All too often sportsmen are called legends, but Andy Smith is certainly that for the Invicta Dynamos after passing 1,000 points.

In an ice hockey career at Kent’s premier club, Smith has stood head and shoulders above all those that have preceded him and most likely, all that will follow him.

With the chance to have played at a higher level, Smith has given up the opportunity to play for his local side, the club he loves and in front of the fans he enjoys playing for.

That’s a rare commodity nowadays with many sportsmen lured by a few extra quid or chasing the dream, but Smith has proven that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side.

Last Saturday, Smith made it to 1,000 career points for the Dynamos at Streatham Redskins, helping guide the side to their 14th straight league win in the NIHL South.

Sitting at the top of the table and going into the business end of the season, the Dynamos are a much better side with Smith leading their top line and having amassed the milestone, the softly spoken skater told Kent Sports News how special it was to have made it to 1,000 points for the Dynamos:

“It was nice to do it away, but I would have preferred to do it at home but I knew going into the weekend doing it at Streatham was more than likely. It was good to get it out the way so we could concentrate on the Bracknell game, which unfortunately didn’t go our way.”

“Against London would have been perfect to get it out of the way for the following weekend, but it wasn’t to be. The support we got at Streatham, especially when I got my 1000th point was absolutely incredible. Streatham had more fans there but we just out sang them and it felt like we had an extra man on the ice – thanks to the fans, that was brilliant.”

It was the fans that made passing 1,000 points that more special and you won’t find a more vociferous set of supporters in the league.

They turned out in their numbers at Streatham, to show their support to Smith with many posters and banners leaving the Dynamo proud of what he had seen:

“It was insane, as soon as I got the point party poppers went off and flags come out and the banners were up on the wall.”

“It sort of took over a bit, I was like a rabbit caught in the headlights throughout the whole game to be honest. Credit to the fans, I would like to thank them.”

With 1,000 points under his belt, Smith was asked to reflect on his long career, but couldn’t recollect the first of those, but insisted the Dynamos was the club he always wanted to play for:

“I don’t actually; I think it was in the EPL cup against Slough and it was a goal to draw two-all. Kevin Parrish might have assisted me on it…..he’s telling me to say that.”

“It’s where I started to play hockey when I was four years old and the place I’ve always wanted to be. I thought there might have been a chance in Slough years ago but I didn’t quite get there. I’ve had the chance to go to other places, but this is where I’ve always wanted to be and I wouldn’t change that for the world.”

The 2012/13 season could well have been the last for Smith with the forward taking his time before deciding to come back and play again and he explained how the lure of getting to 1,000 points was an influence, but wants to now carry on and win titles with the Dynamos:

“That season it took a couple of months to decide if I was playing or not as I knew if I did it would be a two or three year plan to get my 1000th point.

“I still love it and I still feel like I can play. There is no target, the team needs to start winning trophies and we have the team this year to do it.”

Having lost to Bracknell Hornets last Sunday, the Dynamos will now be looking to get back to winning ways this weekdend, firstly at Solent Devils on Saturday night before returning to Gillingham on Sunday evening to face the Wightlink Raiders.

For Smith, he is looking for a response from the Dynamos squad as they look to rebuild and maintain top spot in the league:

“We was on a good streak, one of the players told the dressing room we was never going to the whole season undefeated as we still have loads of games to play.”

“But it’s how you bounce back, like in football with teams such as Man Utd, they bounce back and we will. I looked at the fixtures earlier today and every game is a potential banana skin. We play Solent away and Isle of Wight at home, that’s four massive points.”

When quizzed as to whether he thought the league title race was between the Dynamos and Chelmsford Chieftains, Smith was adamant it was a two horse race:

“Without a doubt, I think Chelmsford will always be there and after the run we went on it has put us in a good position. We have to forget about the Bracknell loss and move-on, Chelmsford will slip-up….hopefully, and we still have to play them twice and like us they have to go to the Isle of Wight.”

After passing 1,000 points Smith received well wishes from all around the hockey world, one of them from Wightlink Raiders player /coach Jeremy Cornish.

The burly Canadian did however question whether Smith should have moved clubs throughout his career, but the Dynamo was adamant he had made the right decision for him and his family:

“I take Jeremy’s comment as a compliment, I should have played in a higher league but this is where I have been brought up and this is where I play.”

“My brother has said before maybe you should have done the 1000th point at another club – but this is my club and it’s where I’ve always wanted to be.”

After a tussle between the two sides after the game when they met in Gillingham shortly before Christmas, Smith and the Dynamos are looking forward to Sunday’s encounter:

“It will be an interesting game against Wightlink, let’s put it that way!”

A bumper crowd is set to pack into the Silver Blades in Gillingham for the Wightlink game with tensions high between the two sides.

With so much at stake, it could well end up being the game of the season with face off at 5:15pm.

Who would bet against Smith playing a leading role in the game?

Pictures supplied by David Trevallion.