During his time in Sheffield, he was named the club's Player of the Year in 1981, and Wednesday twice won promotion and twice appeared in the FA Cup semi-finals.
He then began work as a coach at various clubs, which included a one-game stint in charge of Sheffield Wednesday in 2004 in a caretaker manager capacity.
At age 32, it was at County where his career stuttered, he had loan spells with John Rudge's Port Vale,[7] Huddersfield Town and Third Division Chesterfield.
In the summer of 1993, Smith joined Lincoln City, making his debut in the club's opening day 1–0 defeat at Colchester United on 14 August 1993.
[9] Following his dismissal as manager at the end of the 1993–94 season, Keith Alexander was offered his old role as youth team coach but instead opted for the same position at Mansfield Town with Smith appointed to the post at Lincoln City.
Following the sacking of Colin Murphy and Steve Thompson, Smith was placed in temporary charge of the "Magpies" before the appointment of Sam Allardyce.
He presided over a 1–0 League Cup defeat to Coventry City on 22 September 2004 before reverting to his previous role following the appointment of Paul Sturrock as manager.
[17] The 2006–07 season saw Smith join Ilkeston Town as coach and assistant manager to Nigel Jemson;[18] the two had been teammates at Notts County.
In October 2007, Smith was appointed to the position of International Youth Director at Sheffield United[20] before moving into the role as a development coach for the club.