Lilley started his career playing for his home-town club of Staveley before he was signed by Sheffield United in the summer of 1890.
[1] He played regularly for the Blades for two seasons but once they were elected to the Football League his appearances became less frequent.
[1] Shortly after his death in 1900 a writer in the Sheffield Daily Telegraph issue of 28 September 1900 commented on him being a "very fine and scrupulously fair back.
"[2] Along with fellow United player Michael Whitham, Lilley was selected for an international trial in February 1892 and made his one and only appearance for England the following month against Wales.
This biographical article related to association football in England, about a defender born in the 1860s, is a stub.