From Folkestone Invicta to the Championship: From Ryman South champions to League One Play-Off winners in the space of 12 months – surreal, says Millwall striker Harry Smith

HARRY SMITH reflects on a surreal last 12 months of his life.

The former Folkestone Invicta striker helped Neil Cugley’s side win the Ryman League Division One South title when he scored the club’s final goal in their 6-0 win over Walton & Hersham that sealed the title on Good Friday, 25 March 2016.


GOING UP: Millwall striker Harry
Smith will be playing in the Sky
Bet Championship next season
after playing for non-league sides
Sevenoaks Town, Tunbridge Wells,
Sittingbourne and Folkestone
Invicta.
Photo: Twitter

He scored 13 goals in 19 appearances for Folkestone Invicta after switching from their then League rivals Sittingbourne.

The six foot five striker secured a two-year deal with League One side Millwall after impressing Neil Harris in pre-season friendlies against Dulwich Hamlet, Dover Athletic and Greenwich Borough.

The Lions paid an undisclosed transfer fee for Smith’s services and he got his professional career off to a flying start scoring twice on his debut on 8 November 2015 in the EFL Trophy tie against Luton Town and has now made 12 appearances, scoring six goals for the Wall.

Millwall completed their Sky Bet League One campaign in sixth-place and defeated Scunthorpe United in the semi-finals of the play-offs.

Striker Steve Morison scored a 85^th minute winner for Millwall in the Play-Off Final against Bradford City at Wembley Stadium yesterday, which propelled the club into the Championship after a two-year absence.

Smith wasn’t part of the match-day squad but went to Wembley Stadium with the rest of the squad.

“What can I say? From Ryman South champions to League One Play-Off winners in the space of 12 months – surreal,” Smith, 22, posted on his Twitter account.

“I’ve learnt so much this year and still so much more to learn going forward.

“I’m looking forward to the break now and then seeing what next season has in store.”

Smith, who also played for Sevenoaks Town and Tunbridge Wells in the ninth-tier of English football, added: “What a club, what a season!”