[1][2] Turner was born in Stoke-upon-Trent but started his football career at Black Lane Rovers F.C.
[3] The following year he moved to Bolton Wanderers where he spent six seasons making 103 appearances for the "Trotters" before joining his home town club Stoke in August 1894.
[1] In the 1894–95 season Stoke struggled and had to play a test match against Newton Heath to remain in the First Division, Stoke won the match 3–0 and stayed up.
[1] Turner established himself at left half for the 1895–96 season making 27 appearances.
[1] He joined Derby County in 1896 where he spent two seasons reaching the 1898 FA Cup Final losing out to Nottingham Forest before he re-joined Stoke in 1898.