He played in The Football League for Chester City and enjoyed a long association with non-league side Colwyn Bay.
Brett represented Flintshire as a schoolboy[1] and then became part of a Chester youth setup which also included Ian Rush and other future first team players such as Richie Gendall, Paul Needham and Peter Zelem.
[1] His made his league debut for Chester in a 1–1 draw with Northampton Town on the opening day of the season, with his first goal following against Bristol City on 31 December 1983.
His final appearance for Chester came in a 6–3 win at Preston North End on 12 October 1985, when he played the whole match despite suffering an eye injury.
[1] His spell back at the club included playing in a surprise Welsh Cup victory at Wrexham in 1992.