Daniel Smith captained the Norwich City Under 13s that won the Challenge De L'Amite (Paris) in March 1995. The following summer, he played on their tour of Holland but left the club in September 2005 to follow coach Geoff Harrop to Colechester United. Daniel stayed there until he was 16 when he left to go to 6th Form. Whilst at 6th form he played for Ipswich Wanderers in Ipswich. Going to university,he played for Chorlton Town in Manchester. Returning to Suffolk, he then played or non-leaguers Westerfield United in Ipswich.