As a schoolboy Smith, now a Sky Sports commentator, seems to have been planning a career in television. “Of course, as a striker I also loved Georgie Best. When I played matches in the park I used to commentate and play at the same time and it was always ‘Oh, that’s a great goal by Georgie Best.’”  I can relate to that. In my garden cricket matches I was always Graham Gooch batting. Unfortunately, when I grew up and played as a bowler in professional cricket my batting was more like Graham Norton’s.  Smith was a decent all-round sportsman but, faced with a choice of secondary schools, he opted for King’s Norton Grammar, one that played football. “I played for the school and for a Sunday side and got selected for Birmingham County,” he says. “I wasn’t one who got offered schoolboy forms by a professional club.  “I was conscientious at school and went on to Coventry Poly to do a modern languages degree. I played for a decent non-League club Alvechurch but was spotted by a Leicester scout and offered a three-year contract.”  He had a lucky break when he joined. “As soon as Leicester manager Jock Wallace had signed me, he left to go back to Scotland. Gordon Milne took over, got rid of a number of Scottish players and gave me my chance on the opening day of the season.”  Inspired: Alan Smith in his Arsenal heyday  Smith struck up an immediate relationship with Gary Lineker. “We dovetailed really well. I preferred playing with my back to goal. He was a predator in front of goal.” This lucrative striking partnership lasted five years until Smith was finally poached by Arsenal.  “Gordon Milne helped me a lot. He had played under Bill Shankly at Liverpool and he taught me the rudiments of football. And other than that I have to thank my father. He wasn't an overbearing parent like some who shouted at their sons all the time. He got the balance right.”  Smith went on to win two League Championships with Arsenal as well as the FA Cup, the League Cup and UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup, scoring 163 goals in more than 400 appearances.  What inspires young sportsmen to reach great heights? It is usually a small and seemingly insignificant observation or brief encounter.  Grant’s Whisky is bringing together the personal tales of seven celebrated sports stars, finding out who stirred an interest in their sport and what stimulated their ambition.  These stories – featuring the likes of Colin Jackson, England cricketer Mike Gatting, Scottish rugby player Gavin Hastings and others, will run during June in The Daily Telegraph.  There is also a chance to have lunch with Gatting at Lord’s to hear his story in person. Enter the competition now »
Inspirational sports stories: former Arsenal striker Alan Smith looks back over his hugely successful career and reveals his childhood heroes