Smith began his career with
Manchester United, turning professional in April 1961. Smith left
Old Trafford in March 1965 to join
Scunthorpe United. Under
Fred Goodwin, the
Iron finished the
1964–65 campaign in 18th place in the
Third Division. They rose to fourth in
1965–66, still 12 points short of a
promotion place, before they dropped to 18th in
1966–67. Smith moved to
Grimsby Town, for a fee of £8,000, but failed to prevent
Don McEvoy's
Mariners from slipping into the
Fourth Division in
1967–68. Smith remained in the Third Division, signing with
Freddie Goodwin's
Brighton & Hove Albion in June 1968. The
Seagulls finished 12th in
1968–69, before rising to fifth in
1969–70, only five points shy of the promotion places. Goodwin chided the
Goldstone Ground supporters for barracking Smith in January 1970, writing in the
matchday programme that "he has done nothing to warrant this behaviour". Brighton dropped down to 14th-place in
1970–71 under
Pat Saward. In June 1971, Smith signed with
Ken Roberts'
Chester on a
free transfer. He moved to
Hartlepool United – initially on
loan – in October of that year. Both teams struggled at the foot of the
Football League, with
Len Ashurst's
Pools finishing just above the re-election places in
1971–72 and
1972–73. In August 1973, he moved to
Bury as a player-
coach, but failed to appear in their league side. ==International career==