Smith debuted for the England National Team on 1 November 1995, three days after turning 17. The 1-1 draw against Italy was played at Roker Park and Smith won Player of the Match from her position on the left-wing.
Her first international goal came on the occasion of her second cap, against Croatia on 19 November 1995. Smith scored an injury-time penalty in England's 5-0 win at the Valley.
When healthy, she is generally considered to be one of the world's top female players; former United States head coach April Heinrichs asserted that Smith would be an automatic choice for the United States Women's National Team if she had been eligible, and Vera Pauw, the Dutch coach, called Kelly "the best player in the World" after she scored a hat-trick against the Netherlands in a 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup qualifier in 2006.
She has competed in the 2001, 2005, and 2009 editions of the UEFA Women's Championship, as well as the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup with England. She also played in the 2007 China Cup against the United States, Germany and China where she was named the player of the tournament.
Smith was voted third in the 2009 FIFA Women's World Player of the Year, fourth in 2007 and fifth in 2006 and 2008.
Personal information
Full name : Kelly Jayne Smith
Date of birth : 29 October 1978 (1978-10-29) (age 32)
Place of birth : Watford, England
Height : 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
Playing position : Forward
