A forward, Smith began his career in the youth system at hometown First Division club Leicester City in April 1975 and progressed to sign his first professional contract in December 1976.
[3][4] Smith had to wait until September 1977 to make his first team debut, which came when he replaced Eddie Kelly during a 5–1 defeat to Everton.
[5] Smith's most notable moment in a Foxes shirt came on 23 March 1978, when he scored his only goal for the club in a 3–2 defeat to Manchester United.
[6] During the English off-season in the summer of 1978, Smith moved to the United States to join North American Soccer League club Houston Hurricane on loan.
[2] He scored six goals in 17 appearances for the Hurricane in a disappointing 1978 season,[2] which saw the club finish bottom of the American Conference Central Division.