19-year old Bradley Smith has hit the ground running as far as life in men’s football is concerned, fazed little by the prospect of his first full season mixing it with the big boys.

In fact, the young attacker is thriving and is the leading goalscorer in his Kings Langley side. Rarely does such a raw talent have the maturity to translate their flair into on-pitch effectiveness and play such a huge part in their sides fortunes, so Brad’s impact may have surprised a few people at the club. But what were his own expectations of how he would fare moving into the men’s game?

“I always try to be confident in my footballing ability so in that sense I believed I could bring something to the team.”

Self-assured, strong minded and backing himself to make a difference. However, even Smith himself has to admit some amazement at just how easily he’s made the transition.

“Although I did also have the hurdle of it being my first season where I would play regularly at the men’s level, so I have surprised myself in some areas of my game!”

Smith made the move to WD4 at the start of the campaign, on loan from local Step 2 side Hemel Hempstead Town where he has spent the majority of his footballing career.

He signed his first-team contract in November 2023, having made his debut for The Tudors at the backend of the previous 2022/23 season.

Last year saw him make a few cameo appearances from the bench for the first team, but he mostly did his work with the under 18s, who played a key role in his development and prepared him for the step up to senior football with Kings this term.

At this stage in his short career, Smith has heeded the advice of those around him and is feeling the benefits of regular first team action on his game.

“I have had the pleasure of being around some really experienced players and coaches in this early stage and they can’t stress enough how important it is to play, at whatever level, in the men’s game as much as you can.”

“Being able to play week in, week out so far this season has really made that abundantly clear to me as I feel I’m improving at a rapid pace, emotionally and physically.”

He’s certainly been growing in stature on the pitch, becoming something of a go-to man for Jordan Parkes and he has found a rich vein of form that’s seen him crowned the club’s Player of the Month back-to-back for October and November.

Notching up some big goals to rescue important points against the likes of AFC Dunstable and Leighton Town, Smith is no stranger to a standout moment and scored one particular stunner in the home tie against Ware.

Such strong performances cannot be going unnoticed, and while Smith understands there will be whisperings around the leagues with his name involved, he remains focused on the here and now and helping his Kings side climb up the table.

“Right now I want to focus on where my feet are at and doing what I can, when I can for my teammates. Anything that comes as a result of that is in excess to enjoying playing the game regularly.”

Much of that loyalty comes from the platform Kings have given him and he is grateful for the opportunity he’s being afforded in regular action with the team.

“It’s definitely the most enjoyment I have had out of the men’s game so far. I enjoy being around my teammates and playing under JP, and I can’t not enjoy scoring goals so there’s that too I guess!”

Let’s hope for both Smith’s and Kings’ sake there are plenty more of those to come, and if he continues as he is, that doesn’t look like being in doubt.

This interview features in tonight's Match Programme, which you can download from link below.