Lister played in the Juniors for Oakley United, Camelon Juniors and Bathgate Thistle and in the Scottish Football League for Stenhousemuir, Berwick Rangers, Alloa Athletic, Brechin City, Dumbarton, Airdrieonians and Forfar Athletic.
[4] In 2008, he moved up to the Scottish Football League for the first time, playing as a trialist for Stenhousemuir against Dumbarton on 18 March.
[9] Lister then dropped back down into the Juniors, having been linked with a number of clubs,[10] before signing for Bathgate Thistle.
[11] On 19 June 2010, he joined Second Division club Alloa Athletic[12] saying he had wanted the chance to return to senior football.
[18] Lister joined Forfar in summer 2016[19] In November 2017, he announced his retirement, having suffered an injury that was expected to keep him out until at least the end of the season.