Beginning his career in the non-league of English football, he had short spells with New Mills, Redditch United, Littleton, Droylsden, and Solihull Moors.

His 21 goals in the 2010–11 Conference North season caught the attention of League One team Oldham Athletic, where he spent two years, including a short loan spell at Macclesfield Town, before signing for Championship club Leeds United in 2013.

He made his debut for New Mills in the North West Counties Premier League as a substitute against Silsden in October 2008, scoring in a 2–0 win.

He went on to play a crucial role in the club's 21 game winning run, scoring 13 goals over the season including a hat trick against Alsager Town in April 2009.

[16] On 27 January 2013, in Smith's second season at the club, he scored two goals in a 3–2 win over Liverpool in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

[20] Smith scored three goals in his last three appearances of the season, against Bury, Yeovil and Crawley, which all culminated in wins and ultimately ensured Oldham's survival in League One.

On 23 May, with reported interest from a host of Championship clubs, Smith rejected an improved contract offer from Oldham Athletic.

[28][29][30][31] However, on 11 January 2014 Smith was sent off for violent conduct just two minutes after coming on as substitute in a 6–0 defeat against Sheffield Wednesday, for which he received a three-game ban.

[40] Following the sacking of Felix Magath a week later, and the subsequent appointment of Kit Symons as manager soon after, Smith was limited to a further two substitute appearances in almost three months at Craven Cottage.

[42] After joining Bristol City on loan, Smith registered his first goal for the club in his fifth appearance, scoring the opener in a 2–1 home victory against West Country rivals Yeovil Town on Boxing Day.

[44] After completing his hat-trick with a back-heel, Smith's fourth was a half-volley from the angle of the penalty area, which later won the "Goal of the Tournament".

[49] Smith returned to Fulham on 1 March and scored his first goal for the club five days later in his Craven Cottage debut against Bournemouth.

[56] His first goal for the club proved vital, putting The Ammies ahead for a second time in a 2–1 home win against Carlisle United on 1 February.

[57] On 20 December, Smith scored the only goal of the game to help Salford beat Port Vale and reach the quarter-finals of EFL Trophy.

[71] His half-brother Jean-Francois is a former professional basketball player, who played for Hyères-Toulon Var Basket in the French Pro A League.

[72] Smith's wife Amy is the daughter of football manager and former player Steve Bruce; in October 2024, the couple's four-month old son Madison died.