A-Jay Leitch-Smith

Yeovil Town In June 2014, Leitch-Smith signed for Gary Johnson's League One club Yeovil Town on a two-year contract. He struggled in his first season for the "Glovers", as he was played mostly in a wide position. He only scored twice in 38 appearances. He was one of four players offered a contract termination by new manager Paul Sturrock following Yeovil's relegation into League Two at the end of the season.

Port Vale In July 2015, Leitch-Smith signed a 12-month deal with League One side Port Vale after agreeing to leave Yeovil. He earned the contract after impressing manager Rob Page during pre-season training. He scored his first goal for the "Valiants" on 14 November, with a header that opened the scoring in a 2–1 win at Barnsley. This was to start a sequence of five goals in four games, which was the best scoring run of his career to that point. For his performances he was short-listed for the League One player of the month award. After scoring his sixth goal of the season in a 1–1 draw with Scunthorpe United at Vale Park on 12 December he was named in the Football League Paper's team of the day. He scored four goals in four games in January to go into double figures for the season to earn himself a nomination for the PFA fans' Player of the Month award for League One. Chairman Norman Smurthwaite confirmed that Leitch-Smith had rejected the offer of a new contract from the club in May 2016.

Shrewsbury Town Leitch-Smith signed with League One side Shrewsbury Town in June 2016, along with former Port Vale teammates Ryan McGivern and Louis Dodds. He scored his first goal for the club in the first minute of a first-round League Cup tie against Championship side Huddersfield Town, with Shrewsbury going on to win 2–1. After an indifferent run of form in Micky Mellon's last weeks as manager, he was recalled to the starting eleven by new manager Paul Hurst for an FA Cup first round tie on 5 November, and scored the second goal in a 3–0 victory over Barnet. He was limited to five goals in 12 starts and nine substitute appearances throughout the 2016–17 campaign, and was not allocated a squad number ahead of the following season as he was not in the club's future plans.

On 31 August 2017, he joined Scottish Premiership club Dundee on a five-month loan deal. He made his debut for the "Dee" on 9 September, coming on as a 38th-minute substitute for Scott Allan in a 4–1 defeat at Rangers. He was given his first start at Dens Park seven days later, scoring twice in a 3–2 win over St Johnstone. In January 2018, the loan agreement was extended to the end of the 2017–18 season after "Dee" manager Neil McCann was impressed by the link-up play he made with striker Sofien Moussa despite him being unable to secure a regular place in the starting eleven. He was released by Shrewsbury at the end of the 2017–18 season.

Morecambe On 8 August 2018, Leitch-Smith signed a one-year contract with League Two side Morecambe; manager Jim Bentley stated that he had "tried to sign him a couple of years ago." He scored six goals in 29 appearances for the "Shrimps" in the 2018–19 season, having missed the second half of the campaign with a hamstring tear. Despite only scoring six goals and missing half the season he ended the campaign as the club's top-scorer and went on to sign a new two-year contract at the Globe Arena. However, he was restricted to just eight league starts in the 2019–20 season before football was suspended in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic in England.

Non-League On 7 August 2021, Leitch-Smith joined National League side Altrincham. He said that the attractive football played at Moss Lane reminded him of his time at Crewe. He made just four starts during the 2021–22 season, though made a further 15 substitute appearances and scored four goals, claiming one assist.

In July 2022, Leitch-Smith returned to his native Cheshire to join Northern Premier League Premier Division side Nantwich Town. He scored two goals in 16 games for the "Dabbers". In November 2022, Leitch-Smith signed for league rivals Warrington Rylands. He joined Hyde United on loan in March 2023. He scored one goal in five games for Hyde. and made 11 appearances during the early part of the 2023–24 season, scoring four goals, before leaving to join Stafford Rangers. He left the field injured as Stafford lost 1–0 to Ashton United at Marston Road as relegation from the Northern Premier League Premier Division was confirmed. He switched to divisional rivals Hanley Town in October 2024. He featured 20 times in the 2024–25 campaign, scoring two goals, as the club suffered relegation.

On 28 July 2025, he signed with Midland League Premier Division side Northwich Victoria. The club qualified for the play-offs at the end of the 2025–26 season, and Leitch-Smith played in the play-off final defeat to 1874 Northwich.

Style of play Though Leitch-Smith lacks natural athleticism and pace, he is an intelligent and creative attacker with good technical skills and a high work rate. Former teammate Tom Pope stated that Leitch-Smith was "one of the most intelligent strikers... in League One".

Career statistics + Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals

2008–09 League One

2009–10 League Two

2010–11 League Two

2011–12 League Two

2012–13 League One

2013–14 League One

103!!19!!3!!0!!4!!1!!12!!2!!122!!22 ÍBV (loan) 2009 Úrvalsdeild

Yeovil Town 2014–15 League One

Port Vale 2015–16 League One

2016–17 League One

2017–18 Scottish Premiership

2018–19 League Two

2019–20 League Two

2020–21 League Two

53!!9!!4!!0!!2!!0!!3!!0!!62!!9 Altrincham 2021–22 Northern Premier LeaguePremier Division

2023–24 Northern Premier LeaguePremier Division

Nantwich Town 2023–24 Northern Premier LeaguePremier Division

2024–25 Northern Premier LeagueDivision One West

21!!1!!0!!0!!0!!0!!2!!0!!23!!1 Hanley Town 2024–25