Fearnley started his career at Rochdale Hornets and went on to play for Oldham,[1] Halifax, Featherstone Rovers and Batley, as second-row.
[2] After retiring as a player, he coached at club level for Halifax, Bradford Northern, Batley, and Blackpool Borough.
[3] Fearnley played at second-row in Halifax's 4–8 defeat by Warrington in the 1954 Challenge Cup Final replay during the 1953–54 season at Odsal Stadium, Bradford on Wednesday 5 May 1954, in front of a record crowd of 102,575 or more.
[4] Fearnley was the coach in Halifax's 15–7 victory over St. Helens in the 1964–65 Championship Final during the 1964–65 season at Station Road, Swinton on Saturday 22 May 1965.
His other son, Gordon, was a professional footballer who played for Sheffield Wednesday, Bristol Rovers and Fort Lauderdale Strikers.