On 25 October 2012, Smith signed for another Conference side in Nuneaton Town, on an initial one-month loan.[5] Smith made his senior debut on 27 October in a 1–1 draw with Barrow, and went on to appear in seven games for the club.
On 11 January 2014 Smith was loaned to Football League One club Stevenage, in a one-month deal to provide cover following injuries to senior goalkeepers.[6]
Cambridge United (loan)
On 25 April 2014, Smith moved to Conference Premier side Cambridge United on an emergency loan, following injuries to all of the club's senior goalkeepers.[7] Smith made his debut the next day, in a 2–0 defeat to Gateshead on the final day of the League season.[8] With Cambridge having already qualified for the 2013–14 Conference play-offs, Smith starred as Cambridge defeated FC Halifax Town 2–1 over two legs, Cambridge being 1–0 down after the first leg, to send the U's to Wembley and a chance at promotion to the Football League.[9] On 18 May 2014, Smith played the full match as Cambridge defeated Gateshead 2–1 in the 2014 Conference play-off final, to earn promotion to League Two.[10]
On 9 January 2015, Smith moved on a one-month loan to League Two club Mansfield Town after Leicester's signing of Mark Schwarzer moved Smith back down to third choice.[13] The following day, Smith made his Football League debut, starting in a 2–1 away loss against Burton Albion in which he came up against fellow Leicester City loanee Jacob Blyth.[14]
On 6 July 2017, Smith signed for League One club Bristol Rovers after leaving Northampton Town at the end of the season.[17] He made his debut in a 1–0 away defeat to Charlton Athletic on 5 August 2017. He looked to have made an amazing save from a Patrick Bauer header tipping it onto the post, however the linesman and the referee judged that the ball had crossed the line.[18]
He was released by Bristol Rovers at the end of the 2018–19 season.[19]
Forest Green Rovers
Following his release from Bristol Rovers, Smith signed a two-year deal with Forest Green Rovers on 25 June 2019, active from 1 July 2019.[20]
On 23 September 2019, Smith joined National League side Yeovil Town on a one-month loan deal.[21] On 6 March 2020, Smith rejoined Yeovil on loan until the end of the 2019–20 season.[22]
On 15 August 2020, Smith signed returned to Yeovil Town for a third loan spell on loan until the end of the 2020–21 season.[23]
Stevenage
Smith signed for League Two club Stevenage on a short-term contract on 23 October 2021.[24] He made his debut on the same day as his signing was announced, keeping a clean sheet in Stevenage's 0–0 draw with Leyton Orient.[25]
On 22 January 2022, Stevenage confirmed that Smith had left the club.[26]
Morecambe
On 4 February 2022, Smith joined League One side Morecambe on a short-term contract until the end of the 2021–22 season.[27]
Although having initially departed the club following relegation at the end of the 2022–23 season,[28] he signed a new one-year deal on 20 June 2023.[29]
Hartlepool United
On 3 August 2024, he signed for National League side Hartlepool United on a short-term contract.[30] After starting the season as the second choice goalkeeper behind Joel Dixon, he made his debut on 31 August in a match against Braintree Town after Dixon had suffered a first half injury, keeping a clean sheet in a 0–0 draw.[31] On 7 October 2024, Smith was announced as Hartlepool's new goalkeeping coach.[32]
Personal life
In May 2015, Smith and teammates James Pearson and Tom Hopper made a sex tape with local women on Leicester's tour of Thailand, which was obtained by the Sunday Mirror. The three players apologised for making the video, which included a racial epithet towards the women.[33] However, the trio were sacked by the club on 17 June 2015.[34]
Career statistics
As of match played 26 December 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition