[2] A former English Schools international at loose forward, Smales signed for Featherstone Rovers from Lock Lane amateurs in April 1987.
[3] Smales played at stand-off in Featherstone Rovers' 14-20 defeat by Bradford Northern in the 1989 Yorkshire Cup Final during the 1989–90 season at Headingley, Leeds on Sunday 5 November 1989.
Smales played at second-row in Featherstone Rovers' 20-16 victory over Workington Town in the 1992–93 Divisional Premiership Final during the 1992–93 season at Old Trafford, Manchester on Wednesday 19 May 1993.
[5][6] Smales played right-second-row in Castleford's 33-2 victory over Wigan in the 1993–94 Regal Trophy Final during the 1993–94 at Headingley, Leeds on Saturday 22 January 1994.
Ian Smales still attends Featherstone Rovers games, and now works as a Sport & Active Lifestyles’ Health & Fitness Officer, for Wakefield District Council.