Surtees arrived at Hillsborough in November 1934 and contrary to his earlier career, his fine form was an eye-opener, so much so that he was given a first team chance on Christmas Day 1934 in a 2–0 home victory against Birmingham City when Ronnie Starling was rested. Surtees retained his place, even though Starling returned to the side with Harry Burgess losing his position in the team after a fall out with the manager. Surtees played all but one of the remaining 28 matches that season, including six FA Cup ties as Wednesday won the trophy at Wembley. Surtees lost his place in the Wednesday side in early 1936 with the emergence of a young Jackie Robinson and was transferred to Nottingham Forest in October 1936 for a fee of £2,500.