Mathew Joe Smith (born 23 July 1987) is a former English rugby league footballer who last played as a for the Widnes Vikings in the Betfred Championship. He has played for the England Knights and England at international level. He previously played for his home town club St Helens, spending time on loan from Saints at the Widnes Vikings, Celtic Crusaders and the Salford City Reds in the Super League. He moved to the Salford City Reds on a permanent deal, before moving to the Wigan Warriors and then back to his hometown club St Helens. He played for the Sheffield Eagles in the Betfred Championship on dual registration from St Helens during his second spell for the club. Smith has spent time on loan from the Catalans Dragons at the Warrington Wolves in the Super League. In December 2019 it was announced Smith had signed with championship club Widnes Vikings on a 1 year deal. Background Smith was born in St Helens, Merseyside, England. Before converting to rugby league, Smith had a youth career with Premier League association football club Everton, occasionally appearing in the reserve team. Club career St Helens (2006–2010) After coming through the junior ranks at St Helens, Smith made his Super League début for the club in 2006 in a match against Huddersfield Giants. After a loan spell in the Championship with Widnes in 2008, Smith joined Celtic Crusaders on a season-long loan and played for the Welsh franchise in their first season in Super League. He later had a loan spell at Salford, for whom he eventually signed on a permanent basis. After his Salford loan, Smith was recalled by his parent club St. Helens to play in the 2010 Super League Grand Final against Wigan, which St Helens lost despite a valiant performance by Smith. Salford (2010–2012) Following his successful loan spell at the club, Smith signed for Salford after the 2010 season and spent all of 2011 and the first half of 2012 with the club, before moving to the Wigan Warriors Wigan (2012–2016) Two days after making his England début against The Exiles, Smith completed his switch to Wigan on 6 July 2012, after a successful negotiation between the clubs to the early release from his Salford contract. He made his début on 3 August 2012 against Hull FC, with Wigan winning the match 48–10. In 2013, Matty received the number