Bugden grew up in northern New South Wales and attended Murwillimbah High School where he played rugby union.
Bugden played with the St George Dragons' Presidents Cup side in 1954 aged 18 and late that season appeared in reserve grade.
He made his first grade debut still aged 18 in the Dragon's premiership semi-final victory over North Sydney in 1954 and two weeks later appeared and scored a try in the final against Newtown which St George lost 27–3.
His first full year in first grade was in 1955, learning the ropes against the powerful South Sydney Rabbitohs champion outfit to whom his side again bowed out in the premiership final with Bugden again scoring a try.
In Bugden's representative career he was vying against the incumbent national half-back, Queenslander Barry Muir, who was generally preferred by selectors.