[3] Beginning his career with his local non-League team in Walkden, Smith was then signed by Manchester City in 1923.
Smith soon made his way back into League football again after joining Plymouth Argyle in 1925, making his debut in a 6–2 win over Crystal Palace on 2 September 1925.
Smith appeared 31 times for the Pilgrims before eventually finding himself at Plymouth's Devon neighbours Torquay United in 1928.
[4] Smith joined Torquay in time for their second season in the Football League and made his debut in a 4–1 home victory over Newport County on 22 September 1928.
It was during that season that Smith became the first Torquay player to make 100 appearances for the club during the FA Cup Third Round match away to Bury on 10 January 1931.