Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterDuring his 15-year playing stint, Alan Smith would enjoy a distinguished career that saw him win two league titles, represent his country and plunder more than 200 goals.He would play with some of the best forwards of his era, but one early strike partnership left a huge impression on him.When Smith arrived at Leicester City in 1982, he was paired with another promising young English striker in Gary Lineker, with the duo quickly learning how to bring the best out of each other.Play our FREE match predictor below and win �1kAlan Smith on his Gary Lineker partnershipSmith joined the Foxes as Lineker was establishing himself in the first team, but the former Alvechurch forward soon noticed something special in his new team-mate.Gary was great, but he didnt really like training, Smith tells FourFourTwo. He never even used to go out for the warm-ups. You may like The closest England striker compared to me, in terms of style? Id have to pick out Alan Shearer Sir Geoff Hurst compares himself to the Three Lions greats that succeeded him at later World Cups TV ace tells FourFourTwo about starting his career next to Brian Clough I am one of many players who will regret not winning something Gareth Barry looks back on an England career of frustration Wed all go out, but hed stand in a hot bath and do a few stretches, then he was ready. He just had this natural talent for scoring goals.Lineker was two years Smiths senior and the pair soon realised that their talents complemented each other.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.I was fortunate that my first partnership was with someone who naturally gelled with my style, he continues. We didnt have to work too hard at it.Gary was one of those who loved to hang on the last line of defence and use his speed to get onto the end of things, while I played with my back to goal, flicking it on or holding it up. Our respective styles naturally clicked.Smith and Linekers club partnership ended in 1985 when the latter moved on to Everton, but they would again cross paths when Smith was called up to various England squads at either side of the turn of the decade.And indeed, the pair would both make their final England appearances at Euro 92 against Sweden, when Smith controversially replaced his former club team-mate, who was just one goal shy of the Three Lions all-time scoring record.Graham Taylor and Gary didnt really see eye to eye, he recalls. During the match, I was sitting on the bench and Graham was having a go at Gary for not holding the ball up. Then I was told to warm up. We needed a goal, and I naturally thought I was going on to partner Gary. When his number went up, I was surprised.But youre just thinking about getting out there and doing your job for your country it was a big moment for me. Its only afterwards you think about the ramifications. I do think it was a strange substitution by Graham, given that we desperately needed a goal.TOPICSAlan SmithGary LinekerLeicester CityFirst DivisionJoe MewisSocial Links NavigationFor more than a decade, Joe Mewis has worked in football journalism as a reporter and editor. Mewis has had stints at Mirror Football and LeedsLive among others and worked at FourFourTwo throughout Euro 2024, reporting on the tournament. In addition to his journalist work, Mewis is also the author of four football history books that include times on Leeds United and the England national team. Now working as a digital marketing coordinator at Harrogate Town, too, Mewis counts some of his best career moments as being in the iconic Spygate press conference under Marcelo Bielsa and seeing his beloved Leeds lift the Championship trophy during lockdown.With contributions fromMark WhiteContent Editor
