He began his football career with local clubs before attracting attention with his goalscoring exploits for Mansfield Wesley of the Notts & District League.
[3][4] He made his debut for the club on 2 October 1909 in a 2–1 home defeat to Leeds City, and played in about half of that season's games, scoring five goals in a poor side which finished bottom of the League.
[5] Despite a good start to his Birmingham career,[3] Needham was allowed to leave for fellow Second Division club Wolverhampton Wanderers in time to score on his debut in the last game of the 1909–10 season, the winning goal in a 3–2 defeat of Manchester City on 30 April 1910.
[6] He and Sammy Brooks formed an excellent partnership on the left side of Wolves' attack,[3] and in all competitions Needham scored 61 goals in more than 200 appearances.
[8] He left in March 1920 to join Hull City,[3] and later played in the Birmingham & District League for Willenhall and Cannock Town.