An inside left or centre forward, he played in the Football League for Blackpool, Oldham Athletic and West Bromwich Albion, but was also on the books of Stockport County and Manchester City.
Born in Levenshulme, Hancock began his career with Cheshire club Melrose, followed by a stint with Port Sunlight.
After a spell with Stockport County, he joined Blackpool, then under the managership of club secretary Tom Barcroft.
In his one season with "the Seasiders", in 1905–06, he was the club's joint-top scorer in the League, alongside Jimmy Connor and an E. Francis, with six goals.
He also scored three goals in that season's FA Cup, as Blackpool made it to the Third Round, to become the outright top scorer.