His full début came in a 4–0 defeat at Leeds United on 8 December, after Glennon lost an appeal against his dismissal and Town were refused permission to loan an emergency goalkeeper on the grounds that Smithies was registered as a professional.

In this match, caretaker manager Gerry Murphy dropped regular goalkeeper Matt Glennon in favour of Smithies, who went on to help Huddersfield to a 2–1 victory over Walsall.

His contribution in helping Huddersfield to a final position inside the League One playoffs was reflected by him winning the club's Young Player of the Year Trophy.

[6] In conceding just 56 goals in such a competitive campaign, he won both praise and admiration from many quarters; earning the Football League's Young Player of the Month award in February 2010 along the way.

On 17 November 2009 Smithies was linked with Stoke City after a scout from the club was the latest in a long string of Premier League interest to be seen at the Galpharm.

[7] Smithies was named as the Football League Young Player of the Month for February 2010 after keeping three clean sheets in seven undefeated Huddersfield Town matches.

[9] Further speculation relating to his future at the club followed Huddersfield's 3–0 defeat against Peterborough United in the League One play-off final, and he was linked with a move to Leicester City, along with teammate Lee Peltier.

[11] Smithies' absence from the squad during 2010–11 through injury allowed Ian Bennett to become first choice goalkeeper, backed up by fellow veteran Nick Colgan.

[15] On 17 August 2012, Smithies began his debut season in the Championship with Huddersfield in a 1–0 away defeat at eventual league winners Cardiff City.

On 25 September 2013, Smithies signed a one-year contract extension at the club, keeping him at the John Smith's Stadium at least until the summer of 2016, with the option for a further year.

[citation needed] On 20 August 2015, Smithies joined Queens Park Rangers for an undisclosed fee, signing a three-year deal.

He then returned to his goal and dropped to his haunches, before eventually lying flat on his back off the pitch where he was treated for eight minutes by medical staff.

A blood oxygen monitor was applied to his finger, before he was transferred, sitting upright, onto the stretcher and was replaced by Dillon Phillips.

Cardiff went on to win the game 2–0, and after the match manager Mick McCarthy reported that Smithies was feeling better, and that they had "no idea" what caused the illness.

[citation needed] On 20 November 2007, Smithies made his debut for the England U-18 team, where he played 45 minutes in their 2–0 win against Ghana U-18s at Gillingham's Priestfield Stadium.