During his playing days he lined out for several clubs, including Crewe United, Cliftonville and Omagh Town.

Wilson joined Lámh Dhearg as a 17-year-old and was part of the club's first ever Antrim MFC title-winning team in 1988.

That same year Wilson was drafted onto the Antrim senior football team and lined out in the All-Ireland SBFC final defeat by Wicklow.

Usually lining out at midfield, he played for Northern Ireland Football League clubs Crewe United, Cliftonville, Carrick Rangers, Ballyclare Comrades, Larne, Omagh Town and Bangor.

He worked as a teacher, where he was head of the PE department at Our Lady and St Patrick's College in Knock.