However, he failed to make a first-team appearance for the club and moved on a free transfer to Football League Third Division North side Barrow the following year.
While the game was in progress, Laycock was called from the field of play to sign for Third Division North rivals Nelson, before completing the rest of the match for Barrow.
[3] In the summer of 1926 Laycock moved into non-League football with Mansfield Town, where he spent one season before returning to the Third Division North with New Brighton.
His record of 14 goals in 35 matches helped Darlington to a third-placed finish in the league, but Laycock was released at the end of the season and signed for York City.
He made his debut for them in the 3–2 defeat against his former club Mansfield Town on 29 August 1931, and scored his first goal for the side in the following fixture, a 4–1 victory over Watford at the County Ground.
[4] After leaving Swindon in July 1933, he had a spell in Northern Ireland with Derry City before returning to the English non-League game with Witton Albion in October 1934.