His career with the Oldham club began in a game versus Belle Vue Rangers at Watersheddings on January 20, 1951.

[6] In the 1954-55 season Oldham lost 2–12 to Barrow in the Lancashire Cup Final at Station Road, Swinton on Saturday 23 October 1954.

In the 1956 final, Stirrup played stand-off, and was captain in Oldham's 10–3 victory over St. Helens at Station Road, Swinton on Saturday 20 October 1956.

Due to injury, he missed the 13–8 victory over Wigan in the 1957 Lancashire Cup Final at Station Road, Swinton on Saturday 19 October 1957.

However he would play scrum-half, and captain the team, the next season in their 12–2 victory over St. Helens in the 1958 Lancashire Cup Final at Station Road, Swinton on Saturday 25 October 1958.