Darlington have only been promoted a handful of times and Kevan Smith played a part in three of those. It is a reflection of Smith's attitude, ability and leadership. Smith played over four hundred games for Quakers in two separate spells.

Smith, defender, first appeared at Darlington on trial in a match against the club's professionals under manager Len Walker before playing in the reserves against Barnsley. In the summer of 1979 Walker left Quakers but Smith was invited back by new boss Billy Elliott. Smith impressed Elliott in the reserves and was quickly snapped up.

Smith made his debut at Torquay United in September 1979 as Quakers lost 4-0. Team-mate Clive Nattress called him 'Smudger'. It was a nickname which stuck with him for the rest of his time at the club. Smith was a brave player and above all hard working and committed.

It was however under manager Elliott's successor Cyril Knowles, who said he couldn't believe Smudger was a footballer, that Smith really came into his own and by his own admission improved as a player. Knowles, who joined the club in 1983, demanded nothing less than 100% from his players and Smith filled the mould perfectly. The 1984/95 season saw Darlington promoted from the fourth division but Smith left for Rotherham feeling the manager did not rate him highly enough.

Smith later moved to Coventry City for £65,000 but broke his leg. Smith did play top flight football whilst with the Sky Blues and was at the club when they won the FA Cup but found regular football hard to come by and he moved to York City. Things failed to work out for Smith at Bootham Crescent but by this stage both Darlington and rivals Hartlepool United were interested in securing his services.

Smith rejoined the club after speaking with manager Brian Little. Quakers though were in the conference having been relegated at the end of the 1988/89 season. In under a year Smith had dropped from the top of English football to the bottom although it was in his second spell at the club in which Smith enjoyed the best years of his career.

Darlington won promotion from the conference at the first attempt and the following season (1990/91) won promotion from the fourth division to the third. Little left to join Leicester City and the bottom dropped out Smith's world. The pair were very close and Little was begged to stay by the player. Little recommended Smith for the management job at the club but Smudger convinced Frank Gray to instead take the job. Rumours persisted about Smith taking over as Quakers struggled in the higher division. Smith tried to quash the rumours but was dropped by Gray.

Smith had felt he was too young for the job but when Gray left the club in 1992 Smith applied for the job. Ray Hankin was given the position as a temporary measure. Smith hoped to get the job and had an interview. Instead Quakers installed Billy McEwan on a permanent basis. The pair's relationship was rocky at best. In the summer of 1992 Smith needed a major operation. Smudger was told he would need ten weeks to recover but came back after nine. Upon coming back McEwan said he wanted a new centre back.

Things remained difficult between the pair and later McEvan told Smith was been let go on a free transfer. By this stage though Smith was close to a testimonial and refused to leave. The relationship between the pair got worse and Smith was left further isolated and had to train on his own. Towards the end of his of his time at the club Smith did regain his place in the team but it was a bad way for Smith to finish his Darlington career.

The public and the fanzine Mission Impossible backed the player. Smith returned to Quakers to work for Football in the Community and went on to be assistant manager at Hull City with Little.