In the early hours of 15 September 1925, Nelson representatives visited the mine where Earle had just completed a night shift and signed him on a free transfer.
The team had a game later that day and Earle travelled to Nelson to play the match, making his debut in the 2–2 draw with Ashington despite having had no sleep during the night.
At the end of the 1925–26 campaign several First Division clubs, including Liverpool, Everton and Aston Villa, declared their interest in Earle, but Nelson declined all approaches for the player.
Earle spent five years with the Lincolnshire club before moving back into league football when he signed for Third Division South outfit Crystal Palace in the summer of 1933.
Altogether, Earle managed three goals in 10 league appearances for the club, before leaving in August 1934 to return to non-league football with Gresley Rovers.