Matt Smith wins October Player of the Month award

Salford City’s Matt Smith has won the EFL League Two Player of the Month award for October.

The 34-year-old has scored eight goals in six games during the month, helping the Ammies to claim 11 points out of a possible 18.

His form has seen Salford surge up the table, now sitting five points behind the play-off places, a far cry from when they were at the wrong end of the League Two table.

Smudge, as he is affectionately known, beat Wrexham midfielder Elliot Lee, Stockport striker Isaac Olaofe and Accrington Stanley’s Joe Pritchard to the coveted award.

Upon winning the award, the striker said: “I’m delighted to have picked up the award for October Player of the Month. I certainly couldn’t have done it without my team mates, the award is more of a testament to the way we have all performed as a collective.

“We picked up some really good results during October and hopefully we can continue that into November.”

Excellent build-up on display for all 3⃣ of @mattjpsmith's goals 👏👏👏#DNRSAL || @loveholidays

— Salford City FC (@SalfordCityFC) October 25, 2023

Smith’s twelve goals this campaign puts him just one goal behind his season best record, which he reached during his time at Millwall during the 2019/20 season

He also leads the scoring charts in all of England’s professional divisions, sitting ahead of Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland and the aforementioned Olaofe.

Salford City boss Neil Wood was delighted with Smith’s efforts. He added: “We are all really pleased for Smudge to win the Player of the Month after a brilliant haul in October. Like he has said he can only take those chances when they’re provided so it’s something that the whole team can take pride in too.”

The Birmingham-born midfielder arrived at Moor Lane in January 2022 on a free transfer from Millwall. He has racked up 32 goals from 88 appearances in Salford colours.