He joined Barnsley in August 1911, shortly before his twentieth birthday, and was brought into the first team to replace the injured Bert Leavey in the third replay of the Fourth Round FA Cup match against Bradford City on 21 March 1912. He retained his place for the 1912 FA Cup Final which Barnsley won 1–0 in extra time in a replay after the first game ended goalless. He had a good shot saved in the first match but the Manchester Guardian felt he didn't get enough passes in the replay and did not have much impact on the game.