Arriving from Accrington, Tom Smelt played a handful of league games for Exeter City in the mid-1920s before moving on to Chesterfield, Manchester City, Oldham and Rotherham. 

Tom started his career with Mexborough Town and then appeared for Chesterfield and Rotherham Town before joining Burnley in 1920. He subsequently moved back to Yorkshire with Wombwell until finally getting a chance as a Football League player with Accrington Stanley in 1922 where he scored 16 league goals from 40 starts. .

Signing for Exeter City in September 1924, Tom made his debut at home to Southend United on 11 October. Retained for the next match before being dropped, Tom played in dribs and drabs for the remainder of the season as he totalled just five league outings with a goal against Aberdare Athletic. 

Leaving St James’ Park at the end of the season, Tom was given another chance at Chesterfield and later signed for Morecambe before surprisingly making two league appearances for Manchester City in 1927. Continuing to switch between clubs, Tom went on to appear for Oldham Athletic, Scunthorpe and Lindsey United and - in 1932 - Rotherham where he died in 1980.