Anderson was born in Edinburgh and played as a centre half, initially for Leith Athletic in the inaugural seasons of the Scottish Football League.
He replaced Jack Barton at centre-half, forming a half-back line-up with Jimmy Forrest and Geordie Dewar which was to remain at the heart of the Rovers' defence for the next three seasons, during which their league campaigns ended with finishes in ninth, fourth and fifth places, respectively.
[5] Anderson left Blackburn Rovers for the first time in 1896; during his initial spell at the club he scored 11 goals in 131 league games.
Two of these goals were game-winners: firstly, in a single-goal victory over Burslem Port Vale at Bloomfield Road on New Year's Day, 1902, and then in another one-goal game at Newton Heath on 25 January.
[6] In 1903–04, Anderson made 21 appearances and scored seven goals, including another hat-trick, this time in a 4–1 home victory over Burton United on 20 February 1904.