Smith started his footballing career at Hartlepool United in 1998, but was released a year later in 1999 following a long-term injury. After his release, Smith joined non-League team Barrow, but played only one game before moving on to Bishop Auckland.
Bolton Wanderers
Smith's performances at Bishop Auckland were much improved and he was hailed as one of the best crossers in non-league football. In March 2001, Smith joined Football League First Division club Bolton Wanderers on a short contract deal after impressing during a week-long trial. Smith wanted to show Wanderers manager Sam Allardyce that he could make the grade in the Football League. Smith played in the final league match of the 2000–01 season, a 1–1 draw against Sheffield United. He signed a new contract following Bolton's promotion to the Premier League, but struggled to get into the first team, playing a few League Cup matches. Smith was loaned to Macclesfield Town for two months to gain some experience in December 2001, and scored two goals in eight league games. He still struggled to get into the first team, playing in one Premier League match away to West Ham United, again the last game of the season. In the two following seasons Smith played only a handful of League Cup and FA Cup matches and was loaned out to Scunthorpe United, Rochdale and Preston North End for brief periods at the back end of the 2003–04 season. During the three loan spells he made a combined total of just two starts and five substitute appearances, with injury also plaguing him. He was released by Wanderers in the summer.
Port Vale
In June 2004, Smith joined Port Vale on a one-year contract. He was a first team regular during his first season at the club and Vale offered Smith a new contract, which he accepted. Smith was again in and around the first team throughout the 2005–06 season, and signed a new one-year deal at the end of the campaign. Smith started the first half of the 2006–07 season very strongly, attracting interest from other clubs.
Carlisle United
In January 2007, Smith joined Carlisle United for a fee of £60,000 on a 2½ year contract. Smith made his Carlisle début in a goalless draw at Brentford, scoring his first goal at Doncaster Rovers a week later. He was injured in a 2–1 win over Luton Town after coming on as a substitute, causing him to be replaced himself. This was his last game of the campaign. Smith was released from Carlisle at the end of 2008–09 after having played just twenty games all season, with the club narrowly avoiding relegation out of League One.
Darlington
He was signed by League Two's Darlington manager Colin Todd in June 2009. Darlington had a poor season, relegated out of the English Football League, eighteen points from safety, losing 32 of their 46 games, the team managed to score just 33 goals.
