He began his career at Evesham Star and Worcester City before joining Second Division club Birmingham in 1907.

These included the first hat trick scored at their new Highbury stadium (against Grimsby Town on 14 November 1914), and two four-goal hauls against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Nottingham Forest.

King's 29 goals that season were an all-time club record at the time, remaining so until Jimmy Brain broke it in 1925–26.

However, Arsenal's defence let them down and they only finished fifth, outside of the promotion places; eventually, they were re-elected back to the First Division when football resumed after the end of the First World War.

[3] King had spent the war with the Royal Garrison Artillery in Italy, and also made over 30 appearances in unofficial wartime matches for Arsenal.