Born in Nowshera, British India, Hunter played for Aston Villa, Oldham Athletic and Chelsea during his early career.

[2] He captained the club during the 1914–15 season and stayed with United until January 1915, when his contract was cancelled due to a training ground incident.

[2] He played for Croydon Common, Southampton, Brentford and Birmingham as a guest player during the First World War and finished his career with Portsmouth of the Southern League during the 1919–20 season.

[1][3][4] Hunter joined the Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment of the British Army in December 1903, rising through the ranks to lance corporal by February 1906.

[2] He was sent to France to join the 9th (Service) Battalion in August 1916, but bouts of dysentery saw him posted back to Britain as a fitness instructor.