South African striker Bally Smart, was offered a first year scholarship
with Norwich's academy in March 2005, due to commence at the beginning
of the 2005/6 season. He had impressed Ricky
Martin and David Williams with
good performances at Burnley in the F.A.Youth Cup and in the league
encounter against Charlton. He joinedAlvin
Quaye, Patrick Bexfield, Seb
Muddel, Chris Martin and Michael
Spillane as first year scholars.
Bally made his professional debut as an 86th minute substitute
in the 3-0 defeat at Burnley on 17th Aprl 2007. He was named FONCY's
Player of the Year for 2006/7 and was awarded his first professional
contract with Norwich on 11th May 2007. Ricky
Martin said Bally certainly catches the eye when
you see him play. He joined the academy at 14 and played first
in a central midfield position, but more lately as a central forward
or wide player. He has pace and directness and caught the manager's
eye in the reserve team. "
At the beginning of September 2007, Bally was loaned to Milton
Keynes Dons for three months. He made 11 appearances for them
during this period
Bally was one of nine players released by Norwich on 6th May
2008, much to the despair of many followers of the reserve and
youth teams. During 2007/8 he had not added to his one appearance
for The Canaries.
On the 16th July 2008, Bally signed a two year deal with Greek
Second Division side AO Kerkyra. Shortly beforehand, Smart made
his debut for the South Africa Under-20 team in the two legged
African Youth Championship qualifier against Reunion. Bally was
then called up to represent his nation at the Metropolitan Cosafa
Youth Championships which will be used as preparation for the
2009 African youth Championships.
Bally returned to England on 6th August 2010 signing for Charlton
on non-contract terms. He left after one appearance
In March 2011 Smart joined Latvian champions Skonto Riga. He
made his league debut against FB Gulbene-2005 on April 10th 2011.
He departed Skonto Riga in May 2012
He joined Lowestoft in August 2013 but international clearance
was not forthcoming and as of the beginning of October 2013, had
not been received leaving Bally in limbo.
In 2012, Smart established Polokwane United Academy in his South
African home town. The senior Academy team compete in the South
African Second Division (3rd tier).
LINK: Bally
Smart's entry on Wikipedia