A forward, he began his football career with Bromsgrove Rovers[1] before joining Small Heath in September 1898.

[2] He made his debut in the Second Division on 17 September 1898 in a 3–1 win at home to Barnsley, and played 17 first-team games over the next two seasons,[3] but never established himself in the side.

[4] His 14 goals made him Preston's leading scorer for 1901–02,[5] and two years later he helped them win the Second Division title.

[1] Two seasons back in the Second Division, with Leicester Fosse and West Bromwich Albion, preceded the last move of his career, a return to Plymouth, in May 1908.

[2] In each of the seven seasons before the First World War put a stop to competitive football, Wilcox played at least 30 games.