Born in Airdrie, McFarlane began his career with local side Airdrieonians, before moving to England to play for Bootle.
[5] He immediately became the club's first-choice right-back and played in all but four league matches during the season, scoring once in a 5–0 win at home to Walsall Town Swifts on 5 March 1892,[6] as he secured his third successive second-place finish.
[7] He also played in four FA Cup matches (although the second round qualifying match was technically a friendly after their opponents, Heywood, were disqualified from the competition) and the Manchester Senior Cup semi-final defeat to Bolton Wanderers.
[6] At the end of the season, while on holiday back home in Airdrie, he re-signed for Airdrieonians after being allowed to resume his amateur status.
[8] McFarlane was married to a sister of the Doughty brothers, Jack and Roger, who also played for Newton Heath in their pre-League days.