He joined Partick Thistle in 1929[4] and went on to make 119 appearances in all competitions for them,[5] most notably in the 1930 Scottish Cup Final, which was won by Rangers after a replay at Hampden Park.
[6][7] His performances for Thistle made him a target for the Glasgow giants, but Plymouth Argyle manager Bob Jack secured Rae's services in 1932 (along with forward John Simpson) after Partick played a benefit match at Home Park.
When war intervened in 1939, Rae continued to play for Argyle in wartime competitions, bringing his total of club appearances to 283.
[1] Rae played for Scotland Schoolboys and caught the attention of the senior national team selectors on many occasions during his professional career, being called up to the stand-by list three times, but he never won a full international cap.
When hostilities had ended in 1945 he was appointed as assistant to Argyle manager Jack Tresadern as the Football League resumed.