Place of birth Hackney, England 1978–1979 Orient Playing position Name John Smeulders | 1972–1978 Orient Role Football player Years Team Position Goalkeeper | |
 | ||
Date of birth (1957-03-28) 28 March 1957 (age 58) | ||
John Smeulders (born 28 March 1957) is an English retired professional football goalkeeper, best remembered for his three spells in the Football League with Bournemouth. He also played league football for Torquay United, Brentford and Peterborough United.
Contents
Club career
A goalkeeper, Smeulders began his career as a youth with Orient. He was unable to displace the number 1 shirt from Ray Goddard and John Jackson and made just a handful of League Cup appearances before departing the Os in 1979. To revive his stalled career, Smeulders began the first of three spells with Bournemouth in 1979. After failing to break into the first team, Smeulders dropped into non-league football in January 1981 with Trowbridge Town, moving on to Weymouth and then back to Bournemouth in January 1984. This time he did establish himself in the first team, making 75 league appearances and setting a then-club record seven consecutive clean sheets, before moving to Torquay United in 1986. After failing to hold down a first team place and spending time away from Plainmoor on loan, Smeulders returned to Bournemouth for the third time in 1987. He again failed to hold down a regular place and dropped back into non-league football in 1989. Smeulders retired at age 38, due to a damaged knee.
Coaching career
Smeulders late returned to Bournemouth as a coach to goalkeepers Neil Moss and Ian Andrews.
International career
Smeulders won caps for England at youth level and played in the same team as Bryan Robson, Ray Wilkins, Glenn Hoddle and Peter Barnes.
Personal life
As of March 1996, Smeulders was working in a bakery in Bournemouth.