Boyes was born in Upperthorpe, Sheffield. After playing for Sheffield Boys and Woodhouse Mills United, he turned professional with West Bromwich Albion in February 1931. He scored in the 4–2 1935 FA Cup Final defeat to Sheffield Wednesday, the club he supported as a boy. In February 1938 Boyes joined Everton for a £6000 fee and instantly formed a great left wing partnership with Alex Stevenson, which helped the side clinch the 1938/39 league title.