He was converted to full back while playing for Birmingham City's reserve team, and made his first-team debut in that position in January 1951, though did not become a regular for the first team until 1953. He was part of the Birmingham City side that won the Second Division Championship in the 1954–55 Football League season. In 1955–56, he was part of the team that reached the club's highest ever finishing position, sixth in the First Division, and the Cup Final, losing 3–1 to Manchester City. He also played in Birmingham's Inter-Cities Fairs Cup campaign.