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At the age of nine he was spotted by a coach from Colchester United, a year later both West Ham and Ipswich were tracking him. But it was Arsenal he joined at just eleven years old.
Whilst in time Smith was offered a professional contract with the Gunners, he reveals he became frustrated at his lack of progress.
'I was struggling to get into the youth team, let alone push for the reserves like I needed to be doing at that stage of my development'
He was head strong.
Smith went on loan to Southend but his attitude let him down
'At that stage in my life it was more important for me to go out with my friends than concentrate on what had the potential to be a successful career.'
Luckily for Smith, he moved to Reading and in March 1997 was offered a one year deal.
'I just sat there open-mouthed and nodded in acceptance.'
He made his debut at Manchester City as a second half sub on May 3rd 1997. But Smith was still very young and made some decisions he later regretted such as spending too much time on 'all-day drinking sessions' which didn't help his fitness.
In March 1998 Alan Pardew, then reserve term manager, told Smith that Yeovil wanted to sign him. Smith took his dad with him to meet Colin Lippiatt the manager of the Somerset club and signed but on non-contract terms.
'I didn't realise what a risky move this was'.
In his second year at Yeovil he met Jamie Pitman who was in the squad and during that season Colin Addison took over as manager but later suddenly quit. Both were to feature again in his career.
Smith respected Addison as a manager.
'I felt like my performances at the back end of the season, and the way I'd behaved at times, had let him down.'
And with Addison gone Smith moved back to Southend where he picked up an injury in pre-season and whilst recovering went out drinking too often. Not long after returning to full fitness he suffered another injury. He was soon looking for another club and sent his CV to every lower league and Conference club
Ron Jukes rang him one evening and the Hereford United scout set up a meeting between manager Graham Turner and Smith. Turner had spoken to Colin Addison who said he 'was a good player but a handful off the pitch'. A deal was agreed. Smith was 'delighted'.
But before his full league debut for the Bulls, Smith received a shoulder injury which kept him out until November 30th 2002. The Bulls defeated Barnet 4-0 that afternoon with a hat-trick from Steve Guinan and one from Smith for whom it was his first senior goal in eighteen months.
Smith had been told in advance that Turner could 'hand out some aggressive bollickings'. After losing 4-1 at Shrewsbury he witnessed one. Turner 'hammered' Smith's performance and added that he (Smith) had worn the wrong type of boot.
'Looking back he might have done it to get a reaction from me'.
It certainly worked as the following Tuesday Halifax were defeated 7-1. Smith scored two of the goals and was voted 'man of the match'.
Smith stayed at Edgar Street for a second season when the Bulls came runners-up in the Conference but lost out in the play-offs. However disaster struck in February at Gillingham where Smith dislocated his shoulder for the second time.
At the end of the season Turner offered Smith another contract, but the midfielder wanted to play in the Football League and moved to Shrewsbury which he later regretted. And another shoulder injury, this time when playing at Bournemouth put him in hospital. Richard O'Kelly, coach at Edgar Street whilst Smith was there, had moved to the seaside after leaving Edgar Street and came to visit him.
'Little things like that are why I, and many others, hold him in such high esteem.'
Gary Peters became manager at Shrewsbury and signed Smith for a second season. They didn't get on and in December Peters told him to 'look for another club'. Smith met Graham Turner who offered him a deal back at Edgar Street but Smith moved to Weymouth partly because of the money.
A year or so later Smith was looking for another club when the money rang out and, once again, he spoke to Graham Turner. A two and a half year deal was agreed which resulted in Turner paying £20K for Smith and the midfielder receiving £1200 per week to start with.
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| Ben Smith Pictured In September 2007 - BN Copyright |
Lionel Ainsworth scored after three minutes and the Bulls held out for the win.
'We scored early on and we were expecting a bombardment thereon, but we went toe to toe with them throughoout.'
In April 2008 Hereford United won promotion to League One but the next season was a real disappointment as the club simply couldn't compete at this higher level.
'The management should have pushed the boat out and signed some experienced players.'
By April 2009 Hereford were relegated and Smith who had been earning £1400 per week was offered a new contract but at nearer £700. Graham Turner had been clever enough to see that Smith only started 29 League games, one less than required for an automatic extension to his exsisting contract.
'I was really disappointed with the way the management had blatantly stopped me reaching the thirty game mark.'
Smith moved to Conference club Crawley. Steve Evans was their manager.
'His shenanigans are notorious within the lower leagues and he revels in this notoriety.'
However Smith signed for a second season which proved to be a good decision as Crawley had new backers who wanted promotion. Not only did they get promotion but also an excellent FA Cup run which took them to Old Trafford.
Smith was in and out of the team often depending on the formation Evans deployed. But like any player the prospect of playing against Manchester United was too good to miss.
'I was concerned about whether I would be starting and, if I did, I was then worried about my performance. I looked for where it should be, just behind the strikers, and there it was: 7) Smith
The game was a sell out and Smith was up against Michael Carrick. Although Crawley lost they became the 'Giant Killers Of The Year' and gained promotion to League Two.
'I was looking forward to playing in the Football League again immensely'
But it didn't work out for Smith as Evans had brought in several new players and Smith found it difficult to retain a place in the squad. He went on loan to Kettering.
'As soon as I agreed Steve and I were the best of pals again and he waxed lyrical about how I was still part of his plans. He was lying'.
Later Smith moved to Aldershot on loan. Then Evans quit Crawley and he was called back. But he took little part in their promotion push to League One. For Smith the season had been a 'f****** disaster.'
In the last chapter of his book Smith questions what might have been had he not been as immature in his youth. But he only admits to two regrets.
'Moving from Yeovil just before Gary Johnson took over and leaving Hereford United the first time around.
'I strongly believe that if I had remained where I was at either point then I would have gone on to develope a lot quicker, under two highly experienced football men, into both the player and person I was capable of being.'
Smith's book is a very detailed look at his football career which covered the best part of two decades. He certainly has a good memory as it's full of information about how he coped with negotiations about pay, managers, fellow players but, unusually, nothing about referees. Obviously a fair proportion of the book is about his time at Edgar Street which spanned four and a half seasons but there is plenty about his life at Arsenal, Yeovil and Crawley as well.
His honesty about why he didn't reach the levels in the game he might have done is refreshing. That part of the book alone should be standard reading for any youngster wanting to make his way in the game.
But in any case this is a good read and should appeal to anyone with an interest in Lower League football.
Just one disappointment, Smith mentions his long-suffering girlfriend Emma and how they had to move houses several times. But we are left to guess whether they remain an item.
The book, which comes with photos taken by Steve Niblett and James Maggs, can be purchased by BN readers direct from the publishers at a discounted price. Go to: www.bitebackpublishing.com
Simply scroll down to the promotion input field – half way down the right hand side of the home page – and type in the code: BNEWS.