Pagnam, the son of a bank manager, was born in Poulton-le-Fylde, Lancashire, where he attended Baines Grammar School.

[3] By early 1913, the club was struggling financially, and the directors offered the players a choice: a wage cut or a free transfer.

[7] He scored just once in 23 Second Division appearances, spent time with another Midland League team, Gainsborough Trinity,[3] and signed for Liverpool in 1914.

Pagnam continued to play for Liverpool during the war,[8] as well as making guest appearances for teams including Arsenal, Belfast Celtic and Blackpool.

[1] When football resumed after hostilities ceased, he played only eight more matches for the club before being sold to Arsenal for a £1,500 fee in October 1919.

[5] Pagnam then coached in the Netherlands at DWV, HVV Den Haag, De Volewijckers, HFC Haarlem and CVV Vriendenschaar.