He played inside-left in the Erdington (Birmingham) Schoolboys team which won the English Schools Trophy in 1964. Already claimed by Walsall, he made no Football League appearances in his year as a professional though he had made his début against Swindon Town in 1966—67 while still apprenticed. After six years at Port Vale as a midfielder (189 appearances), he joined Southport who made a handsome profit from a player who came on a free transfer. It was Gordon Lee who recommended coach Matt Woods to step in for Bobby Gough while he was manager of Blackburn Rovers. His skill and resourcefulness made him a firm favourite with Haig Avenue supporters and he finished the highest scorer in each of his two seasons. He was transferred to Colchester United for only half the £15,000 fee that former Chairman Tom Robinson sought. He blossomed into a regular marksman as his career developed and was twice Colchester’s top scorer; during his five years with the club he scored 65 goals in 195 games, bringing his Football League totals to 412 appearances and 114 goals. He later regretted leaving Colchester over a dispute with the manager but has settled happily in rural Essex, playing out his career with Chelmsford. He is now working in the building and construction industry and playing for Colchester United’s ‘veterans.’

Profile reproduced with Permission from:
The Sandgrounders: The Complete League History of Southport F. C., by Michael Braham and Geoff Wilde (Palatine Books, 1995). ISBN 978-1-874181-14-9