He also played for Tottenham Hotspur, Bolton Wanderers, Notts County and York City.

He joined his hometown club Nottingham Forest in 1981, where he won the first of his seven England under-21 international caps.

Having made 134 appearances and scored 2 goals for Forest, he moved to Tottenham Hotspur in June 1987, with the transfer fee set by tribunal at £387,000.

After failing to reclaim his place in Terry Venables' team, Fairclough joined Leeds United on loan in March 1989.

However, he eventually lost his place in the side and moved to Bolton Wanderers in July 1995 for the same fee he joined the club for, having made 240 appearances scoring 23 goals.