An outside right, Ford began his career with non-league clubs Fulham Amateurs and Tunbridge Wells Rangers. He transferred to First Division club Chelsea in April 1912 for a fee of £50, plus a further £50 if he played 10 first team matches. He was a part of the Chelsea team which reached the 1915 FA Cup Final and played his final match for the club in November 1923, by which time he had made 247 appearances and scored 46 goals.