Shared Shirts: Tyler Smith

Currently out on loan at Sky Bet League Two side Barrow, we caught up with ex-Tiger Tyler Smith about his time in East Yorkshire and his short stint with the U’s.

Joining Hull City:

The striker headed into the 2021/22 campaign after a productive loan spell at Swindon Town, scoring 10 goals in 26 outings. In what was his fifth temporary spell of his career, Smith returned to his boyhood club of Sheffield United as the season began. Making his debut for the Blades in a EFL Cup first round victory over Carlisle United, the then-22-year-old would join the Tigers on 27 August 2021 for an undisclosed fee.

“I was at Sheffield United at the time and it was getting towards the back end of the transfer window. I didn’t really know what I was doing to be fair and I probably thought I would stay at Sheffield United and see what would happen. Then I got a phone call from Grant McCann,” said Smith.

“Obviously I had previously worked with Grant at Doncaster before, and he rang me. He said that he wanted me in and that he needed me in and that I was the type of player they were after and he asked me if I fancied it? I said ‘one hundred percent,’ and then in the space of a week and a half to two weeks, everything was wrapped up and Hull and Sheffield United sorted out what they needed to sort out and I was a Hull player, so I was delighted as it was a step up.”

Friendship with Regan Slater:

Exactly 19 days after that Everton test, the Tigers, who had just been taken over by Acun Ilıcalı, recruited a current player amongst the squad in the form of Regan Slater on a permanent deal. Former academy players at Sheffield United, Smith was delighted to be reunited with the current fans’ favourite.

“It is always nice to have a familiar face, especially Regan, because I came up with him all the way through since we were young. I used to pick him up before he could even drive!” joked Smith.

“We go way back me and Regan so it was good to have him alongside me, but also a big thanks to Grant McCann for giving me the opportunity to play for Hull and play in the Championship; I am grateful for that.”

Loan at Oxford United:

On the January deadline day, the now-26-year-old would leave the Tigers to join this evening’s opponents Oxford United on loan until the end of the season.

“At the time, Liam Rosenior didn’t actually want me to go, but he didn’t want to stand in my way if I did want to go. I thought at the time, I just wanted a bit more regular football so I decided to go to Oxford,” revealed Smith.

“To be fair, it didn’t work out the way I wanted it to minutes wise and games wise, but at the time, I thought it was the right decision. Looking back, it wasn’t. I should have stayed at Hull, but it is what it is. You have to take chances at times and what you think is right at the time to go with it, but it was another learning curve and something that has made me stronger.”