He played as a forward for several teams including Sheffield Wednesday, Notts County and Aston Villa.

When Sewell captained the newly independent nation of Zambia in October 1964, he became one of the few footballers who have played for two different countries.

Sewell was spotted by Notts County in a Cumberland League match against Workington, leading to a trial.

He was an important member of the team which won the Football League Third Division South for the 1949–50 season.

He signed for Sheffield Wednesday in March 1951, playing 175 games and scoring 92 goals in his four years at Hillsborough.