Able to play at half-back or as a forward, he began his professional career with Burslem Port Vale in February 1907.

Failing to make an impression in London, he returned to Port Vale in 1909 and scored a club record 43 goals in the 1909–10 season.

Brough played for Smallthorne before he joined Burslem Port Vale as an amateur in the autumn of 1906, signing professional forms in February 1907.

[4] He moved on from playing reserve team football at Anfield, and signed with Second Division side Bristol City in January 1912.

[1] Brough then left The Old Recreation Ground after feeling that he was too "worn out" to continue to play professional football.