Simon Jose of the Leeds United Independent Fans' Association said: "It's a stab in the back for all Leeds fans. But it reflects football as it stands today. The people at the highest level are in it for the money. It's about making as much as possible in as short a time as possible.
"There's simply no compassion or empathy with the fans any more. There are very few who seem to have any respect for the club or the badge. You cannot say you're a Leeds fan and then go to Manchester United. No Leeds fan would be seen dead in a Man U shirt, so Smith cannot be a Leeds fan.
"He will now go down on a long list of people who have betrayed Leeds United, and as for him saying he would one day come back, there's no way that will ever happen."
John Boocock of the Leeds United Supporters' Trust agreed, although he added there were more important matters to deal with.
"We are at rock bottom and we have to start thinking about moving uphill again," he said. "What we should be worried about is that we've no manager and a bunch of clowns running the club.
"We need to start thinking about the problems we are facing now because, let's face it, we are not going to be playing Manchester United next season, not unless it's a cup game.
"The bigger issues for us are who will be the next Alan Smith, and who is going to manage the team. But it has become clear Smith is not in tune with the Leeds supporters. If he was a life-long Leeds fan, a hero to the people, then he would understand that what he is doing is stupid."