Belcher started his career with Collingwood but it was with Essendon that he established himself as one of the premier ruckmen in the league.

Known as "King Belcher" formed a combination in the ruck with Fred Baring and Ernie Cameron,[2] culminating in premiership success in 1912.

He was captain-coach of Essendon in 1910 and represented Victoria at interstate football in patches during his career.

From 1912 to 1915 he captained the club and again in 1919 but it would be his final season, a broken toe forcing him to retire.

[3] On 2 July 1921 – just two years after his last VFL game – Belcher succumbed to general paralysis in the Kew Hospital for the Insane.