Leach was a founder member of Oxford University A.F.C. in 1871, shortly after his arrival at the university. He played regularly for the club, and was chosen to play in the 1873 FA Cup Final against Wanderers. Although he began the game as Oxford's goalkeeper, later in the game he switched to playing as a forward, as Oxford chose to play without a goalkeeper. Oxford lost the game 2–0, with the second goal blamed on the absence of a goalkeeper.