Rochford was born at New House, County Durham into a mining family, and as a youth he played for the Esh Winning junior XI.
Rochford (known as "Rockie" throughout his career) made his debut for Portsmouth against Southampton in the Rowland Hospital Cup at The Dell in April 1932.
Rochford soon became automatic choice as team captain, and, according to Holley & Chalk's "In That Number" he "was a father figure to many of the younger and less experienced players",[4] including Alf Ramsey and Bill Ellerington, who were vying for the right-back position.
Although Rochford was strongly tipped for the job, being the players' choice, his application was turned down in favour of Sid Cann.
Although appointed player-coach under Cann, Rochford was disappointed and after missing out on promotion yet again at the end of the 1949-50 season, he left the club in July 1950 to join Colchester United.