A PUNDIT, manager or coach would be the obvious career choice for most professional footballers when they choose to hang up their boots.

Unless you are Nicky Smith.

Twenty-five years ago he called time on a successful footballing career.

And at its peak, Nicky was an integral part of Colchester United’s double winning season between 1991 and 1992.

Nicky, who was a midfielder, was an integral part of ‘Big Roy’ McDonough’s all-conquering side which regained the U’s Football League status and lifted the FA Trophy at Wembley.

He made nearly 100 appearances for the U’s between 1990 and 1994.

He later enjoyed a prolonged career in non-league circles.

But by his late twenties, he felt the time had come for a radical change.

“It was a massive decision at the time,” he said.

“I left Colchester and signed for Wycombe Wanderers but because of the travelling - I was living in Marks Tey at the time - it wasn’t for me.

“I decided I needed a bit of a career and had never made enough money to retire so I decided to go semi-professional and joined Sudbury Town and Suffolk Constabulary.”

And it was the latter of those choices which years later was to see Police Constable Nicky Smith revisit his U’s days - this time policing alongside the pitch instead of playing on it.

He continued: “I could have stayed at the same level and played until I was 35 but your priorities change.

“I had met my wife, Tanya, and we had a little one due.

“The police was a real career then, more long term, something different and not a mundane job.

“I didn’t want to do something I wasn’t going to enjoy.

“My dad had also been a police officer for many years.”

Braintree and Witham Times:

Nicky celebrates a goal in the FA Trophy Final at Wembley

Nicky’s policing career had thus far seen him on the beat in Haverhill, Suffolk, and then moving across the border to Essex Police where the opportunity came up for something of a homecoming.

Nicky played at the U’s old Layer Road ground but now polices at the U’s Weston Homes Community Stadium.

“There was an internal advert for the role of a dedicated football spotter and it’s a case where you have to apply like any other job application with your credentials and why you want to do it.

“There, I was selected among other candidates for the role.

“Colchester United wasn’t actually aware of my role until I went into the control box on one of the match days when a few old faces working in there recognised me, as well as Steve Ball - another former U’s player - who is now assistant manager and they were quite surprised to say the least.”

Nicky added: “It’s great going to the Weston Homes Community Stadium, although I played at Layer Road, but it’s great recognising a lot of faces from the past and nice to chat about the old days.

“If I had a pound every time that someone says ‘Have you got your boots’ I wouldn’t be working now.

“It is weird now having once played and tried to entertain the supporters to now keeping an eye on them in a different capacity.

“I always look out for Colchester’s result when I’m now working at the game,” he added.

As one of a team of six, it is Nicky’s job to keep a watchful eye on what he referred to as match attendees posing a “risk element”.

Intelligence is gathered in the days up to a U’s home or away fixture about any supporters who need to be watched by police and apprehended if their behaviour becomes antisocial.

“We ID who they are, we know the names, know the faces and who we need to look out for,” Nicky explained.

What has inevitably - and sadly - become a more prevalent issue upon both the police’s and supporters’ minds in recent years, is terrorism.

“I do think people are more aware,” Nicky admitted and agreed the public generally has more respect now for police officers - even considering the on-going investigations of the Hillsborough disaster.

He added: “I wouldn’t say people are more fearful. At Colchester we only have between three to four thousand supporters but I do think people’s awareness is more heightened.”

Braintree and Witham Times:

Nicky shows he has lost none of his skills in a veterans match

And it’s not just policing which has enabled Nicky to continue with his true love of the beautiful game.

For the past eight years he’s been manager of the England Police team, and then the Great Britain Police team.

The England team is riding high, now preparing for their Euro qualifier in France on November 9.

Nicky, who is now 48, has been busy outside of his police job, based in Braintree, organising all manner of things for the team including travel arrangements.

He added: “It’s a nice accolade to have, a good thing for Essex Police to say they have a police officer representing their country and the whole of the UK - although it can be frustrating being on the sidelines.

“Professionally I did prefer being a footballer due to the lifestyle.

“It was really good. To go around and do something you love to do and most other people would love to do it, to get that opportunity.

“I say to youngsters now, don’t give up on your dreams.

“People look up to footballers and they are role models.

“When I do football spotting at Colchester you do still get recognised 25 years or so later so I still think ‘You have done something right.”