Simon Smith works as the goalkeeper coach for England's development teams such as the U16s, U17s, U18s and U19s.
A renowned coach, he started his career with hometown club Newcastle United in 1993 where he initially worked with the club's young 'keepers before he became the Magpies' first team goalkeeper coach under the management of Ruud Gullit and Sir Bobby Robson, where he worked with the likes of Shay Given and Steve Harper.
After leaving St. James Park in 2004, Smith set up his own specialist goalkeeper coaching company and also began work with The FA and England's young goalkeepers.
In addition to that, Smith also undertook a year long secondment to research the biomechanics of goalkeeping in Vancouver and during this time, he worked as a consultant to the Canadian Soccer Association with the senior and U20 national team. He also worked in the MLS with Frank Yallop at the LA Galaxy.
Smith also plays a key role as a goalkeeping scout, identifying and reporting on current and possible England goalkeepers before training with them at specialist goalkeeper training camps.
As a player, Smith began his career with Newcastle United in 1978, spending four years there before moving on to Whitley Bay and then Gateshead, where he played 501 games over a ten-year period. He also signed as a non-contract player for Carlisle United, Sunderland and again Newcastle United.