Tynesider William Smith joined Exeter City from South Shields Adelaide in 1910 but only played a dozen Southern League games before leaving to join Burnley.

After leaving school, William played for Denton Burn and Jarrow before signing for South Shields Adelaide where he grabbed 22 goals in 1909/10.

Joining Southern League Exeter City in 1910 William made his debut in the 1-0 defeat at Leyton on 10 September 1910 and, after playing in the next game, was soon out of the side. Appearing in dribs and drabs, with his longest run coming in February and March 1911, he accumulated a dozen league appearances in total with goals against Southampton, Southend, Coventry and Millwall coming in a flurry of five games. 

With his contract not renewed at the end of the season, William signed for Burnley where he did not feature in the first-team.