Born in Hayfield, Derbyshire, he began his playing career in local-league football with Godley Athletic and Copley Celtic.
He found it difficult to supplant Abbott and hence it was almost a year before he made his Nelson debut in the 3–3 draw with Chesterfield on 20 April 1926.
He remained in goal for the following five matches, but the team suffered defeat in all five games and Mace was dropped following a 2–7 loss away at New Brighton.
During his time with Nelson, Mace was a regular starter for the reserve team and missed only one match as the side won the Lancashire Combination in 1925–26.
He was offered a contract by the club for the 1927–28 season, but he rejected it and opted instead to move into non-League football with Macclesfield Town, where he ended his career.