Smales made his début for
Wigan in the 46–5 victory over
Featherstone Rovers at
Central Park,
Wigan on Saturday 20 September 1958, he scored his first try (2-
tries) for Wigan in the 23–16 victory over
Rochdale Hornets at
Athletic Ground,
Rochdale on Saturday 4 October 1958, he scored his last try for Wigan in the 16–14 victory over Swinton at
Station Road,
Swinton on Saturday 23 April 1960, and he played his last match for Wigan in the 17–23 defeat by Hunslet at
Central Park,
Wigan on Saturday 10 September 1960. After a period spent playing for Barrow, Smales then played for Featherstone Rovers, making his debut in September 1965. He played , and scored 3-
goals in
Featherstone Rovers' 12–25 defeat by
Hull Kingston Rovers in the
1966–67 Yorkshire Cup Final during the
1966–67 season at
Headingley,
Leeds on Saturday 15 October 1966. Smales played , scored a
try, two
conversion's, and a
penalty, in
Featherstone Rovers' 17–12 victory over
Barrow in the
1966–67 Challenge Cup Final during the
1966–67 season at
Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 13 May 1967, in front of a crowd of 76,290. He played in
Featherstone Rovers' 9–12 defeat by
Hull F.C. in the
1969–70 Yorkshire Cup Final during the
1969–70 season at
Headingley,
Leeds on Saturday 20 September 1969. ==Coaching career==