Derby Midland had formed in 1881 and their most significant achievement as a club had occurred the previous season to Latham signing which was reaching the FA Cup third round.1883–84 FA Cup Arthur Latham signed for Derby County before the Football League era began in 1886.
In the first season Latham was on Derby County' books they reached the FA Cup second round and defeated Aston Villa 2–0.
[2] Arthur Latham made his League debut on 8 September 1888, playing as a full–back, at Pike's Lane, the then home of Bolton Wanderers.
Arthur Latham appeared in 20 of the 22 League matches played by Derby County in season 1888–89.
As a full–back (20 appearances) he played in a Derby County defence that achieved two clean–sheets and restricted the opposition to one–League–goal–in–a–match on four separate occasions.