In a short but brilliant football career interrupted by World War II and ended by injury, Fothergill was recognized as one of the finest small players of his era, winning almost every available accolade at both club and league level.

Fothergill made an impact straight away as he played brilliant football, winning a Copeland Trophy as Collingwood's best and fairest in his debut season.

When the VFA resumed competition in 1945, Fothergill, having never formally been cleared from the club, returned to Collingwood that season after his three-year VFL ban for crossing without a clearance expired.

The award for the best young player in the modern Victorian Football League (which is the successor to the former VFA) is named the Fothergill–Round–Mitchell Medal in honour of Fothergill, Barry Round and Sam Mitchell.

[7] He played district cricket for Northcote, appearing in 149 matches between 1935–36 and 1952–53 with strong all-round performances, averaging 41.05 with the bat and taking 122 wickets at 27.35 with the ball.