[1] David Smith was born in Dewsbury, West Riding of Yorkshire, England, he has worked as a wholesale butcher.
David Smith started his professional career at Wakefield Trinity, signing from Shaw Cross.
[4] Smith appeared as a substitute (replacing right wing Alan Smith) in Leeds' 16–7 victory over Widnes in the 1977 Challenge Cup Final during the 1976–77 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 7 May 1977, in front of a crowd of 80,871, and played right wing in the 14–12 victory over St Helens in the 1978 Challenge Cup Final during the 1977–78 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 13 May 1978, in front of a crowd of 96,000.
He played left wing in Leeds' 16–12 victory over Featherstone Rovers in the 1976 Yorkshire Cup Final during the 1976–77 season at Headingley, Leeds on Saturday 16 October 1976, played right-centre and scored a try in the 15–6 victory over Halifax in the 1979 Yorkshire Cup Final during the 1979–80 season at Headingley, Leeds on Saturday 27 October 1979, and played right-centre in the 8–7 victory over Hull Kingston Rovers in the 1980 Yorkshire Cup Final during the 1980–81 season at Fartown Ground, Huddersfield on Saturday 8 November 1980.
Smith appeared as a substitute (replacing left wing Steve Pullen) in Bradford Northern's 7–18 defeat by Hull F.C.