He spent time on their books in 1930 before returning to County Durham, where he played as a centre forward and "prolific goal scorer" for Spen Black and White and moved on to Spennymoor United in May 1931.
The transfer took place at a fee of £250, reported as a Spennymoor club record, Reed received a signing-on bonus of £5 and wages of £4 10s a week, and he went straight into Everton's reserve team for their next match.
[9] He moved on to Bristol City – a Second Division club, but one whose relegation was already confirmed – in time to make his Football League debut in the last home match of that season, against Manchester United on 28 April 1932.
In mid-November 1933, with the club thirteen matches into the season and still without a win,[11] Reed came into the side for the visit to Cardiff City in place of the captain, Ted Bowen, who was rested.
[14] Reed was unable to force himself back into the team ahead of either Bowen or Joe Riley, and he moved on to another Third Division South club, Newport County, in February 1934.
In 1936 and 1937, he worked with Alan Green's Band,[21][22] and in March 1938 – after 23 League appearances for Gateshead that produced just two goals[3] – he decided to quit football and concentrate on a musical career.