Vernon was born in Jocelyn Avenue, Belfast and when he left school he initially entered the family butcher business.
Together with Jimmy McAlinden, Billy McMillan, Tommy Breen and Charlie Tully, he was a prominent member of the Celtic team managed by Elisha Scott.
Vernon eventually signed for West Bromwich Albion in February 1947 for a club record fee of £9,500.
In 1949 he captained a West Brom team that also included Davy Walsh and Reg Ryan to promotion from the English Second Division.
[2] When Vernon began his international career in 1944 there were in effect, two Ireland teams, chosen by two rival associations.
This team was basically a Great Britain XI and featured, among others, Matt Busby, Stanley Matthews, Tommy Lawton and Stan Mortensen.
Vernon also helped the IFA XI gain some further respectable results, including a 2–0 win against Scotland on 4 October 1947 and a 2–2 draw with England at Goodison Park on 5 November 1947.
In June 1946 when the FAI organised an Iberian tour, Vernon, together with Jimmy McAlinden, Billy McMillan and Paddy Sloan, was one of four Northern Irish players called up.