150 appearances. There were plenty of highlights along the way including a League Two title win in 2013/14 and a Challenge Cup final appearance in 2015/16.

Smith said: "
Jim and Davie Nicholls gave me an opportunity to play when I left St Mirren.  I had not played for a year through injuries and everything else but they gave me a chance.  Part-time initially took me a while to get used to, but to be back playing regularly at 3 o’clock on Saturdays was great.  That initial month contract turned into four and a half years with some brilliant occasions and memories. Ever since I walked through the door at Peterhead, I was made very welcome and I am proud to have been part of that bit of history the club created. Of course, I would have loved a chance to redeem myself after the play-off final at the end of last season. I’m sure other players, who left, would have wanted another crack at it as well, but the manager is paid to make the decisions and there is no bitterness whatsoever.  As I said, that was probably the right call for the sake of the club."

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