So discontented was Surtees with his football career at this point that he agreed a release from his contract with Northampton and arranged to emigrate to North America.
However his brother Albert, who had played at Aston Villa in 1924 with Sheffield Wednesday boss Billy Walker managed to arrange a months trial for Surtees at Hillsborough.
Surtees arrived at Hillsborough in November 1934 and contrary to his earlier career, his fine form was an eye-opener, so much so that he was given a first team chance on Christmas Day 1934 in a 2–0 home victory against Birmingham City when Ronnie Starling was rested.
Surtees retained his place, even though Starling returned to the side with Harry Burgess losing his position in the team after a fall out with the manager.
Surtees lost his place in the Wednesday side in early 1936 with the emergence of a young Jackie Robinson and was transferred to Nottingham Forest in October 1936 for a fee of £2,500.