Born in Cheadle, Stockport,[nb 1] Burton played for Kilburn before joining Queens Park Rangers in the close season of 1910.

[3] He made his debut for West Ham on 5 October 1912 in a 3–1 win at home to Plymouth Argyle, replacing the injured Harry Forster.

[8] After hostilities ended, West Ham were successful in their application to join the Football League for the upcoming 1919–20 season, and Burton formed part of the team that competed in the Second Division for the first time in the club's history.

He gained winners' medals in the London Football Association Professional Charity Fund Cup in 1919 and 1920, with both finals contested against rival club Millwall.

[12] Burton's move to Charlton had coincided with the club's conversion to professionalism and he was a part of the first line-up to compete in the Football League, alongside the likes of Arthur Whalley and Harold Halse.

[13] He participated in Charlton's FA Cup run in 1922–23, which saw them beat Manchester City, Preston North End and West Bromwich Albion to reach the fourth round.

[11] He was given the nickname Bronco while at West Ham due to his "loping gait and extraordinary onfield contortions", for which he was likened to a cowboy's horse.