[2] Burgess was born in Church Lawton and played amateur football with Butt Lane Swifts before joining Stoke in 1901, he apparently signed the contract with Stoke whilst sitting on a haystack at his father's farm.
[2] He soon became a regular member of Horace Austerberry's squad at a time when Stoke were struggling financially it came as a welcome relief to find a very capable local player.
He was a solid defender who produce some hard but fair challenges on opponents.
[3][4] His time at Hyde Road was hampered by a knee injury which eventually caused him to retire.
28 Casualty Clearing Station in Fouilloy, France and latterly at 49th Stationary Hospital in Bralos, Greece.