While grasstrack racing in 1938 he was spotted by former Wimbledon rider Claude Rye, who arranged for French to try out for the Dons, and he was taken on as a junior.
[2] In 1939, he rode in the Wimbledon Dons team at reserve, before his career was interrupted by World War II.
[2][3][4] He spent four years with Wembley Lions from 1953 to 1956,[5] winning the 1953 league title and the 1954 National Trophy and London Cup double.
French finished runner-up to Alec Statham in the London Riders' Championship in 1949 after a run-off.
[6] He appeared in the 1949 film Once a Jolly Swagman, for which the racing scenes were shot at New Cross.