[3][4] Turner was born in Brithdir, Caerphilly and, after school, he joined the Welch Regiment where he had a reputation as an all-round sportsman winning medals for rugby, athletics and hockey with Army teams, as well as playing football.
On leaving the army, he returned to his place of birth where he made four appearances for the village team before a trial with Charlton Athletic.
[2] Turner signed in August 1933 and made his first team debut in the Football League Third Division South, with twenty appearances at centre half in the 1933–34 season as Charlton finished fifth in the table.
In the next season, he started off at centre half, playing alongside Bill Dodgin and Frank Harris before the arrival of Don Welsh in February led to him being moved to right back.
By now, Turner's club form had brought him to the notice of the Welsh selectors and he made his international debut at Ninian Park on 17 October 1936 in a 2–1 victory over England.
[10] Turner thus became the first player to score for both sides in an FA Cup Final,[3] a feat subsequently repeated by Tommy Hutchison in 1981 and Gary Mabbutt in 1987.
Turner played one more season with Charlton, but was no longer a regular choice, and was used as cover for Peter Croker at right back or Herbert Johnson at right-half.